Safe Routes to School E-News
Issue #29: May 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. Searching for a Host of the 2nd SRTS National Conference
Proposals are due July 1
2. SRTSNP Hiring a Policy Manger to Work from Home in DC
Send resume, cover letter and three writing samples to be considered
3. SRTSNP Holding 2008 Annual Meeting at Pro Walk/Pro Bike
Register now, and send your input on breakout group topics
4. Complete Streets Legislation introduced in House and Senate
Legislation would require roads built with federal funds serve all users
5. Climate Bill Moving Forward
SRTSNP participating to promote carbon reductions through school trips
6. Health Evaluation Consultant hired for Local School Project
UC Berkeley leads the team on evaluations in 10 states
7. 2008 National Household Travel Survey Begins Data Collection
New data topics include additional info on walking and bicycling
8. Applications for South Dakota’s SRTS Program Released in March 2008
Deadline to apply is June 6
9. Arizona’s SRTS Program Awards Funds in Its Second Grant Cycle
Awards were made to 13 of 38 eligible applicants
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
1. Searching for a Host of the 2nd SRTS National Conference
Proposals are due July 1
The National Center for Safe Routes to School and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership are now seeking proposals from potential host agencies to organize the 2nd Safe Routes to School National Conference which would take place during the summer or autumn of 2009. The deadline for proposal submissions is July 1, 2008. To download the complete request, please visit http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/conference/RFP.cfm.
A conference call will be offered to further discuss and field questions surrounding this request on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 from 1:00 – 2:30 EDT. To register for the call, please visit http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/conference/rfp_call.cfm.
The Safe Routes to School National Conference provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations interested and involved with Safe Routes to School to network, engage in educational opportunities and form partnerships to enhance their Safe Routes to School work. The intent of the request is to identify and select an experienced organization that will be responsible for conference and event support, planning, coordinating, fundraising and implementing all aspects related to a three day national meeting of 300-600 program representatives, state DOTs, planners, elected officials, and community members.
The 1st Safe Routes to School National Conference, held in Dearborn, Michigan, in November 2007, exceeded expectations for registration and is considered to have been a resounding success. For more information on the first conference, please visit http://www.saferoutesmichigan.org/nationalconference.htm.
2. SRTSNP Hiring a Policy Manger to Work from Home in DC
Send resume, cover letter and three writing samples to be considered
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 government relation, policy and legislation 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 bills 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 July 2008. Applications will also be accepted from applicants who live outside of the DC area if the applicant is willing to move to DC by September 2008. This position involves some travel.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and three writing samples as one PDF file to deb@saferoutespartnership.org. The receipt of all applications will be responded to in writing. Initial telephone interviews for select candidates will be held on a rolling basis, and the position will be open until filled.
We would appreciate if you would please forward this job announcement to your contacts. For more information see: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/about/4058/103296. No telephone calls please.
3. SRTSNP Holding 2008 Annual Meeting at Pro Walk/Pro Bike
Register now, and send your input on breakout group topics
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is holding its free Annual Meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from 10am-5pm in conjunction with the Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference. Click here to register today.
The National Partnership’s Annual Meeting will be broken into two segments. The morning session will include a summary of the Partnership’s achievements over the previous year, and a choice of break-out sessions. After a break for lunch on your own in Seattle, the afternoon segment will include an overview of the next transportation bill that will succeed SAFETEA-LU, and a time-period for questions and answers. There will then be a discussion and interactive sessions regarding the importance of working with Congressional members to plan field visits and to hear from constituents and to see Safe Routes to School projects in action. The afternoon session will include role-plays, break-out groups, and an opportunity to begin planning for your District meetings with Congressional members.
To help us prepare for break-out sessions at the Annual Meeting, we are asking for your ideas! Please send a short paragraph summarizing each idea you have for a breakout group session and why you think it is important. To be considered as a break-out topic, please send your ideas to Brooke Driesse by Thursday, May 22. Thank you in advance.
4. Complete Streets Legislation introduced in House and Senate
Legislation would require roads built with federal funds serve all users
Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA), took an important step for safer, better designed streets last week by introducing the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 into the US House. The bill would make sure that roads built and improved with federal funds safely serve everyone using the roadway – including pedestrians, people on bicycles or those catching the bus, as well as those with disabilities.
“Once again, gas prices have hit record highs this week. As American families continue to feel the pain at the pump due to the skyrocketing costs of gasoline, they are driving less and less,” said Rep. Matsui. “By diversifying our roadways, we can provide real alternatives to travel by car.”
Meanwhile, Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) signed on last week as the first Republican co-sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, S2686, the Complete Streets Act of 2008, introduced a few weeks ago by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Thomas Carper (D-DE). This is the first time that comprehensive complete streets bills have been introduced in the House and Senate.
“We commend Rep. Matsui and Senators Coleman, Harkin, and Carper for recognizing the importance of making the best investment possible with our federal transportation dollars,” said Barbara McCann, Coordinator of the National Complete Streets Coalition. “States and cities across the country have discovered that completing their streets for all users means safer communities that invite walking, bicycling, and taking transit – and that can help people cope with the rising price of gasoline.”
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has endorsed the Complete Streets bills and serves on the Steering Committee of the National Complete Streets Coalition.
5. Climate Bill Moving Forward
SRTSNP participating to promote carbon reductions through school trips
To help shape the debate on climate change and encourage decision makers to view walking and bicycling as solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is working with a network of organizations, including Smart Growth America, Friends of the Earth, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, American Public Transportation Association, Reconnecting America, and others. The Senate climate change bill is expected to come before full Senate in June, while the House Energy and Commerce Committee is drafting a series of white papers on issues related to climate change and is still in the early stages of developing their legislation.
The SRTS National Partnership sent a letter to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee expressing its interest in legislation to address climate change and requesting the Committee issue a white paper on the transportation sector’s role in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally the Partnership sent a letter to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to urge the Committee to examine how the transportation sector contributes to global warming and public health deficiencies. We have also been working with Congressman Blumenauer’s office (D-OR) as he is planning to introduce legislation that aims to promote smart growth development and other policies and programs (such as Safe Routes to School) that will reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as an economical means of reducing carbon emissions.
The Campaign to End Obesity has also been involved with the climate bill and invites you to attend a Health Policy and Fitness Fair Friday, May 16th from 2:00-4:00 PM in the Rayburn Foyer where you can pick up your copy of their new Congressional Call to Action. Stop by the Rayburn Foyer and learn what Congress can do to reverse the obesity epidemic what you can do improve your personal health.
6. Health Evaluation Consultant hired for Local School Project
UC Berkeley leads the team on evaluations in 10 states
In each of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership’s ten State Network jurisdictions, we are facilitating a SRTS Local School Project at an elementary or middle school. These community-based programs will be led by the State Network Organizer or by a local Technical Service Provider. In order to evaluate the success of the programs from a health perspective, we have received funding from Kaiser Permanente to contract with a Health Evaluation Consultant.
After a nationwide search, we are pleased to announce that the University of California-Berkeley Traffic Safety Center and PPH Partners team has been selected as our Health Evaluation Consultant; they began work in May 2008 and the final report will be completed by December 2009. The team has conducted SRTS evaluations in California, numerous bicycle and pedestrian safety studies, and helped to develop evaluation tools for the National Center for SRTS.
7. 2008 National Household Travel Survey Begins Data Collection
New data topics include additional info on walking and bicycling
The National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) team is moving ahead with data collection. The NHTS is an important tool in policy and planning for almost every aspect of travel demand. The national sample of 25,000 households is complimented by 19 add-on areas that are collecting information from an additional 125,000 households for urban and statewide planning. Travel data for a total of 150,000 households will be collected.
New data topics for the 2008 NHTS include travel to school, interstate use, tolling, work schedule flexibility, hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles, residential deliveries, and additional information on walking and biking. Click here to view the Summary of Content that provides a good idea of core data items.
The NHTS collects travel behavior data for a full year to capture the seasonality of travel across months of the year and days of the week for all modes of travel. They expect to release a preliminary 6-month weighted data file in January 2009 to support in reauthorization and final data files will be available in summer/fall of 2009.
8. Applications for South Dakota’s SRTS Program Released in March 2008
Deadline to apply is June 6
Applications, qualifying criteria, program ideas, and other resources for South Dakota’s SRTS program can be found online. The application deadline for proposals is June 6, and successful applicants can expect to be notified in August 2008. Submissions are reviewed by a selection committee with individuals representing cities, tribes, law enforcement, parent-teacher organizations, the bicycling community, and members of the education and health fields.
Project proposals will be evaluated on their ability to address the 5 components of a successful SRTS program: Engineering, Enforcement, Encouragement, Education and Evaluation. Additionally, the South Dakota SRTS Coordinator is available for free statewide presentations to those communities interested in creating their own Safe Routes to School Program. For more information on the South Dakota SRTS program, please contact the South Dakota SRTS Coordinator, Angela Olson, or visit South Dakota’s SRTS website.
9. Arizona’s SRTS Program Awards Funds in Its Second Grant Cycle
Awards were made to 13 of 38 eligible applicants
The Arizona Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $1 million in Safe Routes to School funds for its second grant cycle. The awards were made to 13 of the 38 eligible applicants throughout the state. $700,000 was awarded for infrastructure projects and $294,500 for non-infrastructure projects. Included in the non-infrastructure awards is $15,000 for the Materials and Regional Support Program, which is aimed at applicants that focus on regional rather than single-school projects.
Earlier this year the ADOT Safe Routes to School Program awarded a total of approximately $35,000 to two communities through its Planning Assistance Program. This program provides basic planning assistance to in-need communities that desire to become engaged in SRTS programs and projects. This consultant-lead effort also includes grant writing assistance that enables the recipients to competitively apply for SRTS funds in support of recommended programs and projects.
For more information on the Arizona SRTS program, please contact SRTS Department of Transportation Coordinator Brian Fellows, or visit the Arizona SRTS website.
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