Safe Routes to School National Partnership Invites Applications for the 2010 and 2011 Safe Routes to School State Network Project
(October 20, 2009) — The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is soliciting applications from states that would like to participate in the Safe Routes to School State Network Project during 2010 and 2011.
Approximately 15 to 20 states will be selected to build or enhance State Networks that will focus on statewide implementation of the Safe Routes to School program, as well as statewide policy changes that will support more walking and bicycling to schools, such as complete streets, school siting, joint-use, and wellness policies. The State Network Project links existing nonprofit and government leaders associated with health, bicycle, pedestrian, youth, education, and smart growth to create and implement state actions plans that will allow children to be more physically active and help reduce and prevent childhood obesity. This project includes a focus on implementing policies that will serve the most vulnerable low-income communities in the state.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the largest health and healthcare foundation in the nation, is committed to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic by the year 2015 and will provide funding so that 15 states can participate in the State Network Project. The Foundation worked with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership to originally launch this program in 2007. Special consideration will be given to the 15 states where the incidence of or risk for childhood obesity is the greatest (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.). Approximately half of the states selected by this call for applications will be awarded to communities in these states. Grant applications are pending with another organization to fund an additional five states.
Eligibility Criteria
- All fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are eligible.
- Applicants must be employees or contractors of nonprofit organizations or universities (for-profit firms and government agencies are not eligible).
- We are encouraging only one application from each state, so entities interested in applying are encouraged to build a statewide network or expand an existing network or coalition.
- Please review additional criteria detailed in the application form.
How to Apply
Applications are due Friday, November 20, 2009 by 5 p.m. EST. This program accepts applications via e-mail only. Please see our call for applications and application form for specific instructions. For further assistance after reading this information, please contact the Robert Ping, state network director: robert@saferoutespartnership.org, 503.289.0441.
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership, a nonprofit advocacy organization, is a network of more than 400 nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and professionals working together to advance the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) movement in the United States, with goals of improving health, transportation, the environment, and communities. www.saferoutespartnership.org
