VOLUNTEER DRIVE TO HELP VETERANS
VETERANS NEED YOUR HELP GETTING TO THEIR VA MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS!
OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE ALL OVER CALIFORNIA INCLUDING SONOMA COUNTY!
ABOUT THE DAV VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION NETWORK (VTN)
In 1987, a government program providing veterans travel reimbursement was discontinued. Recognizing that many veterans would be left without care, DAV created the DAV Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN), a free non-medical transportation service, in collaboration with the Veteran Affairs (VA) Healthcare System nationally. The shuttle service helps to provide transportation to and from VA scheduled medical appointments for ambulatory veterans who have limited mobility, lack access to transportation, elderly, or cannot drive themselves. and those in highly rural areas, who have no other means of transportation. The service ensures that veterans have reliable and safe transportation to their medical appointments, helping to improve health outcomes in the veteran community.
Our mission is to ensure that every client receives the highest level of care and attention, and their their transportation needs are met with the utmost professionalism and respect. DAV strives to make a positive difference in the lives of veterans by providing timely and efficient transportation services that enable them to access medical care without the stress and worry of transportation. Our goal is to enhance their quality of life by providing a comfortable and reassuring experience that helps them to feel supported and cared for.
We believe everyone deserves access to quality medical care and that transportation should never be a barrier to getting the help they need. Through our commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to U.S. military veterans of all branches, we aim to be a trusted partner in their healthcare journey, providing reliable transportation solutions that meet their unique needs and exceed their expectations.
Every VA Medical Center (hospital) has clinics in their outlying territories. The VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) conducts the vetting, onboarding process, and oversight management of volunteers. DAV assists with volunteer recruitment, outreach, and training.
To ensure the program’s success, we need help recruiting volunteers and funding this vital program in Northern California, which includes the Transportation Coordinator position salary, and purchasing new vehicles, for these counties: Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, and many others.
These vehicles transport between 1500 – 1700 veterans each month. In 2022, DAV Volunteer Drivers made sure that 23,556 veterans were picked up from their homes and taken to their medical appointments at the VA in California. Over 460k miles were logged.
The San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) VISN 21 has clinics in the Bay Area, including the North Bay and as far north as Eureka. Most Veterans living in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Humboldt counties use the SFVAMC system.
PROGRAM GOALS
Ensure client satisfaction: The VTN program strives to ensure client satisfaction by providing excellent customer service, responding to feedback and concerns, and continually improving the quality of service. Client satisfaction is our top priority.
Provide safe and reliable transportation services: The primary goal of the VTN program is to ensure that veterans receive safe and reliable transportation to and from medical appointments. We achieve this goal by recruiting qualified volunteer drivers, maintaining a well-maintained fleet of vehicles, and adhering to all relevant safety regulations.
Improve access to healthcare: Anther important goal of the VTN program is to improve access to healthcare for veterans who face barriers. We achieve this by offering free on-demand transportation, working with insurance providers, and establishing partnerships with healthcare organizations.
Enhance the quality of life for veterans: Transportation can be a significant source of stress and anxiety for individuals who require medical care. By providing reliable transportation services, the VTN program helps to reduce stress and enhance the quality of life for veterans.
Increase efficiency and reduce costs: Finally, the VTN program aims to increase efficiency and reduce costs wherever possible. We achieve this goal by implementing efficient scheduling and dispatching systems, utilizing technology to track vehicles and drivers, and adopting cost-saving measures such as fuel-efficient vehicles.
CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF VOLUNTEERS
DAV is facing a critical shortage of Volunteer Drivers and Transportation Coordinators to support its efforts in Northern California, which includes the San Francisco VA Health Care System (VISN 21) consisting of several Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) located in the Bay Area and extending as far north as Eureka.
This may lead to many veterans being unable to get the medical care they need. With so many disabled veterans living on small fixed incomes, travel costs often give way to shelter and food. Health needs are sacrificed for everyday necessities.
These veterans traveled the globe to protect our freedoms. Suddenly they may be hard-pressed to travel the distance from their homes to VA medical centers. Those who gave so much for our country may not be able to get the medical treatment they so justly deserve.
At various locations throughout Northern California, DAV vehicles are ready to transport our veterans. What is lacking is manpower. Veterans in Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, and Humboldt counties need help getting to their VA medical appointments in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Ukiah, Clearlake, and Eureka.
TWO TYPES OF VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS
- DO YOU HAVE A CURRENT VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE?
- DO YOU HAVE ONE DAY PER WEEK AVAILABLE?
- A BACKGROUND CHECK, FINGERPRINTS, AND PHYSICAL WILL BE REQUIRED, AT NO COST.
- THE POSITION DRIVES VETERANS TO THEIR VA MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND BACK HOME IN SONOMA COUNTY.
- MAY NEED TO DRIVE SONOMA COUNTY BASED PATIENTS TO/FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO VA MEDICAL CENTER.
TRANSPORTATION COORDINATORS
- SITS IN AN OFFICE AT THE NEW SANTA ROSA VA CLINIC (SOUTH CAMPUS) OR SAN FRANCISCO VA MEDICAL CENTER.
- COORDINATES TRANSPORTATION WITH VETERAN PATIENTS AND VOLUNTEER DRIVERS.
- ANSWERS AND MAKES PHONE CALLS.
- USES A COMPUTER.
- MAINTAINS LOGS AND RECORDS.
- A PHYSICAL IS NOT REQUIRED FOR TRANSPORTATION COORDINATORS.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health (VHA) Care System processes all volunteer onboarding packages.
It typically takes about one (1) month to complete the onboarding and vetting process conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, the process may take longer. Although we know you are ready to help veterans, we appreciate your patience with the process.
WHICH VA DEPARTMENT WORKS WITH VOLUNTEERS?
The Center for Development and Civic Engagement Department (CDCE) (formerly Volunteer Services) at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) assists volunteers with the onboarding process. A CDCE liaison is available at the Santa Rosa VA Outpatient Clinic (South Campus).
CDCE Santa Rosa Representative: Carly House
Santa Rosa CDCE PHONE: 707-524-6859
ADDRESS: 2285 Challenger Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
SFVAMC CDCE PHONE:
(415) 221-4810 ext 24218
(415) 750-2144
EMAIL: VHASFCVolunteerOnboarding@va.gov
Unless stated otherwise, submit all Volunteer onboarding documents to the local VA, specifically to the “Center for Development and Civic Engagement Department” (CDCE). After making a copy for your records, you may bring the onboarding documents to the Santa Rosa VA Outpatient Clinic (South Campus) for the local CDCE Representative to process.
Download the Onboarding Summary List to assist with keeping organized. Check back for updated revisions as we work to improve the list.
HOW TO APPLY
STEP 1: FILL-OUT ONLINE FORM
COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER QUESTIONNAIRE AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/volunteer_at_facility/
When filling out the form search and select “Santa Rosa VA Clinic (662GA)”. This clinic is under the management of the San Francisco VA Health Care System (662) (SFVAMC) also referred to as “VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21)
STEP 2: READ
READ THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
- Veterans Transportation Coordination – December 30, 2014
STEP 3: FILL OUT PAPER FORMS
AFTER COMPLETING THE BELOW FORMS, MAKE A COPY OF ALL FORMS AND SUBMIT THEM TO THE VA.
Click on the names below to download the form.
- Volunteer Application
- Universal Fingerprint Request Form
- SFVAHCS Baseline Health Status Intake Form
- Declaration for Federal Employment
- VA Volunteer Blue Badge
- Acknowledgment of Notice of Privacy Practices
- Tuberculosis Screening and Testing Form
- Assignment of Functional Categories VA Form 10-0539
- Driver’s License Verification
- COVID-19 Vaccination VA Form 10-263 – August 13, 2021
- Flu Prevention Update for Employees, Volunteers, Researchers and Trainees dated 11/18/2018.
STEP 4: TAKE THE PLEDGE
STEP 5: COMPLETE TRAINING
- TMS Mandatory Training for Volunteers
- TMS Annual Mandatory Training For All Personnel TMS Course #VA 4300999
- TMS – HIPPA and Privacy
- TMS – Privacy and Information Security and Rules and Behaviors.
STEP 6: SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS
- Two (2) forms of ID (passport, social security card, identification, driver’s license, birth certificate.
- COVD vaccination card
- Immunization records
STEP 8: WATCH THE TRAINING VIDEO
The link to this unlisted Training Video is on YouTube and can be found on the downloadable document titled “Onboarding Summary.”
STEP 9: PROVIDE UPDATES
Please keep Chapter 48 updated on your onboarding process. Don’t hesitate to ask us questions or for assistance.
San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC)
4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121-1545
Main Phone: 415-221-4810
North Santa Rosa VA Clinic
3841 Brickway Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Main Phone: 707-569-2300
South Santa Rosa VA Clinic
2285 Challenger Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Main Phone: 707-569-2300
CDCE PHONE: 707-524-6859
CDCE Representative: Carly House
WHITE RIBBON PLEDGE
Please take a moment and take the “White Ribbon Pledge”. We encourage you to watch the following video where VA employees, Veterans, and community partners joined in taking the White Ribbon Pledge. More than that, we ask you to join us in taking the pledge today.
Related
- VA San Francisco Health Care Locations
- Student Volunteer Program
- Find a Voluntary Service Office
- San Francisco VA Health Care Center for Development and Civic Engagement (formerly the Office of Voluntary Service).
- DAV Vans: Transportation for Veterans [note: the contact information on this webpage has not been updated. Any telephone messages left on this phone will not be answered because there is no one staffing the phone].
Guidelines for Patients using DAV vans
DAV van passengers are expected to follow certain guidelines, established by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the DAV National Headquarters. These guidelines include the following:
- All riders must be ambulatory (able to board and exit the van without the driver’s help).
- The DAV van driver is only allowed to stop the van for rest stops, emergencies, and to pick up and drop off passengers. Passengers should not ask the driver to make side trips to take care of their personal business.
- Passengers are not permitted to smoke, chew tobacco, drink alcohol, use foul language, or bring weapons, drugs, or any illegal substance on the van. Van drivers are not required to provide transportation to any Veteran who is intoxicated, abusive, or who poses a threat to the driver or other passengers.
- Passengers should not do anything to distract the driver.
- Passengers should wear seatbelts at all times. Any passenger who refuses to wear a seatbelt will be denied transportation.
- If a Veteran needs another individual (for example, a caregiver) to ride in the van with them, they need to get authorization from their VA attending physician or VA-certified nurse practitioner.
- Veterans being discharged or granted passes can ride on a DAV van during the van’s trip back to its home county only if space is available. The Veteran must be ready to leave when the van leaves the VA medical center.
- Veterans should be dressed and ready to leave for the hospital at the time specified. Drivers can’t wait for Veterans who aren’t ready to leave at the appointed time.
- Veterans can only bring with them items that they can hold on their lap or store under the seat.
- The DAV van is not an emergency vehicle. The driver may refuse to transport any Veteran who appears to be too ill to ride the van.
- Veterans who use the DAV Transportation Network will not be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
(M-1, Part 1, Chapter 25, July 8, 1991)
