The Federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program

The federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program was created by Section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users  (SAFETEA-LU), which was signed into public law (P.L. 109-59) on August, 10 2005.

As a result of this legislation, every state now has dedicated dollars to help with infrastructure improvements (e.g. new sidewalks and traffic calming projects) and noninfrastructure activities to encourage and enable students to walk and bicycle to school.


Other Funding Opportunities

Additional funding information can be found in Appendix F of Michigan's Safe Routes to School Handbook. Visit the Handbook page to download the Handbook in its entirety.

New SR2S Planning Mini-Grant Opportunity from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Childhood obesity continues to be a pervasive health issue across America. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is offering grants to improve Michigan elementary students' physical activity levels and eating habits. These grants are also designed to build sustainable community partnerships that will support continued improvement beyond the grant period.

Building Healthy Communities: Engaging Elementary Schools and Community Partners grant program details, applications and forms are at www.bcbsm.com/buildhealth. Applicants must submit an online Notice of Intent to Apply form by midnight Friday, Feb. 12, 2010.

Fighting childhood obesity is part of the Blues' wide-ranging social mission. Its 2010-2011 Building Healthy Communities grant program features a toolbox of assessments, curricula and activities for elementary students. The tools engage students, parents, staff and community partners in efforts to encourage lifelong physical activity and healthy eating habits among children and those who influence them.


New Funding Opportunity With Active Living Research

Active Living Research has issued a Call for Proposals to support research that informs policy and environmental strategies that increase physical activity among children and adolescents.  A total of $2.6 million will be awarded.  This would be a great opportunity to submit a proposal for Safe Routes to School-related research.  The application deadline is April 14, 2010.

More information is available at http://www.activelivingresearch.org/grantsearch/grantopportunities/current
.


Urban Revitalization 3.0 Grant Program 2010 - Michigan Economic Development Corporation

The goal of the Urban Revitalization 3.0 program is to provide funds to Michigan’s entitlement and Core Communities for high-priority urban revitalization projects. Applications may be submitted for a variety of projects, including but not limited to: public infrastructure, acquisition of property or buildings, façade improvements, way finding signage, public art and downtown trails or bike paths. Communities will be limited to one (1) project submittal that will make an impact on their downtown.

This grant program is available to all Michigan entitlement communities and Michigan Core Communities.

This one-time allocation will require a minimum 50/50 local cash match. Grant funds will be available to individual qualifying communities in any dollar amount between $25,000 and $100,000. A letter from the community stating its financial commitment to the project is required. The total amount of grant funds available in connection with this RFP is $400,000. This will be the only grant round in 2010.

More information is available on the MEDC's website.


New Funding Opportunity with the Health Impact Project

The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, is a national initiative designed to promote the use of health impact assessments (HIAs) as a decision-making tool for policymakers. HIAs are a flexible, data-driven approach that identifies the health consequences of new policies, and develops practical strategies to enhance their health benefits and minimize adverse effects.

The project issued a rolling call for proposals and is now accepting applications to fund up to 15 HIA demonstrations at the local, state or tribal level. Grants will range from between $25,000 and $150,000 each.

For more information and to apply online, visit www.healthimpactproject.org.