HopSkipDrive CareDrivers: Caregivers on Wheels

HopSkipDrive requires five years of caregiving experience in order for CareDrivers to gain access to the platform. This is because we’re working with populations — children and older adults — that require a little extra care.

While some transportation partners don’t require caregiving experience, we believe it is critical to providing a positive experience for the groups we serve.

Why We Require Caregiving Experience

Caregiving experience engenders empathy, understanding, and knowledge of best practices for working with all populations. We require it — in fact it’s the first piece of criteria we ask for — because we want to promote a safe, positive ride experience.

Requiring caregiving experience ensures CareDrivers start with a basic understanding of service-oriented work. CareDrivers are moms, grandmothers, babysitters, former teachers, nurses, and more who have an average of 10 years of caregiving experience.

In addition, we provide access to informative resources in order for CareDrivers to be best set up for success in their transportation care services. These resources cover working with children with disabilities, as well as children experiencing homelessness and in foster care. Trauma-informed care resources and explanation of the responsibility as a mandated reporter give CareDrivers a greater understanding of some of our core rider groups. Says one CareDriver:

“I’ve had many foster care kids as riders; they are a unique and special group of kids who often just start telling me about their experiences with their foster families and how much they miss their mom or parents. I always listen and let them express themselves. . . . Some of the kids have been to multiple foster homes during a year span. I always remember their names . . . These kids complete my day.”

The Importance of Consistency

Daily routine helps all children feel safe, gain independence, and develop positive habits. It is especially important for some of the groups we work with.

Youth in foster care and those experiencing homelessness go through many destabilizing changes in their home environments. This is why remaining in their school of origin is so important — despite their home situation, they see the same teachers, friends, and supportive adults.

CareDrivers often become another consistent face for these children on the ride to school or home each day. CareDrivers report building empathetic, supportive relationships with riders.

Tina Garcia of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services says:

“The transportation needs of foster youth can change frequently and HopSkipDrive has consistently and timely helped to meet those needs. HopSkipDrive has been an invaluable partner in supporting the educational stability of our foster youth . . . Being able to continue attending their school of origin is often the most stability they have in their lives and that would have been impossible for many of them without HopSkipDrive.”

Riders with disabilities who have transportation requirements in their IEPs also need consistency. This group responds well to routine, which helps them work on mastering activities of daily living — resulting in increased self-confidence.

Going Above and Beyond

HopSkipDrive CareDrivers often go above and beyond. Here are some stories we’ve heard from CareDrivers.

• “I love being a CareDriver! I really enjoy being able to connect with the riders and hope to be a bright spot in their day. I have driven all kinds of riders, ranging from young children going to school to the elderly going to doctor appointments. Sometimes it is heartbreaking, and other times it is truly inspirational.”

• “Once when I was driving a boy to school, he told me that he had been removed from his home the day before, and he started to cry quietly. My heart went out to him. I told him that he was strong and said ‘you got this!’” He thanked me and smiled. I shed a tear as well after I dropped him off.”

• “What I love most about being a CareDriver is getting the opportunity to help those that need and depend on our service. It gives me a sense of responsibility, and a feeling that I am doing something of purpose. I enjoy seeing some of the same riders on a continual basis and having a good friendship with them. In addition, the flexibility of the job gives me the opportunity to do the other things I enjoy doing.”

We’ll end with this must-read holiday season story that got us teary-eyed:

A senior rider wanted to keep a holiday tradition going but couldn’t go to the store. After dropping her at home, one of our CareDrivers went to the grocery store himself to gift the rider the few things she needed to keep her New Year’s tradition going. He left the groceries on her doorstep with a little note. She called HopSkipDrive to let us know what he did and how she broke down in tears.

Let’s Partner to Support Your Students and Families

You want to provide your students with safe, reliable transportation that goes above and beyond a typical ride. We help get students to their destinations safely and on time. Our technology connects school partners to a network of highly vetted CareDrivers with small vehicles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, complementing the yellow bus, filling in gaps, and enabling schools to support student transportation needs.