Senior PAR program to expand to the Nevada area

By Ben Holman

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada seniors will soon have a new mobility resource at their disposal -- Care Connections, in conjunction with the Nevada Housing Authority, is expanding the Provide-A-Ride program into the area.

Provide-A-Ride is a volunteer transportation service that was developed to provide transportation service to those older adults who would otherwise have no way of accessing essential services. Because the program's funding is very limited and has been earmarked for senior services, PAR is only available to seniors and not to others in the community who need transportation.

The program is currently searching for qualifying individuals who are in need of transportation and volunteers who would be willing to provide rides. Volunteer drivers receive supplemental liability insurance, mileage reimbursement, and are recognized at an annual event.

Since the program is just getting started in Vernon County, PAR will focus mainly on providing rides to doctor's appointments and the like.

According to Nancy Brawley, director of operations for Care Connections, if the program receives enough support they hope to expand to allow for trips to the market, beauty salon or any other needs of Vernon County seniors.

"It's just a small program," said Brawley, "but it's been very successful in the communities where it is already in place. We're just trying to fill gaps in service -- if OATS doesn't exist in your area or someone needs to go to the doctor." It's not a comprehensive service at this time.

Many of their volunteer drivers are also seniors who want to give back to the community or are just looking for something to do, but they welcome volunteers of any age. In areas where the program has been around longer, some of the original volunteers are now using the service themselves.

As a whole the program makes approximately 7,500 trips per year in the 13 counties where the program is in place. "It's a very small program, but it's very helpful," said Brawley.

While PAR is an all volunteer transportation service, contributions are accepted in order make it possible to serve as many Vernon County seniors as possible.

Anyone who would like to become involved in the Provide-A-Ride service, either as a volunteer driver or as a client, contact Melanie at the Nevada Housing Authority at (417) 448-2791.