Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership

  1. Whereas a Safe Routes to School National Partnership has been established and the Partnership has agreed upon a Consensus Statement.
  2. Whereas Safe Routes to School programs provide an excellent way to achieve numerous public policy goals related to: 
  • Decreasing traffic congestion
  • Improving health and reducing childhood obesity 
  • Increasing physical activity 
  • Improving air quality 
  • Increasing community safety and access
  • Whereas the Goals of the Partnership are to support the development and implementation of successful Safe Routes to School programs throughout the United States .
  • Whereas the Principles bringing together the Partners are a desire to: 
    • Set goals for successful implementation of Safe Routes to Schools programs 
    • Share “best practices” information with all interested parties 
    • Leverage infrastructure and program funding to assist with program implementation 
    • Provide sound and consistent policy input to implementing agencies 
    • Provide effective training and educational resource materials to assist communities in establishing and implementing Safe Routes to School programs 
    • Provide a unified voice for Safe Routes to School
  • Whereas two coordinating meetings of national Safe Routes to Schools interest groups were held in June of 2003 and 2004, and these meetings established the need for a Partnership by highlighting the benefits of working collaboratively with a broad spectrum of multidisciplinary organizations and interest groups.

    • Therefore be it now resolved that the signers of this Memorandum of Understanding, as members of the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership, agree that:

    1. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is a vital forum for bringing together organizations and groups with a common desire to see Safe Routes to School programs flourish and grow throughout the United States.
    2. Safe Routes to School programs are needed throughout the United States and should be structured in accordance with the principles outlined in the Consensus Statement that accompanies this MOU and as exemplified by the Safe Routes to School program in section 1404 of Title I of The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
    3. There is a need to continue to develop a common strategy for advancing the Safe Routes to School movement.
    4. There is a critical need to have available a full range of educational, promotional, technical and financial resources to implement Safe Routes to School programs, and that the Partnership groups will work together to identify and create missing resources and tools.
    5. Partnership groups will work to expand the reach of Safe Routes to School to involve more diverse constituents at local, state and national levels including parents, students, teachers, school officials, elected officials, transportation professionals, law enforcement, health organizations, and other community partners.
    6. The undersigned will incorporate Safe Routes to School programs in our conferences, agendas, and educational materials, and collaborate with other Partners to present this information to as wide an audience as possible.
    7. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership can be most successful in delivering Safe Routes to School programs throughout the nation by speaking with a united voice regarding the needs and means for developing and sustaining successful Safe Routes to School programs.
    8. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership will work to assure an adequate and representative participatory process for the development of federal and state guidelines for the implementation of Safe Routes to School program that result from legislation.
    9. Sharing best practices for Safe Routes to School with other countries will strengthen the impact of our programs in the United States and abroad.
    10. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership will meet at least once a year to continue to advance the movement in the United States, and assess our collective progress.

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