2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

Home Events & Meetings Annual Meeting Schedule & Program

Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

322803
Access to Safe Routes to School funds in low-income communities


Monday, November 2, 2015

Nancy C. Pullen-Seufert, MPH, National Center for Safe Routes to School, University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC
Infrastructure that supports safe walking is particularly important in low-income communities which experience both a higher rate of pedestrian injuries than other communities and have seen the greatest increases in children walking to school. The Federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program apportioned approximately one billion dollars to states to make walking and bicycling to school safer and more appealing. Did the funds reach low-income communities?

The research team conducted an analysis of schools included in announced funding awards between Jan 1, 2006 and June 30, 2014. The National Center for Education Statistics income classifications for each school were used to organize by Title 1 status (having the highest percentage of low-income families) and Free and Reduced Price Meal Program (FRPM) participation. After analysis, State SRTS Coordinators described measures implemented to support low-income community access to funds.

As of July 1, 2014, among schools to benefit from announced funding, 3,642 (69 percent) were Title I schools, which was significantly more than the overall proportion of schools that are Title I (57 percent). In addition, 47 percent of students enrolled at schools receiving SRTS funds were eligible for FRPM, which is nearly identical to national figures.

In conclusion, low-income communities received a fair share of the funds.   Many State SRTS programs accommodated the needs of low-income communities using such strategies as:  developing an income-based assessment; conducting targeted outreach; and assigning extra points to applications.  Other state and local programs could benefit from considering similar strategies in order to improve access.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Explain to what extent low-income communities have received Federal SRTS funds. Describe the measures used to evaluate low-income community access to funds. List at least one way that States have helped support low-income access to funds.

Keyword(s): Low-Income, Federal Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Associate Director for the National Center for Safe Routes to School (SRTS), US Dept of Transportation's Clearinghouse for the Federal SRTS Program. Served as one of the lead authors for the Federal SRTS Evaluation Plan and the Federal SRTS Progress Report. Work focuses on program evaluation, technical assistance to state and local programs working to promote safe walking/bicycling to school and training development. In the field of children's active commuting since 2002.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3313.0: Developing Physically Active Habits at a Young Age