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State Network Project
Background
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership recognizes that the potential for SRTS is much broader than the $612 million in funds approved by Congress in 2005 and available now through State Departments of Transportation. In March 2007, the SRTS National Partnership launched the Safe Routes to School State Network Implementation Project to leverage SRTS resources by creating stakeholder networks in the District of Columbia and nine key states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia.
The nine states and D.C. were selected based on both need and their capacity to support the program. At the local level, each State Network will identify and provide technical assistance to a local school within the community.
Project Goals
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Increase physical activity in school-aged children grades K–8 by increasing the number of children walking and bicycling to schools in ten key states;
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Help to ensure success of the federal SRTS program in the key locations; and
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Institutionalize SRTS state-level programs in the key locations so that it is not dependent on (and does not end after) one short burst of funding.
By linking existing leaders associated with health, bicycle, pedestrian, youth, education, disadvantaged communities, and smart growth organizations, the State Network Project is working to help the SRTS federal program succeed by identifying viable projects for funding, helping fully commit available SRTS funds, and creating and maintaining State SRTS Advisory Committees in states without existing committees.
State networks are also committed to leveraging additional resources for Safe Routes to School, removing barriers to walking and bicycling to schools, and creating an institutional framework for generating long-term policy changes such as: improved state-level recommendations on school siting, Complete Streets, leveraging other government funds for SRTS projects, and fine-based funding mechanisms (such as creating double-fines for speeding in school zones and directing funds from other traffic violations).
Networks
The ten SRTS state networks are partnering with Departments of Transportation, Health and Education, as well as additional stakeholders, including state and regional nonprofit groups, elected officials, businesses, universities and others.
Each SRTS State Network is facilitated by a contracted State Network Organizer, and SRTS State Action Plans created by the networks guide their efforts. Network members help with outreach and promotion, education, research, convening stakeholders within their field, advocacy, and development and ongoing refinement of the State Action Plan. An emphasis is placed on collaborative efforts between agencies, organizations and initiatives with similar goals that may not already be working together. The future of SRTS programs in the U.S. may well be influenced by how well this SRTS State Network program succeeds during the years 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Local School Project
The Local School Project began in February 2008 and will run through December 2009 in conjunction with the State Network Project. Each of the ten State Networks did an analysis of schools through a selection matrix, which ensured they met certain criteria. Once the school was selected, city and school officials were asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Evaluation is currently underway in all ten local schools. Click here to view the locations and names of the ten schools at which the Partnership is implementing its Local School Project. For more information on the local school project, click here.
Supporters
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has provided primary support for the three-year SRTS State Network Project (2007 – 2009). Additional funding for 2008 and 2009 has been secured through matching funds from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Kaiser Permanente. The Project is also funded in part by the Bikes Belong Coalition. Funding for 2009 isn't completely secured, and additional funders for the SRTS State Network Project are still needed.
Reports
Safe Routes to School: Improves the Built Environment
Safe Routes to School: State Networks Create Policy Change
The Safe Routes to School State Network Project: 2007 Annual Progress Report
Establishing a Safe Routes to School State Network: A 10-Step Guide
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