Ready Ride Application

Ready Ride is a volunteer staffed program, where the volunteer uses their personal vehicles to assist program clients in transportation. Due to the nature of the services, we ask that you are patient with the drivers, and allow them 10 minutes before and after the scheduled pickup time.

Due to the volunteer nature of the program, we do ask that you request a ride with a minimum of one week notice prior to the required travel date. We also cannot guarantee that rides will be picked up by a volunteer.

If you need assistance in or out of the vehicle, or into or out of the building, please notify Ready Ride or your driver. If able, we would love to assist you.

If you are 60 years of age or older and live in our five county service area (Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse) there is no charge to use this service. You are not limited to travel within these counties, but you must reside in one of these counties to qualify for no-charge travel. Ready Ride reserves the right to implement cost-sharing fees or other fees, but will provide all riders with at least 30 days notice of such implementation.

The Ready Ride program is paid for under Title III funding. Under Title III, we must provide riders the opportunity to donate for the cost of rides. The suggested donation is income based. Each month we will send a donation request and an invoice for the amount which the previous month's ride would have cost. An actual donation is not required and the invoice is not actually a bill. Rather, this fulfills our requirement to make donations to the program available to our riders, under the guidelines of Title III. Making or not making a donation will have no effect whatsoever on the high quality of service you will receive from Ready Ride.

Due to liability reasons, Ready Ride is not able to transport riders who are under the influence of alcohol or illegal intoxicants of any kind.

West Central MN Communities Action, INC. (WCMCA) is committed to providing the best service possible for all our clients. The information requested in this application is used to inform funding sources of our activities and is often required for their records. We measure our progress and work to improve our outcomes each year, with a goal of meeting or exceeding the needs of all our clients.

Once we have your completed application, we will call to inform you of your program eligibility. We may also schedule a meeting to finish your onboarding to the Ready Ride program. We will go over all program details at this point in the process.

We at WCMCA's Ready Ride program are excited to work with you! If you have any questions, please contact us directly.

John Przybylski
WCMCA Ready Ride
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
(218) 685-7433
john@wcmca.org

As your rides are provided by volunteer drivers, we ask that you read and agree to the following terms to ensure comfort for all parties involved.

1. Avoid discussing controversial issues with your driver. Such topics include but are not limited to the following: Religious positions, political matters, social issues such as race, gender, sexual orientation.

2. Call Ready Ride directly to schedule a ride at 218-685-7433. Do not call a driver.

3. No passengers under 18 are allowed.

4. No ride is guaranteed. Requests will be put out to the volulnteers, and you will be alerted if someone picks it up.

5. Smoking and vaping during rides is prohibited. Please ask your driver about eating or drinking beverages in their car.

6. Service animals are always welcome to accompany you on your rides. However, you must alert us if you will be having a pet join you so we can make sure the driver is not allergic to the animal.

7. If you will be accompanied by a spouse, friend, or support person, please contact us before the ride so that we can note that on the ride.

8. Ready Ride will supply you with a File of Life card. Please carry this card with you when using the Ready Ride service. In case of an emergency situation, this card will hold information vital to assisting you. Any time you have information that needs updating on this card, please reach out to us to have it updated immediately.

9. Ready Ride holds the right to deny rides if riders do not follow this code of conduct.

Why?
1. To determine your eligibility in our programs and suggest other programs.
2. So we can report the number of individuals our Agency has served and continue to receive funding for those services.
3. So we can determine the services needed by individuals in our communities.

Your Rights:
1. You have the right to see and obtain copies of the data maintained on you. (Unless we cannot give it because of certain legal proceedings)

2. You have the right to be told the contents and meaning of the data.

3. You have the right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the data.

To exercise these rights, contact (in writing):

Missy Becker-Cook, Chief Executive Director
West Central MN Communities Action, Inc.
411 Industrial Park Blvd
Elbow Lake, MN 56531

If you need some type of assistance or accommodation to fully use our services, please tell any staff member. If you believe West Central MN Communities Action, Inc. has discriminated against you, or if you believe we have not accommodated your need, you may file a complaint with:

Missy Becker-Cook, Chief Executive Director
West Central MN Communities Action, Inc.
411 Industrial Park Blvd
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
1-218-685-4486, Ext. 0
1-800-492-4805, Ext. 7063

Grievance Policy Procedure
Step 1: The Ready Ride client shall discuss the grievance with the Service Provider and attempt to resolve the grievance informally. A copy will be given to the Director.
Step 2: In the event the grievance is not resolved in Step 1), the grievance shall be reduced to writing and served to the Director within 15 days after the date of the first event giving rise to the grievance. The Director shall submit a written decision to the Ready Ride client, the Service Provider, and the Chief Executive Officer, within 10 days of the date the written grievance is received.
Step 3: In the event the grievance is not resolved, the grievance may be appealed to the Chief Executive Officer within 10 days of the decision rendered in Step 2). The Chief Executive Officer shall hear the grievance at their earliest possible convenience. Said hearing shall be held no sooner than 10 days and no more than 30 days following receipt of the appeal. The Chief Executive Officer will submit a decision within 10 days of said meeting.
Step 4: In the event the grievance is not resolved, the grievance may be immediately appealed to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will submit a decision within 10 days of receiving the appeal and their decision shall be final.

Any program related complaints, grievances, or concerns should be addressed using the procedures outlines above. Contacts for those procedures are listed below.

Service Provider: John Przybylski
218-685-7433

Director: Paige Carlson
1-218-685-4486, Ext. 7026

Chief Executive Officer:Missy Becker-Cook
1-218-685-4486, Ext. 7063

Board of Directors

Client Rights
Services of this program are provided in accordance with Department of Human Rights Affirmative Action and Non-Discrimination requirements and is for use by all people aged 60 and over, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status regarding public assistance, membership or activity in local commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age.

1) The right to receive services according to a suitable and current plan.
2) The right to refuse services.
3) The right to know about the capabilties and limitations of services provided by WCMCA.
4) The right to be served by people who are properly trained and capable of performing associated duties.
5) The right to have medical, financial, and personal records kept private.
6) The right to be treated with courtesy, respect, and be free from physical or verbal abuse.
7) The right to be allowed access to records and written information from records in accordance with state statutes.

Client Responsibilities
1) Participate in the development and execution of the service plan.
2) Provide a safe work environment for our staff/volunteers.
3) Notify our office at least 24 hours in advance when scheduled visits cannot be kept.

Why do we ask for this information?

• Tell you from other persons who have the same name or a similar name.
• Decide if you are eligible to receive services from West Central MN Communities Action Inc.
• Assist you in getting medical, mental health, financial, or social services from outside agencies.
• Make reports, research, audit, and evaluate our programs.
• Advocate for additional services as determined by your needs.

Do you have to answer the questions we ask?

Generally, the law does not say you have to give us information. However, without some of the information requested, we may not be able to find the appropriate help for you. Giving us incorrect information or not providing complete information may delay or eliminate some services you would be eligible to receive.

With whom may we share the information we are requesting?

The following are examples of agencies or organizations we may need to share information with on your behalf and are not intended to provide a complete list. This does not mean we always share information about you with these people.

• Social Services
• Minnesota Office of Economic Opportunity
• Mental health centers
• Housing and Urban Development
• Child support workers
• Community Food Shelves
• Medical facilities
• Higher education facilities
• Minnesota Department of Economic Security
• Court Officials
• Minnesota Housing
• Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Anyone else the law says we must provide information to.

You have the right to copies of information about you:

You may ask if we have any information about you. If we have information about you, you may ask for copies. You may have to pay for these copies. You may give other people permission in writing to see and have copies of private data about you. If you have any questions about the information, you may ask to have it explained to you.

How do you appeal if you think the information is not accurate or complete?

Your objection must be in writing and must be sent to:
Missy Becker-Cook, Chief Executive Director
West Central MN Communities Action, Inc.
411 Industrial Park Blvd,
Elbow Lake, MN 56531