Danielle Hewson, MPH CHES N.C. Division of Public Health Healthy Schools Summer Institute: Casting Your Net for Partners in Health Friday, June 27, 2014

Fewer kids walk or bike to school (U.S. DOT, 2009) 15% of NC children ages 5-17 live within 1 mile of their school 34% live within 2 miles, however… Only 4% walk or bike to school. (CHAMP, 2011) Parents driving their children to school amount for up to 25% of morning rush hour traffic. (Parisi Associates, 2003; Morris, 2001) Image: Provided by Joel Cranford Why Focus on Walking and Biking to School?

Benefits of Walking and Biking to School Improves health – decreased obesity and asthma-related events Teaches fundamental safety skills Increases sense of freedom and responsibility Children Improves the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists Provides cost savings by reducing need for “hazard” busing Benefits the local economy by funding construction projects School/ Community Improves air quality by reducing vehicle emissions Reduces traffic congestion near schools Environment

What is Active Routes to School? NC Department of Transportation and NC Division of Public Health Administered through local NC health departments in 10 regions Partnership NC Safe Routes to School initiatives Community Transformation Grant Project partnerships Local, regional and state community safety and health initiatives Alignment Three year project Timing

Active Routes to School Goal Increase the number of elementary and middle school students who safely walk and bike to school.

Legend Active Routes To School Lead Health Departments Community Transformation Grant Project Lead Health Departments Counties Regions Last updated: 04/21/14 Active Routes to School Regions

Hired and trained staff Complete regional assessments Begin establishing partnerships Begin execution of work plan and intervention activities Identify and engage schools Start evaluation Year 3 May 2016 Continue execution of work plan and intervention activities Plan for sustainability Complete evaluation and report results Program End Demonstrate growth that exceeds the baseline Create momentum to achieve future sustainability Year 2 Current Year 1 Project Timeline

Assessment Outcome Creates baseline for NC Used in development of work plans for years 2 and 3 Components All walking, biking and awareness-raising activities Trainings/Workshops Policy change efforts for towns and schools Criteria Schools (K-8) July 2012-June 2013 academic school year

Project Activities Increase awareness about the importance of Safe Routes to School Awareness-Raising Events Increase the number of programs that encourage walking and biking to school Ongoing Programs Increase the number of trainings on how to implement Safe Routes to School Trainings/Workshops Increase the number of policies that support walking and biking to school Policy Changes Develop a plan for an infrastructure issue statement to identify a physical improvement to local infrastructure for future exploration Built Environment Changes

National Bike to School Day Region 7 – East Clayton Elementary

National Bike to School Day Region 4 - Woodlawn Elementary Region 9 – Nags Head Elementary Region 4 – Grand Oak Elementary

Partnership Opportunities Partnership Meetings Programming Infrastructure Statements Trainings and Webinars

Region 1 Coordinator: Chip Carringer Office: Cell: Region 3 Coordinator: Clint Cresawn Office: (828) ext. 134 Region 5 Coordinator: Jennifer Delcourt Office: Cell: Region 7 Coordinator: Gavin Coombs Office: Cell: Region 9 Coordinator: Leah Mayo Cell: Lead Project Contact: Danielle Hewson Office: Region 2 Coordinator: Mary Smith Office: Cell: Region 4 Coordinator: George Berger Office: Cell: Region 6 Coordinator: Rebekah West Cell: Region 8 Coordinator: Shahnee Haire Office: Region 10 Coordinator: Stefanie Keen Office: Cell:

Thank you Danielle Hewson, MPH, CHES