Arkansas 211 and UAMS Partner to Promote Lyft Transportation to Vaccinations and Health Services
| Arkansas 211 has been awarded grants totaling $97,000 to launch a statewide partnership with the rideshare company Lyft. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will promote the free service through its eight regional campuses throughout the state.
An $87,000 grant for free rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites is awarded by The Palo Alto Group and United Way Worldwide. An additional $10,000 grant for transportation to broad health and social needs is from Lyft and United Way Worldwide.
“UAMS Regional Campuses across Arkansas provide access to primary care services, and transportation can be a barrier to getting people the care they need,” said Amy Wenger, UAMS vice chancellor for Regional Campuses. “We are pleased to partner with Arkansas 211 and United Way of Northwest Arkansas to spread the word that free rides are available.”
The free Lyft transportation service is available statewide based on driver availability and Lyft market presence. There are no eligibility requirements. The service is not limited to UAMS appointments; riders can also use the service to access non-UAMS health and social needs where available.
“This year, Arkansas 211 made over 40,000 contacts with people needing help finding social services in their communities,” said Jackie Hancock, president and CEO of United Way of Northwest Arkansas. “We are pleased to add vaccination transportation assistance as an area where we can help.” United Way of Northwest Arkansas directs the statewide Arkansas 211 call for help program.
“The grants will support Lyft services to cover roughly 4,000 Arkansans and address the needs of those who do not have reliable transportation to stay healthy,” said Dallas Mudd, executive director of Arkansas 211. “Our 211 operators work in communities across Arkansas. People needing help can simply phone 211 and we will talk with the caller about their situation.”
Lyft services are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and while grant funding lasts.
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About Arkansas 211. Arkansas 211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people to essential health and human services 24 hours a day, seven days a week online and over the phone. Arkansas 211 is certified by The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). AIRS is the professional association for over 1,200 community Information and Referral providers. Arkansans can get more information about Arkansas 211, search for referrals, and make donations at arkansas211.org or by dialing 211 from any phone in the State of Arkansas. United Way of Northwest Arkansas directs the state-wide Arkansas 211 call for help service. Arkansas211.org and UnitedWayNWA.org
About UAMS. UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise including its hospital, regional clinics and clinics it operates or staffs in cooperation with other providers. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. U.S. News & World Report recognized UAMS Medical Center as a Best Hospital for 2021-22; ranked its ear, nose and throat program among the top 50 nationwide for the third year; and named five areas as high performing — colon cancer surgery, diabetes, hip replacement, knee replacement and stroke. Forbes magazine ranked UAMS as seventh in the nation on its Best Employers for Diversity list. UAMS also ranked in the top 30% nationwide on Forbes Best Employers for Women list and was the only Arkansas employer included. UAMS has 2,876 students, 898 medical residents and six dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.