At HopSkipDrive, safety and trust are the foundation of everything we do. We are proud to lead the industry in safety, and that commitment requires constant evolution and investment.
Today, we are thrilled to announce key enhancements to our industry-leading safety program. We have launched a strengthened educational curriculum for CareDrivers, as well as a more sophisticated, skills-based CareDriver certification process. This new initiative deepens our commitment to safety across the entire CareDriver journey and is designed to offer enhanced support for all students, including those with diverse needs and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
This dual investment in both certification and education sets a new standard for safety and care in our industry. Here’s a look at what’s new.
Expert-Designed Education for Specialized Support
To provide the highest standard of care, we’ve launched a strengthened educational curriculum for CareDrivers. These new educational modules are designed to provide CareDrivers with leading-edge skills to support all students, including neurodivergent riders and those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
The curriculum was developed in partnership with leading child development experts:
Jenifer Eaton, MA, BCBA, and Timothy Humphrey, M.S.Ed., BCBA, of Rooted in Play
Steve Nederveld, an expert in trauma-informed care and former Director of Mental Health for Cherry Creek Schools
The program focuses on understanding sensory sensitivities, de-escalation techniques, and communication strategies.
A More Thoughtful, Skills-Based Certification
In parallel, we are evolving our CareDriver certification process by shifting from fixed quantitative requirements to a more thoughtful, qualitative assessment of a candidate’s caregiving capabilities.
As a key part of the HopSkipDrive 15-point certification process, a more robust skills-based video screening will move beyond fixed requirements. This enhanced screening allows for a more meaningful evaluation of a candidate’s situational judgment, empathy, and readiness to work with children.
Because HopSkipDrive maintains a direct relationship with the CareDriver community, we are uniquely positioned to implement these higher standards for screening and ongoing education, contributing to our industry-leading safety and compliance record.
Raising the Standard for Student Transportation
This holistic approach helps ensure CareDrivers are exceptionally prepared to support every child, reinforcing our commitment to being the most trusted partner for schools and families.
“Safety and trust are the foundation of everything we do, and this evolution of our programs represents a deeper commitment to those values. We know that being a great caregiver starts with prior experience, and is further developed with the resources and education HopSkipDrive provides once CareDrivers are on the platform. By pairing a more intelligent, skills-based certification process with expert-led continuing education, we can help ensure CareDrivers are exceptionally prepared to support every child. This holistic approach raises the standard for the entire student transportation industry and reinforces our commitment to being the most trusted partner for schools and families.”
—Jen Brandenburger, SVP of Safety at HopSkipDrive
“A safe, positive ride to school plays a crucial role in a student’s overall success and that begins with a prepared, empathetic adult behind the wheel. HopSkipDrive’s commitment to helping CareDrivers better understand trauma-informed practices and the unique needs of neurodivergent students is truly invaluable. By equipping CareDrivers with these insights and strategies, we’re building a more compassionate and responsive system, one that ensures every student is supported with the patience, understanding, and respect they deserve.”
—Jenifer Eaton, MA, BCBA of Rooted in Play
The new education modules are now available to all CareDrivers on the platform, and the enhanced certification process will begin rolling out to new applicants over the coming weeks.
