VCHA Awards Transportation Innovation Grant to Tri-Area Community Health

A key component of the initiative is a partnership with the Carroll County Public School District, which hosts one of Tri-Area’s school-based health centers. Through this collaboration, the organizations will share vehicles and Tri-Area will employ school bus drivers on a part-time basis to provide transportation for medical and behavioral health appointments at the Cana and Laurel Fork clinics. Services will primarily assist patients who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid.

“This investment from VCHA allows us to directly address one of the biggest obstacles our patients face getting to their appointments,” said James Werth, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Tri-Area Community Health. “By working together with a local school district and a local business, we’re creating practical, community-driven solutions that improve access to care for those who need it most.”

The grant also includes a vehicle repair and maintenance component in partnership with Carroll County Public Schools. The program will focus on manageable repairs that students can complete relatively quickly and easily, providing hands-on learning opportunities while helping maintain safe and reliable transportation for patient use. Emily Underwood with Carroll County Public Schools said the collaboration benefits both patients and students.