The Centers were developed to address local concerns raised in the first Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Report in 1991. Vehicles designed for distribution under the VIP Program are used County paratransit vans or minibuses that are near the end of their useful life based on mileage criteria but remain in good working order. Such vehicles are scheduled for retirement from the County Fleet and replacement. Rather than sell these vehicles at auction, County Government will partner with interested municipalities to rehabilitate the vehicle and extend its useful life. Municipal recipients of these donated vehicles can then establish a local paratransit service that augments the County system.
Paratransit services are available to elderly and handicapped citizens, veteran and rural residents.
In particular, those who are in the younger age range. It also reduces the risk of re-hospitalization. In addition, this initiative indirectly benefits both housing managers and senior residents. Housing managers are now familiar with the roles and function of the mental health workers and now have a particular entity to call when a situation arises that becomes too involved to be handled alone. Seniors benefit as a result of situations being handled expeditiously thus relieving stressors caused by fear of disorderly neighbors.