Okotoks CARE Program (Community Rides to Essential Healthcare)

Okotoks CARE is specifically for out-of-town transportation to medical appointments.

You may be eligible if you:

• Live in Okotoks
• Need transportation to an approved medical appointment 
• Meet the program's financial or disability eligibility requirements
• Are able to provide the supporting documentation

Okotoks CARE is intended for medically necessary appointments that cannot reasonably be accessed within Okotoks. 

Examples include:

• Specialist appointments
• Surgical consultations
• Cancer treatment
• Hospital-based services
• Dialysis appointments
• MRI and CT scans
• Other appointments with a regulated health professional or recognized health-related service provider

CARE does not provide transportation for:

• Medical appointments available within Okotoks
• Routine dental appointments available locally
• Cosmetic procedures
• Shopping or personal errands
• Visiting family or friends
• Recreational trips
• Funerals
• Other non-medical appointments

Applicants must meet all applicable program requirements.

Okotoks Residency

Applicants must be residents of Okotoks.

Proof of residency may include:

• Government-issued identification showing your current address
• Utility bill
• Lease agreement
• Property tax notice
• Other acceptable proof of residency

Medical Appointment

The transportation request must be for an approved, medically necessary appointment located outside of Okotoks that is not reasonably offered locally.

Financial or Disability Eligibility

Applicants must meet the program's income eligibility requirements or qualify based on disability.

Eligibility is determined based on the combined income of all adult members of the household, and the total number of members in the household. Your total income can be found on your Notice of (Tax) Assessment on line 15000. If the combined total income amounts for all adult household members falls within the eligibility thresholds listed above, you may be eligible for Okotoks CARE. 

Applicants must submit their most recent Notice of Assessment or other proof of income verification. 

Approved applicants will be eligible for the current program year. Participants must notify the program of any changes to household income or circumstances that may affect their eligibility. The program may request additional information or proof of income as needed.

Applicants living with a disability may qualify. A disability is defined as a substantial and/or long term impairment of mental or physical functioning. 

Applicants must submit documentation from a regulated health professional, or recognized disability support documentation. 

This template can be used to obtain supporting documentation from a physician. However, a doctor's note that includes the required information will also be accepted in place of this form.

Okotoks CARE Medical Eligibility Form

1. Complete the Application

Complete the online application form for Okotoks CARE.

Please note, If the applicant is under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign this application. 

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOVEMBER 1, 2026

2. Gather Your Documents

You need to provide:

• Proof of Okotoks residency
• Supporting documents - Income verification or disability documentation

3. Submit Your Application

Once submitted, your application will be reviewed. Eligible applicants will receive confirmation of enrollment.

Once you are enrolled in Okotoks CARE, transportation requests can be made for eligible medical appointments outside of Okotoks.

Eligible participants may receive up to 52 round trips per calendar year, with a maximum of two trips per week.

To book a ride, please contact the Okotoks Family Resource Centre at 403-995-2626.

When booking, please be prepared to provide:

• The date and time of your appointment
• The appointment location
• Any accessibility requirements
• Information about a companion or support person, if applicable

We ask that you book your transportation as far in advance as possible. Rides can be booked up to 3 weeks in advance and should be requested at least 1 week before your appointment. Shorter-notice requests are subject to availability, and same-day requests cannot be accommodated. Transportation is dependent on volunteer, vehicle and service availability, so rides are not guaranteed until they have been confirmed.

Requests should be made:

• Up to three weeks before your appointment
• At least one week before your appointment whenever possible
• Same-day requests cannot be accommodated

Transportation is based on volunteer, vehicle and service availability. A ride is not guaranteed until it has been confirmed.

There is no cost to the participant. Participants are responsible for any parking fees.