Overarching Goals of the MN Network

• Increase physical activity for children in grades K–8 by increasing opportunities for children to walk and bicycle to schools in Network states;
• Institutionalize the Safe Routes to School program at the state level by building partnerships with state-level agencies, municipalities, and advocacy organizations; and
• Leverage additional resources and policy changes to support walking and bicycling to schools and improvements to the built environment.

Minnesota Network Priority Policies:

• Increase capacity of MN communities to meet Mn/DOT application guidelines for SRTS funding. SRTS Applications Summits are being scheduled for Early 2011, timed in coordination with the next Department of Transportation Safe Routes Application solicitation. Emphasis will be placed on under-represented communities, including low-income communities.
• Pedestrian and bicycle safety curriculum is available to all Minnesotan students. The Network is collaborating with Minnesota Department of Health’s Active Transportation Coordinator to develop curriculum to be made available to District Transportation Directors from across MN at their winter conference (Jan 2011).
• Implement state Complete Streets Policy. The MN Network will connect local projects that demonstrate Complete Streets and support local SRTS initiatives.
• Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) will continue beyond current 2 year cycle. The MN Network supports local Safe Routes to School initiatives to connect and ask questions about their work.
• Additional Priority Policies include incorporating active transportation as part of School Wellness Policies, supporting school site selections to support active transportation, and identifying additional resources to support schools and communities to implement SRTS initiatives in their community

About the Network

The Minnesota Safe Routes to School Network was established in January 2010 and includes approximately 40 organizations and agencies, all of which are interested in advancing the SRTS movement in Minnesota. For a detailed list, go to: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/network/minnesota#network.   The MN SRTS Network is organized by Jill Chamberlain, Project Manager of Community Initiatives for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. The MN Network holds a telephone meeting every month. We discuss action steps for our policy priorities, identify upcoming opportunities to support SRTS, and connect our members from across the state.

Along with the monthly calls, the network communicates additional training opportunities and resources that can assist local communities support their SRTS efforts through the Minnesota Active Living Network Newsletter. To Sign up go to http://preventionminnesota.com/active_living.cfm.  If you are interested in participating in the Minnesota Network, or want more information about it, contact Jill at Minnesota@safroutespartnership.org or 651-662-2192.

The MN Network is part of a national program called The State Network Project, which brings together state leaders to remove barriers to walking and bicycling to and from school. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) State Networks in nineteen states and DC are working to increase physical activity, ensure that federal SRTS funds are spent on quality projects, leverage additional state resources for SRTS initiatives, and advocate to remove barriers to walking and bicycling to schools through a number of policy initiatives.