Scott/Carver Mobility Management – Hop Scott Volunteer Program

Scott/Carver Counties Mobility Management’s Hop Scott program started as volunteer transportation offering food deliveries. It added citizen transport for non-emergency medical needs, transports for mental health, vets helping vets transportation, and now coordination with MiCASA to assist the Latino population in Scott County. With three, county-owned accessible vans driven by volunteers, this service is managed by two full-time mobility managers who also coordinate with public transit, oversee non-emergency medical transportation, problem solve for transportation options with County Human Services and recommend fixed route public transit solutions.

What makes this innovative?

The Hop Scott volunteer program is meeting multiple community needs and has started two new options with its wheelchair accessible vans, including coordination with MiCASA, a group focused on the needs of the Latino population throughout Scott County. First, the vans pick up food at local markets for distribution to the community, and second they help Latinos get to medical appointments and pre-school screenings.

With a Live Well at Home grant funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Hop Scott has 10 active volunteers who use either the accessible vans or their own vehicles with mileage reimbursement. The program is focused on older adults and people with disabilities to help them stay in their homes. Food delivery has been promoted with marketing flyers in both English and Spanish. Other Hop Scott marketing comprises of social and print media including Facebook, NextDoor, radio ads, and newspapers, which is also considered for language translation, as needed.

Lessons Learned and Replication Advice:

› Balance marketing with volunteer recruitment to meet ride demand.

› Consider nontraditional volunteers. Hop Scott has one volunteer who is under 30 and works full time but is willing to help in the evening or on weekends.

› Secure county support with grants and matching funds along with support from local communities. Hop Scott has county funding through 2027 using local transportation tax dollars.

› Partner with local service organizations to recruit volunteer drivers.

› Acquire strong commitments from managers of the food programs who appreciate the impact of food delivery on local communities.