THE HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA PROJECT LIFESAVER
On August 15, 1988, the Articles of Incorporation for an entity then known as The Stokes County Mountain Rescue Team (SCMRT) were filed with the NC Secretary of State. As the Articles of Incorporation reflect, SCMRT was established as a nonprofit corporation whose initial purpose was to provide a mountain search and rescue squad for Stokes County, NC. At all times, SCMRT and its successor, NCPL, have been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. At inception, NCPL has operated as a volunteer organization with no permanent employees. Currently, NCPL has 21 rescue volunteers, two full-time employees, two part-time employees, and 9 K-9s. NCPL is and has been a Rescue Resource Provider certified by NC Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services, Inc. since 1988.
Beginning in 1995, Stokes County provided funding to NCPL in exchange for NCPL providing rescue services for its citizens. As the rescue services provided by NCPL evolved throughout its years of operation, NCPL recognized a critical need to assist residents (and families of residents) of assisted living facilities who are afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, and other illnesses, who may inadvertently wander from their homes. In 1997, the NC legislature appropriated $141,400 to NCPL for the purpose of funding an 11 county pilot program called Care Trak, which uses electronic transmitters to locate missing presons with such illnesses as Alzheimer's Disease, Down Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injuries or Autism.
The pilot program was a success for many reasons including: (1) NCPL was able to respond to numerous Care Trak calls and safely deliver loved ones back home and (2) NCPL involvement in the search and rescue operation helped relieve the demand placed on local law enforcement agencies when an elderly person wandered. Because of the success of the Care Trak program, it was eventually offered to all 100 counties in the State of North Carolina. However, the public funding for the Care Trak program was problematic. Accordingly, NCPL began receiving funds directly from the families of residents who wanted to participate in the Care Trak program. This private pay arrangement has now evolved from direct pay from residents and their families to agreements between NCPL and the assisting living facility itself.
Beginning in 2004, as NCPL's expertise with the Care Trak program continued to evolve, NCPL began providing additional, related services to assisted living facilities. This evolution resulted in consulting agreements between NCPL and assisted living facilities. These consulting agreements also include "efficicency studies" which aid facilities in improving resident care.