Like most nonprofits in Hillsborough County, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a diverse, financial sustainability structure.  I like to think of it as a 3-legged stool: government and community grants (33% of our funding), fundraising (14% of our funding) and social enterprise (53% of our funding).  You probably understand what I mean when I say government and community grants and fundraising, but you may not know what I mean when I say social enterprise.  The official definition of a social enterprise is a "revenue-generating business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are reinvested for that purpose in the business rather than driven by the need to deliver profit to shareholders and owners" ( https://centreforsocialenterprise.com/what-is-social-enterprise).  Some social enterprises you might be familiar with include Girl Scout cookies and Goodwill thrift stores.  Our social enterprise is TransCare, a medical transportation service.

If you aren't familiar with TransCare, we provide 9-1-1 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service to the City of Tampa and backup BLS service to Hillsborough County.   We also provide county-wide emergency transportation to community members who have been designated by law enforcement or medical/behavioral health professionals as a danger to self or others due to a psychiatric or substance use emergency.  Providing this transportation meets our mission:  ensuring no one in our community has to face a crisis alone.  By shear definition, there is no greater crisis in someone's life than having to call 9-1-1 in a medical emergency!!!  It is also a revenue generating business as we bill insurance for this service.  Profits from TransCare go to support the infrastructure of the organization so we can be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone in crisis!  

Being a social enterprise is not the only unique feature of TransCare.  Each member of our TransCare team is also trained in Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health First Aid and Psychological First Aid.  Because of these advanced trainings, our staff learn to see beyond the transport and make referrals to Gateway Services when necessary.  In other words, we treat the WHOLE person, not just their medical injury.

As you can see, I am very proud of the work in TransCare.  I make it a point to go on the road monthly to meet with the dedicated men and women who provide this essential, crisis service.  So next time you are on I-275 or Hillsborough Avenue, keep an eye out for our TransCare ambulances!

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Clara