SRTSNP SoCal Technical assistance available for LA DPH’s HEAL Initiatives

Photo Credit Dude on Bike

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership (National Partnership) Southern California (SoCal) team wants to foster more projects with a component related to active transportation and Safe Routes to School planning, data and policy, capacity and coalition efforts, and transportation finance.

We are providing feedback and comments to cities and organizations interested in applying for the LA County Department of Public Health’s (LA DPH)’s Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL). National Partnership is dedicated to improving active transportation policies in local cities, counties, and transportation agencies’ and increasing the number of and safety for children walking and bicycling to school.

The LA DPH released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals for a contract with up to eight cities, non-profit organizations, and/or school districts in Los Angeles County to develop and implement one or more strategies that will create an environment where it is convenient, safe and easy for community members to eat healthfully and participate in physical activity every day. The grant program is made possible by an award received by the Department of Public Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Transformation Grants initiative. Selected proposers will receive up to $125,000 per year for approximately four years.
Important deadlines and documents for the HEAL RFP:

• Mandatory Intent to Apply Form is due July 30, 2012 by 3:30 PM (PDT).
• Proposals are due by August 30th by 3:30 PM (PDT).
• Find more information at “Open Solicitations for Public Health” section on the LA DPH website: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/cg/

Our SoCal team encourages cities, agencies, and nonprofits to incorporate built environment changes, policies, and planning to address public health, safety, sustainability, housing, and etc. We invite interested applicants to contact the SoCal team for a 20 minute discussion about your initiative, mandatory intent to apply, or draft proposal. The discussion can range from a brainstorming session, reviewing draft documents, connecting with potential partners and decision-makers, and finding ways to tie to Safe Routes to School projects. Additionally, the SoCal team is able to provide technical assistance related to:

• Strategy,
• Planning documents including bicycle and pedestrian master plans, general plan updates and SRTS plans,
• Active transportation and SRTS best practices,
• Public outreach,
• Walk Audits,
• Communications,
• Coordination,
• Education, and
• Multi-level policy initiatives, including complete streets, safety education, walk/bicycle to school days, school drop off/pick up, and reducing speed limits around schools.

If you’d like to set up a quick brainstorm/touch base call on how we can support/collaborate and connect you with other related efforts, email pauline@saferoutespartnership.org.