CHESTERTOWN — The Kent County Health Department on July 1 launched a pilot program designed to help residents overcome transportation barriers that prevent them from accessing needed medical care or healthy nutrition.
Through funding received from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, KCHD is partnering with Chestertown-based Jab Express LLC to provide a limited number of free-of-charge transports to Kent County residents in need of a ride to medical appointments, pharmacies or grocery stores in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.
The grant funding will pay for about 1,000 rides, according to a news release from the health department.
“Reliable transportation should never be the barrier that stands between a person and their health or well-being. Yet, we know that barrier is very real for far too many of our residents,” Kent County Health Officer Carla Thorpe said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to partner with the health department on this program,” said Jab Express owner Janey Barrett. “Our drivers are proud to serve Kent County and look forward to helping our neighbors,” she added.
According to the news release, the service is open to any resident of Kent County seeking transportation to a primary care provider, specialist, dentist, pharmacy, grocery store or food pantry located in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties.
Rides will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
For more information, contact Jab Express directly at 410-490-5217 or 443-480-5805.
The pilot program will run until all the grant money has been spent or until the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2027.
If the pilot is successful, the health department will seek funding to continue the program permanently.
One Response
Fantastic! Great program.