iowa safe routes to school project funding provided by
TRANSCRIPT
Iowa Safe Routes to School Project
Funding provided by
I-WALK Partnership & Purpose
Assist communities in the development,
implementation, and evaluation
of local Safe Routes to School programs
I-WALK Goal
To develop a sustainable model for community coalitions to continuously update, implement, and evaluate the local Safe Routes to School
(SRTS) plan.
I-WALK PhasesPhase 1: Organization
Coalition formation/planning
Phase 2: Initial operationsProgram implementation: Teacher Tally, Parent/Child Survey,
GPS walkability audit, Expansion of coalition
Phase 3: Early sustainability planning
I-WALK Success: A Focus on Building Coalitions
• All coalitions are meeting and most are meeting on a regular basis
• 54% I-WALK communities had coalition meeting previous month
• Members attending meetings range from 4-19
Coalition Members
Benefits of a Community Coalition
• Enhances understanding of the need for SRTS
• Expands networking opportunities
• Strengthens political position in community
• Increases access to funding opportunities that require collaboration
Keys to an Effective Coalition
• Create a clear mission and goals
• Identify specific action steps to achieve goals
• Define roles of coalition members: – Level of time commitment– Needed area of expertise– Nature of participation
(communication, share resources, actively participate)
Identifying Coalition Members: WIIFM?
• What’s In It For Me ?– How does being a part of your coalition help
achieve their goals—professional and/or personal?
• Professional: helps them expand their program outreach, updates to current happenings in community they can be involved in
• Personal: They may have a child at that school who WOB to school, personal interest in wellness
Coalition Members
Student:How your coalition benefits
How can your coalition benefit from having a student on it?
• Identification of barriers adults may not be aware of
• Unique insight into peer groups
• Assist with awareness efforts
Student: WIIFM?
How could a student benefit from being a part of the coalition?
• Making a difference• Voice is being heard• Visible changes in school environment• Leadership opportunity
Coalition Meetings: Keeping Interest
• State meeting and project goals and objectives at each meeting
• Keep the meetings productive and action oriented: What needs to be done, by whom, by when, to accomplish what
• Share project successes and progress toward goals
• Allow members to share their program updates
Local Public Health: Finding your Niche
Leading the way!
Amy Marlow, DirectorBuchanan County Public Health DepartmentIndependence, Iowawww.co.buchanan.ia.us
Department of Natural Resources
WIIFM? Insight from a coalition member…
Scot MichelsonPark RangerDepartment of Natural ResourcesFayette, Iowa
Department of Public Safety
State partners with local resources:
Mick MulhernProgram Administrator/Youth Coordinator Iowa Department of Public SafetyIowa Governor's Traffic Safety BureauDes Moines, Iowa
Department of Education: School Transportation Directors
State partners with local resources:
Max ChristensenSchool TransportationDepartment of EducationDes Moines, Iowa
Online Resources
• Building a case for SRTS: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/getting_started/what_is_srts.cfm
• Iowans Fit for Lifehttp://www.idph.state.ia.us/iowansfitforlife/
• Iowa Department of Natural Resourceshttp://www.iowadnr.gov/index.html
• Iowa Department of Public Safetyhttp://www.dps.state.ia.us/
• Iowa Department of Educationhttp://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1240&Itemid=2125
Questions?
If you have additional questions that were not answered during this call, please direct them to: Tami Larson [email protected]
Thank you!
www.i-walk.org