Join a Focus Group in Los Angeles on Climate Change and Health!

The California Department of Public Health is working on a project to better understand how informal community leaders think about community health and climate change as a public health issue, with support from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. Results of these focus groups will be used to develop messages and communications strategies on climate change as a public health issue that can be used to educate, inform and involve diverse communities around the state about this critical issue.

 FOCUS GROUPS will be held in Los Angeles in English and Spanish May 20.

DPH is looking for people in  who are seen as informal “COMMUNITY HEALTH LEADERS” and are involved in community health efforts.WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

• Members of the public who are involved in efforts to promote health in their community through group membership, volunteering, etc.
• Informal/unofficial leaders who are concerned about and active in healthy community efforts Read more of this post

HSIP Call for Projects Released – Apply now for SRTS/Bike/Ped!

On Monday, April 29, 2013, Caltrans Division of Local Assistance announced a Call for Projects for the Cycle 6 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). This Call for Projects is targeted for approximately $150 million for HSIP based on the estimated available programming capacity.

Applications are due by Friday, July 26, 2013 and should be submitted to the attention of the District Local Assistance Engineers (DLAEs). Applications received or postmarked later than July 26 will not be accepted. For program guidelines, application form and other useful documents, please go to http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/HSIP/apply_now.htm Read more of this post

National Center Training For SRTS Expands Capacity in So Cal!

This past week 15 instructors and over 60 participants converged on three schools in Southern California to learn about how to start, expand, and manage Safe Routes to School programs in their communities.  Trainings were held at Troth St. Elementary in Mira Loma, Rancho Cucamonga Middle School, and Sycamore Elementary in Claremont.  Participants learned about the 5 E’s of SRTS (Education, Encouragement, Engineering, Evaluation, and Enforcement) and were presented with best practices from across the country.

It is very exciting to see the SRTS movement continue to grow and expand here in Southern California and on behalf of the National Partnership we would like to thank all of our partners that helped sponsor this event and coordinate activities at each school!

In particular we would like to thank:

• The National Center for Safe Rotues to School
• The California Department of Public Health Technical Advisory Resource Center
• The Riverside County Department of Public Health
• The  County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health
• The Los Angeles County MTA (Metro)
• The City of Rancho Cucamonga
• The City of Claremont
• The City of Mira Loma
• Staff and Principals at each of our schools who took time out of their busy day to meet with trainees!

Sign on to Secure Cap-and-Trade Revenues for Active Transportation!

WE’RE GETTING THERE, SIGN ON NOW!

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is pleased to let you know that the California Air Resources Board recently released its three year Draft Investment Plan (DIP) which outlines a proposal for how California should spend revenues generated by Cap and Trade.  

Thanks to the countless voices that have voiced their support for active transportation,  the plan lists the Safe Routes to School program and the Bicycle Transportation Account as eligible programs for this funding!  

This is a major win for advocates across the state who have been working tirelessly to turn speakers out to meetings, work with their local agencies, and educate elected officials on the importance of active transportation for achieving greenhouse gas reductions and improving public health.

But, the Draft Investment Plan does not specify how much, if any, funding will go to these programs.  This decision will be made by Governor Jerry Brown’s administration and set forth in the May Revise of the state Budget.

We need your organization to sign on to this petition by April 30 and tell Governor Jerry Brown that at least 15 percent of the transportation revenues generated from cap-and-trade should be dedicated to active transportation!

Next Steps Read more of this post