Behavioral Health (BHT) & Special Needs Transportation
Specialized transportation with safety, compassion and dignity, for individuals with behavioral health challenges, developmental disabilities, sensory needs, complex medical needs or other special considerations.
Schedule behavioral health & special needs transportation Call (440) 468-6976
Learn about
More than a ride from one place to another
Transportation can be challenging for individuals with behavioral health needs, developmental disabilities, sensory sensitivities, complex medical needs, or other special considerations. At ReliaWheels, we provide specialized non-emergency transportation designed to create a safe, structured, and respectful experience from pickup to destination.
Our approach goes beyond providing a ride. Our trained transportation team follows individualized safety plans, maintains continuous supervision when required, and works closely with families, guardians, facilities, case managers, and transportation coordinators to understand each passenger’s unique needs.
Our goal is to provide every passenger with safe, secure transportation while helping reduce unnecessary stress throughout the journey.
Trips we cover
Built around how the day actually runs
Children or adults
Passengers of any age, with the supervision their plan calls for.
School and program transport
School transport, day camps, summer camps, day programs and specialized programs.
One-way or round trip
A single journey or both legs, scheduled as a standing arrangement.
Local or long distance
Around the corner, or well beyond Northeast Ohio when care takes you there.
Transportation built around the individual
Individualized safety plans
No two passengers have exactly the same needs. Before specialized transportation begins, our team reviews the passenger’s provided safety plan and transportation requirements so we understand important information that may affect the trip. Depending on the passenger, this can include:
- Behavioral triggers and calming strategies
- Communication preferences
- Sensory considerations
- Mobility and accessibility needs
- Required safety equipment
- Supervision requirements
- Emergency procedures
- Pickup and drop-off requirements
Our team confirms that the appropriate personnel, vehicle and equipment are available before transportation begins.
Continuous supervision
From one trusted adult to another
Passengers receiving specialized behavioral health transportation are never simply dropped off and left on their own.
When required by the transportation program, we provide custodial, door-to-door transportation with hand-to-hand transfers between authorized responsible adults. At pickup, the passenger is received directly from an authorized parent, guardian, caregiver or facility representative. At the destination, the passenger remains supervised until they are safely transferred to the authorized receiving adult.
Passengers are not left unattended at entrances, curbsides or lobbies when a hand-to-hand transfer is required.
This additional level of supervision can provide valuable peace of mind for families, caregivers and facilities, especially when transporting children, individuals with developmental disabilities, or passengers requiring behavioral support.
How we do it
Specialized transportation requires specialized training
For behavioral health transportation requiring additional supervision, an attendant accompanies the passenger and monitors their comfort, behavior, and safety throughout the trip.
Trained drivers and attendants
Training covers recognizing early signs of distress, verbal and physical de-escalation techniques, nonviolent crisis intervention, passenger safety, professional boundaries, and appropriate response during behavioral emergencies.
Calm, patient, prepared
Our team understands that behavior is often a form of communication. Wherever possible the focus is on prevention and de-escalation: recognizing warning signs early, communicating calmly, allowing appropriate space, and offering choices when possible.
Vehicles equipped with safety in mind
Depending on the trip and the safety plan, equipment may include specialized safety restraints, secure door and window controls, wheelchair accessibility equipment, communication equipment and onboard monitoring systems. It is inspected before transportation begins.
Communication throughout the trip
Drivers and attendants stay in contact with dispatch. If there is an unexpected delay, a behavioral concern, a medical issue or a vehicle problem, the appropriate parties are notified according to the passenger’s plan.
Safety without sacrificing dignity
Safe. Secure. Respectful.
Safety is essential, but so is treating every passenger with respect. Our transportation team maintains professional boundaries, protects passenger confidentiality and works to create a calm environment throughout the trip.
Our guidelines specifically require services to be delivered respectfully and without discrimination, while keeping passenger information confidential and limiting it to authorized personnel. Environmental adjustments and approved sensory aids may also be used when included in the passenger’s plan.
Where we take passengers
- Behavioral health facilities
- Treatment programs
- Medical appointments
- Developmental disability programs
- Residential facilities
- Schools and specialized programs
- Rehabilitation services
Not every trip is a medical one. We also provide non-medical transportation to community activities, family gatherings and everyday errands.
Where we go
Service areas we cover
Cuyahoga County
Cleveland, Parma, Brooklyn, Maple Heights, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Beachwood, Lakewood, Rocky River, Westlake, Strongsville, Independence, Brook Park, East Cleveland, Berea, North Olmsted, Fairview Park, Bay Village, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Garfield Heights, Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Middleburg Heights, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Parma Heights, Pepper Pike, Seven Hills, Solon, South Euclid, University Heights, Warrensville Heights
Lorain County
Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Elyria, Grafton, Kipton, LaGrange, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Rochester, Sheffield Lake, Sheffield Village, Vermilion, Wellington
Lake County
Euclid, Wickliffe, Lakeline, Willowick, Willoughby Hills, Richmond Heights, Gates Mills, Kirtland Hills, Willoughby, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Waite Hill, Kirtland, Mentor
Need somewhere outside these areas? Call us at (440) 468-6976.
A different kind of transportation
It takes preparation, patience, communication and people who understand how to respond when a passenger needs additional support.