2007-2008 Summary Annual Report: Training

Training highlights

  • Conducted trainings at the state and local levels including the SRTS National Course, the National Course Instructor Training, Media Training and Skills for Local SRTS Program Development.
  • Developed and launched first web-based asynchronous training, “Skills for Local SRTS Program Development.”
  • Held first six Coaching Action Network Webinars in partnership with America Walks.
  • Sponsored series of SRTS Webinars for transportation professionals in partnership with ITE.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School offers a variety of training opportunities to fit the needs of various audiences. The following courses help build capacity and sustainability of the national Safe Routes to School program:

  • Safe Routes to School National Course
  • SRTS National Course Instructor Training
  • Media Training for State Coordinators
  • Skills for Local SRTS Program Development
  • Training for Engineers and other transportation professionals
  • Coaching Action Network Webinars

Training the trainers

Overall, 140 trained professionals, spread throughout the U.S, have been trained to serve as Safe Routes to School National Course Instructors. In turn, these trainers teach others how to implement SRTS and, in the process, train new leaders.

Free and subsidized training

The National Center strives to make training accessible to diverse audiences. The Safe Routes to School National Course is a primary tool in spreading the word about Safe Routes to School and preparing leaders to sustain the Federal program in the long term. The National Center, in its original proposal for funding, dedicated funds for the delivery of one free training per state.

  • Thirty-one states received an initial round of the Safe Routes to School National Course free of charge.
  • Because of the popularity of the free training, in January 2008 the National Center received additional funding to offer a second round of training.
  • The National Course and the National Course Instructor Training are offered to individuals at a subsidized cost. The National Center has also provided need-based scholarships on a competitive basis to individuals interested in receiving instructor training who demonstrate a commitment to Safe Routes to School.

Online flexibility

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has developed an online version of the Skills for Local Safe Routes to School Program Development training. This online training allows the user to access and view the training modules at any time. The National Center worked in partnership with the Hershey Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition in the development of this free training.

Accessible learning

The Safe Routes to School Guide is an online resource that puts all basic information on program development within reach of general audiences. During the reporting period, the National Center added a Media and Visibility section and an Evaluation section to the SRTS Guide.

In addition, the National Center sponsors a series of SRTS Webinars for transportation professionals. These are developed in partnership with the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

To help provide even more access to Safe Routes to School expertise, the National Center partnered with America Walks to offer free, monthly Webinars. The one-hour sessions are designed to introduce SRTS to new audiences, and to increase skills for current SRTS leaders. Webinars delivered July 2007 though June 2008 included:

Month Title Speaker
January Getting Your Story Out David Levinger, The Mobility Education Foundation, Seattle, WA
February Collaborating with Low-Income Communities of Color Tina Zenzola, WalkSanDiego, San Diego, CA
March Starting a Safe Routes to School Program with Zero Funds Ian Thomas, PedNet Coalition, Columbia, MO
April Who Cares About Safe Routes? How to Make the Case in Your Community? Kit Keller & Linda Tracy, Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals
May Building Community Support for SRTS Programs Dan Burden, Walkable Communities, Inc.
June Sidewalk Safety "Smarts" - WalkBoston's Guide to Safety Training for Second Graders Karen Hartke, WalkBoston

Other core functions: