Creating Safe Routes to School Programs for Tribal Communities

Transcription

1 Creating Safe Routes to School Programs for Tribal Communities Kristin Haukom, M.P.H. August 24,

2 Background on the Guide Created by the Safe Routes to School Technical Assistance Resource Center (now Active Transportation Resource Center) in partnership with Raquelle (Kelly) Myers with the National Indian Justice Center, and other content experts. 2

3 Guide Objectives To provide an overview of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) to Native American Tribes. To describe the primary sources of funding for SRTS activities. To demonstrate opportunities for Native American tribes to participate in and benefit from SRTS activities. 3

4 Guide At A Glance Introduces SRTS programs and offers examples of common SRTS elements that may have more success in rural tribal communities. Includes strategic planning approach to development of SRTS program in a tribal community. Provides overview of Active Transportation Program (ATP) funding with focus on issues of importance to tribal applicants. Concludes with list of several resources to support SRTS program planning, program activities, as well as potential funding sources. 4

5 What is SRTS? SRTS is an internationally recognized set of strategies and activities that are meant to improve the health and safety of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. Where it s safe, get kids walking and bicycling Where it s not safe, make it safe 5

6 Why SRTS? Most children and young adults are not getting the physical activity they need to stay healthy. Sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits are major contributors chronic health conditions and diseases. 6

7 Why SRTS continued Walking and bicycling to school are ideal ways to increase daily physical activity. Investing in SRTS programs and infrastructure helps to ensure that children and the whole community have access to safe, walkable, and bikeable neighborhoods. Additional SRTS benefits include reduced air pollution and increased community cohesion. 7

8 Five Es of SRTS Education Encouragement Engineering Enforcement Evaluation 8

9 Challenges to SRTS in Tribal Communities Large distances between tribal housing and schools A lack of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure Interstates/highways that run through communities A lack of or limited crash and injury data 9

10 SRTS Strategic Planning 10

11 Example from the Guide Objective: Enhance connections between existing pathways that lead from tribal housing to the elementary school bus stop to increase the number of children who can safely actively commute to school. 11

12 Example continued Existing Conditions: o School bus stop is located on a state route. o No sidewalks for children to safely walk from home to school. o Children do not have a safe distance from vehicular traffic to walk alongside the road or to stand and wait for the bus. o There are some trails that exist to get to the bus stop from nearby tribal housing, but the trails do not connect. o Trails have no lighting and are seasonally impassable. o For these reasons, adults drive children to the bus stop or to school. 12

13 Case Study SRTS Work Plan 13

14 Funding SRTS in California Active Transportation Program (ATP): o Administered through Caltrans. o Funds projects and programs to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. $ o Eligible applicants include Tribal Governments (Federally-recognized Native American Tribes). o Examples of ATP projects or programs include: Development of new bikeways and walkways. Development of bike, pedestrian, SRTS, or active transportation plan in a disadvantaged community. Education programs to increase bicycling and walking. 14

15 ATP Cycle 1 Awardee: La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians In 2014, the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians (La Jolla) was awarded $4 million in ATP funding, making it one of the first successful tribal applicants to directly receive federal ATP funds in California. La Jolla described the dangerous conditions and impediments to active transportation and health in its ATP application by using data collected from community assessments and walk and road audits. La Jolla s ATP project is designed to improve safety, increase connectivity, and offer opportunities for healthy and active transportation for students and the entire community. 15

16 SRTS in Tribal Communities 16

17 SRTS in Tribal Communities 17

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19 Contact 19