How HopSkipDrive Can Help with Alternative School Transportation Needs

School transportation immediately brings to mind the big yellow school bus, but due to varying circumstances some students need an alternative school transportation option, one which supplements traditional school bus transportation.

HopSkipDrive partners with many schools, districts, and government agencies to provide transportation for kids with non-routine school transportation needs, helping all students access educational opportunities.

Below, we’ll discuss the alternative school transportation needs HopSkipDrive works with districts and schools to address.

HopSkipDrive is a flexible and reliable solution, helping to enable:

1. Transportation for students experiencing homelessness (under McKinney-Vento designation)

2. School-of-origin transportation for youth in foster care

3. Transportation for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

4. Transportation for students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) programs

5. Transportation for nonprofits working with youth

6. Transportation for students with disabilities

7. Transportation for field trips

8. Transportation for students in internships or work study programs

McKinney-Vento Transportation

In 1987, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was passed to provide assistance and support to homeless families. Part of the act’s intent is to ensure youth experiencing homelessness can attend school or remain in their school of origin without a permanent residence.

While students who qualify for McKinney-Vento transportation can sometimes be added to existing bus routes, HopSkipDrive partners with school districts to provide a cost-effective, dependable, and efficient alternative school solution for students who move outside of those bus routes. And because we are a flexible solution, we can build out new routes with only six hours’ notice, meaning we can get children whose needs fluctuate to school the very next day.

HopSkipDrive works with districts to plan and iterate routes for students under McKinney-Vento. HopSkipDrive’s Safe Ride Technology® provides visibility for transportation coordinators.

HopSkipDrive CareDrivers have at least five years of caregiving experience and are connected with trauma-informed care resources so they can provide a caring, positive environment when transporting youth experiencing homelessness.

Youth in Foster Care

About 500,000 children nationwide are in foster care, and statistics show that by the time youth in foster care reach their junior year, around one-third will have changed schools an average of five times. Each time this population changes schools, they lose four to six months of academic progress, contributing to a 50% graduation rate for youth in foster care.

Fortunately, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) dictates that counties and districts work together to ensure youth in foster care receive transportation to their school of origin, or the school they were enrolled in when they were removed from their home. Staying at the same school is incredibly beneficial to these students’ emotional well-being and academic success.

Behind the scenes, counties and districts share the responsibility of getting students to and from their school of origin, even when the student has moved to a new home outside of normal bus routes. Transportation must be provided immediately, so an unexpected move can mean a student must have a way to school the very next day.

That’s where HopSkipDrive comes in — we can build out routes with only six hours’ notice.

To support students in foster care, HopSkipDrive CareDrivers have caregiving experience, including work as teachers, counselors, nurses, and more. They often provide stability to students by regularly giving them a ride to or from school. We have many stories of CareDrivers bonding with children in foster care and helping them feel understood.

Students with Disabilities or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

Many students with disabilities attend mainstream schools with additional classes or resources to help them thrive. These Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) may necessitate a non-routine schedule. If the IEP includes a transportation requirement, districts are responsible for providing transportation for that student.

Some students with special needs may also be unable to ride the bus due to unique physical or behavioral needs. They may benefit from accommodations or alternate transportation. Taking a ride with a HopSkipDrive CareDriver can be a calming and welcome alternative to crowded public transit or a traditional school bus.

HopSkipDrive provides an alternative school transportation solution customized for each unique schedule and child’s needs. Beyond the flexibility of our model, we connect CareDrivers with educational resources which give them the necessary background to work with riders with special needs. Rider Notes ensure CareDrivers know how to approach each specific child.

There are many ways to help students with special needs navigate school transportation, such as building a consistent routine, establishing empathetic relationships, and aligning communication between school transportation, the student’s IEP team, and their family.

Career and Technical Education Programs

Many schools offer career and technical education (CTE) programs to allow students to explore career pathways. These programs can lead to a direct path to a career they’re interested in starting immediately, or an alternative to higher education. For many, it allows them to skip the college debt and start earning money right away, which is one reason it’s become increasingly popular.

One of the barriers to CTE programs, particularly for lower-income or at-risk youth, is transportation. Many of the job training opportunities are off-site or after school. If students miss work due to lack of transportation, they could lose their job.

HopSkipDrive works with many schools and districts to provide a transportation solution for students to attend CTE programs and get to off-site or after-school internships. Here, two students in a career and technical education program share how they benefited from HopSkipDrive’s solution.

Transportation for Nonprofits

Many nonprofit organizations provide resources for kids and teens that greatly enrich their lives. However, transportation can be a definite barrier to access for many families who would like to use the services.

For example, a parent may want their child to take advantage of after-school programs at the Boys and Girls Club, but they have no way to get them there after school. That’s where HopSkipDrive comes in. We partner with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Getty, and the Pocock Rowing Foundation to provide access to education enrichment opportunities.

Many of these organizations use HopSkipDrive to provide a safe, reliable transportation solution for students, so they can take part in internships, enrichment programs, and other activities.

If you work at a school, district, or organization and would like to work with us, please visit our home page for more information or request a quote. We’d love to work with you.