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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">1005 W. Worley St. <br />Columbia, MO 65203</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">September 29, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Austin Krohn
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
<br />573.874.7604
<br />Austin.Krohn@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City of Columbia expands partnership with First Last Mile to launch Ride Home Program</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">An expanded partnership between the City of Columbia and First/Last Mile has been established in the form of the new "Ride Home Program" beginning Oct. 6. This new program will allow individuals in Columbia to return to their support system so that they may receive practical, emotional and informational assistance from their hometown.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First/Last Mile is a transportation valet service that aims to eliminate transportation barriers by </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">"providing safe, reliable and accessible transportation services, empowering individuals to reach their full potential." </span></p>
<p>The program will begin with referrals from Room at the Inn, Turning Point, DIVERT and 4AChange. Individuals may also self-refer through Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) clinical social services specialists at 1005 W. Worley St., where forms will be available.</p>
<p>This is a one-time, one-way transportation assistance. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.</p>
<p>To be eligible, riders need to have:</p>
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<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Verifiable support at the destination</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Income at or below 200 percent of the current Federal Poverty Limit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Referral from a provider or a photo ID</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> No outstanding warrants in Columbia/Boone County, which will be verified by PHHS staff</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once eligibility is established, transportation will be arranged through First/Last Mile.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have any questions or concerns, please contact </span><a href="mailto:HumanServices@CoMo.gov"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HumanServices@CoMo.gov</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more about First/Last Mile here: </span><a href="https://flmvalettransportation.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://flmvalettransportation.org/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p></div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6f3861f1e730435182b939631f4731aa/page/page/#widget_32=search_status:%7B%22searchText%22%3A%221005 W. Worley St.%22%7D" target="_blank">1005 W. Worley St.</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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