The genesis for Kerr♦Konnect came from consistent concerns voiced by people in the community having trouble getting to various providers for their services. In 2015 a study group was formed to explore the state of public-style transportation in Kerrville which evolved into the Transportation Planning Council in March of 2016. The Council included representatives of groups that were affected by the scarcity of reliable transportation alternatives in Kerr County, including churches, social service agencies, the recovery community, Peterson Medical system, the Dietert Center, veterans, homeless, and MHDD system.
Information was gathered about current public transit options in Kerrville, as well as historical data on several unsuccessful efforts to create a transit system. Meetings were held with volunteer transportation services in the San Antonio area. Many communities throughout the United States similar in size to Kerrville were found to offer volunteer transportation services. The organization, practices and operations of these groups were studied. Contact was also made with several national organizations/coalitions that provide advice, recommendations, support, studies and reports to transportation oriented non-profit groups.
The Planning Council sponsored a public town-hall type meeting at the Dietert Center in August of 2016 to solicit input from the community. That fall approximately 3000 surveys were distributed to Kerrville residents, mid to low income apartments (as identified by the Chamber of Commerce), the recovery community through recovery houses and social service agencies including Raphael Clinic and Kerr County MHDD. About 750, or 25%, of the surveys were returned.
Among many factors, the following significant results were obtained from the town hall meeting and surveys:
Of the several identified population groups with limited or no means of transportation, the largest were those over 65 years of age, which comprise nearly 30% or approximately 14,700 of the Kerr County population.
The national average for office visits NOT MADE due to transportation issues is 13.1 % for people 65+ living in rural counties. Nearly 50% of all Physician Office Visits are from this age group. The missed revenues for physicians and costs imposed by hospitalization instead of preventive care are a significant economic burden on Kerr County’s economy and contribute to a diminished quality of life for affected citizens.
A 2016 study by the Transit Cooperative Research Program showed that “Missing a routine or preventive care service because of lack of access to transportation can lead to poorly managed care, an increased need for emergency care, and a greater number of preventable hospitalizations”. The study also demonstrated that the reduction in health care decline and increase in quality of life for rural residents significantly offset any costs incurred by providing Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).
Analysis of rural/urban population, income, distance, and disease incidence data for Kerr County (using 2012-2015 data) indicates the cost-effectiveness of providing NEMT could result in $5.31 in direct economic benefits for every $1.00 spent.
It is important to keep in mind that NEMT is only one of five transportation needs that Kerr♦Konnect will serve which also include Nutritional, Social, Educational and Employment, each with its own benefit.
Based on survey results it was determined that the system most likely to be immediately used and serve the greatest need would be an on-demand door to door, volunteer driver system.
In June 2017 Kerr♦Konnect was established as a Texas Corporation, application was made to the IRS for 501(c)3 Non-Profit status and a Board of Directors was selected to move the project further along. The Board has met continuously since incorporation, spending considerable time developing and completing organizational policies, procedures, membership forms, training manuals and other foundational requirements. Executive Director and Volunteer Coordinator job descriptions have also been adopted.
Kerr♦Konnect received an affirmative IRS determination letter in February 2018, retroactive to June 12, 2017.
As a final illustrative effort as to use of the system, surveys were distributed to the persons who participate in Meals on Wheels asking if they would likely use the system. Eighty said “Yes”, and there are others in the community who voiced additional interest. The Dietert Center receives calls asking for the service. The Meals on Wheels drivers were also informally surveyed as to willingness to serve as Kerr♦Konnect volunteer drivers and from that pool alone, 25 said they would. Therefore, not only has it been shown that the need exists, but the ability to fulfill that need is available.
With significant research completed, foundational documents in place and best practices employed in development of its organizational structure, Kerr♦Konnect is fully positioned to make a positive difference in the nutritional and medical needs of citizens in Kerrville and the surrounding area.
Information was gathered about current public transit options in Kerrville, as well as historical data on several unsuccessful efforts to create a transit system. Meetings were held with volunteer transportation services in the San Antonio area. Many communities throughout the United States similar in size to Kerrville were found to offer volunteer transportation services. The organization, practices and operations of these groups were studied. Contact was also made with several national organizations/coalitions that provide advice, recommendations, support, studies and reports to transportation oriented non-profit groups.
The Planning Council sponsored a public town-hall type meeting at the Dietert Center in August of 2016 to solicit input from the community. That fall approximately 3000 surveys were distributed to Kerrville residents, mid to low income apartments (as identified by the Chamber of Commerce), the recovery community through recovery houses and social service agencies including Raphael Clinic and Kerr County MHDD. About 750, or 25%, of the surveys were returned.
Among many factors, the following significant results were obtained from the town hall meeting and surveys:
- The top 4 transportation needs were: food, medical care, employment, social
- The top 4 days for transport needs were Monday through Thursday
- Approximately 37% of respondents had to use transportation other than their own
- Approximately 21% had missed medical appointments because of a lack of transport
- Approximately 11.5% were unable to access medical care
Of the several identified population groups with limited or no means of transportation, the largest were those over 65 years of age, which comprise nearly 30% or approximately 14,700 of the Kerr County population.
The national average for office visits NOT MADE due to transportation issues is 13.1 % for people 65+ living in rural counties. Nearly 50% of all Physician Office Visits are from this age group. The missed revenues for physicians and costs imposed by hospitalization instead of preventive care are a significant economic burden on Kerr County’s economy and contribute to a diminished quality of life for affected citizens.
A 2016 study by the Transit Cooperative Research Program showed that “Missing a routine or preventive care service because of lack of access to transportation can lead to poorly managed care, an increased need for emergency care, and a greater number of preventable hospitalizations”. The study also demonstrated that the reduction in health care decline and increase in quality of life for rural residents significantly offset any costs incurred by providing Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).
Analysis of rural/urban population, income, distance, and disease incidence data for Kerr County (using 2012-2015 data) indicates the cost-effectiveness of providing NEMT could result in $5.31 in direct economic benefits for every $1.00 spent.
It is important to keep in mind that NEMT is only one of five transportation needs that Kerr♦Konnect will serve which also include Nutritional, Social, Educational and Employment, each with its own benefit.
Based on survey results it was determined that the system most likely to be immediately used and serve the greatest need would be an on-demand door to door, volunteer driver system.
In June 2017 Kerr♦Konnect was established as a Texas Corporation, application was made to the IRS for 501(c)3 Non-Profit status and a Board of Directors was selected to move the project further along. The Board has met continuously since incorporation, spending considerable time developing and completing organizational policies, procedures, membership forms, training manuals and other foundational requirements. Executive Director and Volunteer Coordinator job descriptions have also been adopted.
Kerr♦Konnect received an affirmative IRS determination letter in February 2018, retroactive to June 12, 2017.
As a final illustrative effort as to use of the system, surveys were distributed to the persons who participate in Meals on Wheels asking if they would likely use the system. Eighty said “Yes”, and there are others in the community who voiced additional interest. The Dietert Center receives calls asking for the service. The Meals on Wheels drivers were also informally surveyed as to willingness to serve as Kerr♦Konnect volunteer drivers and from that pool alone, 25 said they would. Therefore, not only has it been shown that the need exists, but the ability to fulfill that need is available.
With significant research completed, foundational documents in place and best practices employed in development of its organizational structure, Kerr♦Konnect is fully positioned to make a positive difference in the nutritional and medical needs of citizens in Kerrville and the surrounding area.
