California's "Safe Routes to School" Initiative melds injury prevention with chronic disease prevention as part of an exciting new movement to get kids back on their feet and on their bikes again. The Initiative addresses issues that cross a dozen program lines, including the prevention of pedestrian and bicycle-related injuries, the need to promote physical activity among youth, improving youngsters' awareness of their neighborhood and improving air quality. Since no parent wants their children to walk if it's not safe, the Initiative also includes violence prevention--neighbors working together on projects to clear away trash, slow down traffic and fix broken sidewalks nurtures community building and empowerment. The Initiative focuses on both policy and program development. With new transportation funds available specifically for this purpose, communities across California are discovering the many benefits of providing Safe Routes to School. This work lends itself easily to a multi-sectorial approach, often working with new, very nontraditional partners at both the state and local levels. As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to describe the major steps in implementing a similar initiative, including funding strategies. Participants will receive resource materials such as California's "How To" guide and outreach materials for launching local Walk a Child to School Day events.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe at least five benefits derived from implementing a Safe Routes to School Initiative. 2. Identify three strategies to help foster collaboration on a Safe Routes to School Initiative among unintentional injury prevention, violence prevention, and chronic disease and health promotion colleagues. 3. Describe at least three successful outcomes that can be realized as a result of launching local "Walk a Child to School Day" events. 4. List three Safe Routes to School resources available to assist in the design of similar initiatives
Keywords: Community Building, Injury Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: California Department of Health Services (State and Local Injury Control Section)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by the CA Dept. of Health Services