Safe Routes to School E-News
Issue #25: January 2008
Safe Routes to School E-News is a monthly email newsletter published by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, a growing national network of more than 300 non-profit organizations, government agencies, and professional groups that are working to set goals, share best practices, secure funding, and provide detailed policy input to implementing agencies for advancing the Safe Routes to School national movement.
Please forward Safe Routes to School E-News to others who may be interested!
To receive future issues of E-News, email info@saferoutespartnership.org.
In this issue:
1. SRTSNP Hiring a Policy Manager to Work from Home
Applications due January 31, 2008
2. Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s 2007 Annual Meeting
Minutes and notes from breakout sessions are now available
3. New Funders: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & Kaiser Permanente
Funding to be used towards SRTS State Network Project and other deliverables
4. Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Make Your District a Healthy Place to Learn
5. The National Bike Summit – March 4-6, 2008
Climbing Capitol Hill: Putting Bicyclists In the Seat of Power
6. 2007 City-SRTS Pilot Project Reports Released
Making sure SRTS resources reach all of its intended targets, including the underserved
7. Active Living Research Secures $15M in Funding
Funding to explore ways to increase physical activity, reduce obesity among kids
8. Connecticut Safe Routes to School Awards More Than $1 million
Eligible schools were required to have a SRTS plan
9. Oregon Announces 2008 SRTS Awards
Funds requested exceeded funds awarded by close to $1 million
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
1. SRTSNP Hiring a Policy Manager to Work from Home
Applications due January 31, 2008
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is pleased to announce that we are hiring a full-time Policy Manager who will work from a home office.
The person hired for this exciting new position will work issues such as:
* Ensuring that all states have SRTS Coordinators hired and that grant application guidelines are released in all states;
* Getting SRTS included in federal bill such as the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, climate change legislation, and energy, health and education bills;
* Researching and writing policy papers on issues such has how SRTS has impacted the built environment, Wellness Councils, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as how school siting policies and hazard busing policies affect safety and physical activity;
* Organizing site visits with Congressional members to showcase successful SRTS projects;
* Researching Title 23 requirements for SRTS funding and how various states are complying with federal procedures so that we can make recommendations to lower the overhead and time required;
* Working with national organizations to show the links for SRTS to public health, environmental concerns, complete streets, and more;
* Working on high profile state legislation initiatives that could provide precedent-setting national implications for SRTS;
* Helping to develop SRTS State Networks and grassroots advocacy in states that are not currently served by our State Network Project;
* Fundraising, public speaking and working as a team player on staff;
* And more.
The ideal candidate will live in the DC area, have experience working on federal and state legislation, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be available to start in March 2008. Applications will also be accepted from applicants who live outside of the DC area; however, due to the focus on federal legislation and the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, we hope to hire someone who has easy access to the Hill. This position involves some travel.
The starting salary for the Policy Manager will be $50,000 - $60,000/year DOE, plus health and vacation benefits. A computer and telephone will be provided. The SRTSNP currently has funding for this position for one year, but we expect to raise additional funding (with the help of the new Policy Manager) to continue this work into the future. The Policy Manager will report directly to Deb Hubsmith, Director of the SRTSNP and the person will become an employee of Bikes Belong Foundation, our 501c3 host agency for the SRTSNP.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and three writing samples (all as one PDF file) to deb@saferoutespartnership.org by 5 PM EST on January 31. The receipt of all applications will be responded to in writing. Initial telephone interviews for select candidates will be held on February 11 and 12 from 1 – 5 PM EST.
We would appreciate if you would please forward this job announcement to your contacts. For more information, click here. No telephone calls please.
2. Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s 2007 Annual Meeting
Minutes and notes from breakout sessions are now available
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership held its Annual Meeting in conjunction with the 1st Safe Routes to School National Conference in Dearborn, Michigan on November 7, 2007. The Annual Meeting was kicked off with updates from Tim Arnade, FHWA, Lauren Marchetti, National Center for Safe Routes to School and Deb Hubsmith, SRTSNP. The remainder of the meeting time was spent in break-out groups, generating ideas and discussion on how to overcome obstacles and issues related to specific topics and to create goals for SRTS.
The first set of break-out groups was planned around a “Visioning for the Future” session. The following topics were discussed: Classroom Education and Encouragement; Evaluation and Data; Finding and Keeping Volunteers; Policies at Schools on Walking and Bicycling; Rural School Issues; School of Choice and Desegregation; School Siting; Title 23 Fix for Federal Funding; and Urban School Issues.
The second set of break-out groups were focused on setting goals for Safe Routes to School; participants could choose to focus on federal, state or local goals. Discussions were productive and full of insight in both break-out sessions. Thanks to the efforts of volunteer note-takers, we were able to capture much of what was discussed. Click here to view both the Annual Meeting Minutes and notes from all the break-out sessions, please click here.
3. New Funders: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & Kaiser Permanente
Funding to be used towards SRTS State Network Project and other deliverables
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Bikes Belong Foundation (our host agency) thank Kaiser Permanente and CDC for their generous support for our work!
We are pleased to announce that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a $90,000 contract with the SRTS National Partnership for 2008. This funding has been provided specifically for work on the SRTS State Network Project, which is leveraging resources for implementation of SRTS programs and policies in nine key states and Washington DC. The contract will also result in a series of reports associated with SRTS including how the program is being implemented through Wellness Policies and how SRTS helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the funds provide for efforts towards working with State DOTs and other partners to get SRTS guidelines issued in states that have not yet released a call for applications for the federal SRTS funds.
Kaiser Permanente’s $250,000 grant is for the 2008 and 2009 calendar years, and provides matching funds for the SRTS State Network Project. Their grant will support state level policy work associated with the State Network Project, which is helping states to leverage resources for SRTS, and to share the successes, so that improved policies that support physical activity and safety as part of the journey to school can be replicated nationwide. Kaiser Permanente’s funds will also be used to advance SRTS efforts in California, Georgia, the District of Columbia and Virginia, which are locations where Kaiser Permanente operates health care facilities. In addition, their funding will allow us to expand work on Safe Routes to School in a low-income school in California, Georgia, the District of Columbia, and in northern Virginia.
In addition, the SRTS National Partnership will be working with Kaiser Permanente, CDC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop robust evaluation measures to demonstrate the effectiveness of Safe Routes to School and to distribute the learnings.
4. Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Make Your District a Healthy Place to Learn
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a joint initiative between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. The goal of the Alliance is to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010 by taking bold, innovative steps to help all children live longer and healthier lives.
Experience shows that schools can be powerful places to initiate behavioral and environmental changes for students and staff. With that in mind, the Alliance launched the Healthy Schools Program in 2006, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to provide real tools and solutions for schools to become healthier places. The Healthy Schools Program provides technical support to schools across the country in their efforts to engage the entire school community (administrators, parents and school vendors) in increasing access to physical activity and healthier foods for students and staff. In addition to providing schools with best practices resources and technical support, the Healthy Schools Program recognizes successful schools through a national awards program.
The Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership and the Alliance share an interest in ensuring that schools address safe walking and biking to school. In fact, an element of the Healthy Schools Program criteria for creating a healthier school environment includes that schools have a plan in place to promote safe walking and biking to school!
Participation in the Healthy Schools Program is an excellent way to jumpstart the implementation of school wellness policies, and to share successes with others throughout the country. By joining the program, schools can be recognized for their efforts to build healthier school environments and gain access to best practice support and resources. Examples of support include online training and guidance from a cadre of experts, Implementers’ Toolkits on health and physical activity topics, and customized action plans.
The Healthy Schools Program currently has an onsite presence in all ten states where the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership is working through the State Network Project. Any school – public, private or charter – in the country can join the Healthy Schools Program online at no cost. To learn more about the Healthy Schools Program and to find out if there is a program at your local school, visit www.HealthierGeneration.org.
5. The National Bike Summit – March 4-6, 2008
Climbing Capitol Hill: Putting Bicyclists In the Seat of Power
The legendary polka dot jersey is given to the best climber in the Tour de France. Become a champion of bicycling by climbing Capitol Hill, March 4-6 as a participant in the League of American Bicyclists’ 2008 National Bike Summit in Washington, DC. Pack your suit and discover the power you have to influence national transportation, energy, environment and health policy for the better: For bicycling.
Experience the National Bike Summit:
• Enjoy two-and-a-half unique and full days of workshops, training, and meetings with members of Congress and their staff.
• Join advocates, industry leaders, and retailers to forge a new national consensus on the value of getting more people riding bikes more often.
• Present a comprehensive, actionable, national bicycling agenda to Congress.
The National Bike Summit provides us with a unique opportunity to inform our members of Congress of the importance of bicycling, and to educate them on specific bicycling issues.
There will also be a Safe Routes to School workshop at the National Bike Summit. You’ll hear updates from around the country, a presentation about school siting, and the SRTSNP will be releasing two new reports: “Forming a SRTS State Network: a 10 Step Primer” and an Annual Report with lessons learned from the State Network Project.
Delegates from each and every congressional district in the United States are needed at the National Bike Summit this year. Sign up today at www.bikeleague.org and make sure to register before February 5 to get $100 off your registration costs!
6. 2007 City-SRTS Pilot Project Reports Released
Making sure SRTS resources reach all of its intended targets, including the underserved
The Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) recently posted reports from its 2007 City-SRTS pilot project cities on its website. The reports discuss the communities where workshops were held, unique challenges each community faces in establishing safe routes programs, and how these communities plan to overcome those obstacles. Also, included in the reports are updates on what has been happening in the cities where ALRC held the spring and fall workshops.
The ALRC’s City-SRTS program is based on the notion that most Safe Routes to School programs are designed to work in suburban schools. While the traditional SRTS programs -- such as the 5E’s and Walking Wednesdays -- are great, those models don’t translate well in every community, or in every school. In urban areas, a majority of the kids might already be walking to school. But what about the first word, ’safe,’ in SRTS? The City-SRTS program examines a variety of barriers to safe routes that might not be faced in suburban situations.
To view the new City-SRTS reports, go to: http://www.activelivingresources.org/saferoutestoschool8.php. For a background summary of the City-SRTS program, see: http://www.activelivingresources.org/assets/City-SRTS_report_fnl.pdf.
7. Active Living Research Secures $15M in Funding
Funding to explore ways to increase physical activity, reduce obesity among kids
Active Living Research recently announced that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has reauthorized its program for five years with a $15.4 million allocation for research on environments and policies that support physical activity among children and families. RWJF launched the Active Living Research national program with a $12.5 million grant in 2000.
Active Living Research will continue under the leadership of James Sallis, Ph.D., of San Diego State University. The new program will focus on identifying promising approaches to increasing physical activity and reducing obesity, especially among those at high-risk for obesity, such as ethnic minorities and children living in low-income communities.
RWJF approved the additional funding in October 2007, and Active Living Research will issue its next call for proposals in spring 2008. The grants will be open to researchers in a wide range of disciplines, including public health, public administration, law, economics, recreation, behavioral sciences, medicine, transportation, architecture, city planning, child care and education. Researchers can sign up to receive funding alerts and updates from Active Living Research at http://www.activelivingresearch.org.
Additionally, Active Living Research released a report on physical activity and academic performance in fall 2007- Active Education: Physical Education, Physical Activity & Academic Performance. The report states that available evidence shows that children who are physically active and fit tend to perform better in the classroom.
Active Living Research will hold their annual conference this year in Washington DC on April 9-12. Registration will be available in mid-January at: http://www.activelivingresearch.org/conference/2008.
8. Connecticut Safe Routes to School Awards More Than $1 million
Eligible schools were required to have a SRTS plan
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) recently announced the awarding of more than $1 million in funds for infrastructure projects from the Federal Highway Administration’s SRTS program.
In March 2007, the Department solicited applications statewide for SRTS infrastructure projects. As part of the application process, eligible schools were required to have a documented SRTS Plan. Selected projects will participate in a 100% federally funded cost reimbursement program managed through the Department.
Connecticut will administer federal SRTS infrastructure funds to support the construction of safety projects for local communities walking and biking to nine schools in four towns/cities. Reimbursable grant awards will fund safety projects that include sidewalk and multiuse trail construction; traffic calming improvements; crosswalk improvements and handicap accessible ramp installation and signage.
The Department will also initiate a pilot non-infrastructure program in early 2008. Regional Planning Organizations throughout the state will provide technical assistance to eligible schools in their respective regions. Education, encouragement and evaluation activity assistance will be provided by the University of Connecticut’s Technology Transfer Center.
For more program information, please visit the Connecticut SRTS website or contact Sharon Okoye, the Department’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator.
9. Oregon Announces 2008 SRTS awards
Funds requested exceeded funds awarded by close to $1 million
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) received requests for $2,213,960 in infrastructure funds for 2008, and were able to award $1,388,428 in funds to eight projects that will benefit 20 schools. Projects that were funded include a bicycle and pedestrian path on school property, bicycle shelters, bicycle racks, skateboard racks, sidewalks, traffic-calming signs, a pedestrian-activated crosswalk sign, pedestrian refugee islands, curb extensions, curb ramps and countdown signal heads.
ODOT received requests for $302,343 in non-infrastructure funds for 2008, and awarded $253,643 in non-infrastructure funds to 11 agencies, benefiting 29 schools statewide. SRTS activities that were funded include SRTS Program Manager positions, bicycle and pedestrian safety classes and instructor training, bicycles, helmets, bicycle supplies, crossing guard equipment, promotional materials and overtime speed/crosswalk/school zone enforcement.
An approved Action Plan was required for every K-8 school that was affected by the project proposal at the time of application. The plan initiates evaluation and community involvement activities that prepare the school to seek SRTS project funds through the state program, or to implement SRTS projects and activities with other funding sources.
For more program information, please visit the Oregon SRTS website or contact Julie Yip, the Department’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator.
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
Safe Routes to School news around the country keeps growing! Updated regularly, see our new SRTS in the News media center for the latest in local, state, and national SRTS news.
Help Grow the Partnership!
Joining the Partnership is free. Please encourage other organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies to join the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.
Funding for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership has been generously provided by the Bikes Belong Coalition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Harvest Foundation, and partner affiliates.
For more information, contact:
Deb Hubsmith, Director
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
deb@saferoutespartnership.org
www.saferoutespartnership.org
(415) 454-7430