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WalkSafe’s Approach : Five E’s Prevention Model Education Encouragement Monroe County Public Schools Engineering Parent and community involvement Funded by SRTS infrastructure Dept of Public Works Metropolitan Planning Organization Evaluation Parent survey, Student tally, and Teacher Survey Enforcement Monroe County Sherriff's Office WalkSafe Program Objectives • To promote healthy living in our children by reducing and preventing childhood obesity through encouraging the children to walk to and from school. • To reduce pediatric pedestrian occurrences by educating the children how to be safe while walking in our communities. • To sustain the WalkSafe program by training the administration and teachers of the individual schools. WalkSafe Program’s Vision Increase Safe Environments Around Schools Encourage Healthy Living Decrease Childhood Obesity Reduce Pediatric Pedestrian Occurrences Engineering Improvements • The following past engineering modifications were completed in approximately 50 schools in target areas throughout MiamiDade County (MDC): New street signage for pedestrians Repaint pavement markings New flashing signals Relocation of speed and loading zones Increase maintenance of the street Relocation of signals and crosswalks • In MDC, SRTS Infrastructure project will match the NonInfrastructure locations for 2007-2009. Twenty-five schools will receive modifications. • In Monroe County, the hope is to match the 2009/2010 SRTS infrastructure project in Key West with WalkSafe as the non-infrastructure project throughout the entire county. WalkSafe Benefits • Increase daily activity levels by teaching children how to play safely in their communities • Encouraging parents to become directly involved in their children's safety and health • Teaching children how to enjoy their living community in a safe way • And providing valuable information to help formulate health and safety community models that can be replicated throughout the country. WalkSafe Program Schedule 2009-2010 Sept. 29th – Oct 6th *Oct. 7th Oct. 8th Oct. 9th Oct. 9th Oct. 25th April 26thApril 30th May 10th – May 14th Mon – Fri Wednesday Thursday Friday Mon - Fri Mon - Fri Mon - Fri Distribute • Teacher Letter •Promotional Items •SRTS Parent Survey and Student Tally •Teacher Survey •School Registration Implement •International Walk to School Day •Classroom Education & Video Implement • Outside Simulation Pick up • School Registration Forms • Teacher Survey Redistribute •Parent survey •Student tally Pick Up •Parent Survey •Student tally Implement • Poster Contest * The program curricula was implemented to coincide with the International Walk to School Day. WalkSafe Curriculum Description Grade Levels Session 1 : October 3rd Session 2 : October 4th Session 3: October 5th Grades K-1 Objectives: Tell L-R-L; Demo of the stop, look and wait procedures. Meaning of green light. Videos: Stop and Look w/ Willy Whistle A Surprise for Otto Outside Simulation: Street crossing activity Reinforce traffic lights and L-R-L by working on workbook Poster Contest: Demonstrate understanding by creating an original poster about being a safe pedestrian Grades 2-3 Objectives: Rules for getting ready for school and for walking to the bus stop Videos: Stop and Look w/ Willy Whistle A Surprise for Otto Outside Simulation: Street crossing activities Reinforce traffic lights and L- R- L by working on workbook Poster Contest: Demonstrate understanding by creating an original poster about being a safe pedestrian Grades 4-5 Objectives: Traffic safety vocabulary Video: Walking w/ your eyes Outside Simulation: Street Crossing activities Reinforce crossing safety by working on workbook Poster Contest: Demonstrate understanding by creating an original poster about being a safe pedestrian * Each session takes approximately a ½ hour to complete. Kick Off Event/ International Walk To School Day SRTS Grant Application Monroe County 2009/2010 • Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration the aim is to make walking and bicycling to school a safe and appealing form of transportation. • In April 2008, University of Miami would like to submit a non-infrastructure (educational) grant for all Monroe County Public Elementary Schools to receive the SRTS Program through the WalkSafe Curriculum. • This grant would match the SRTS Infrastructure grant that is applying for engineering modifications surrounding the schools. WalkSafe Sponsor and Funding Agencies • Sponsored by the Ryder Trauma Center University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/ Jackson Memorial Medical Center • Funding for this program provided by: The Florida Department of Transportation The Children’s Trust FedEx Safe Routes to School Florida Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Addressing a National Problem • In Canada and the United Kingdom pedestrian/bicycle safety is taught nationwide for all school-aged children. • Fewer kids are walking or biking to and from school. In 1969 42% walked to school while in 2001 only 16% of children reported walking to school (CDC,2005). • Most kids aren’t getting the physical activity they need. Recommended 60 min on most, preferably all, days of the week (US DHHS, 2005) Key Points • Child education programs most effective approach to prevention. There is wide acceptance of teaching pedestrian safety skills by using knowledge-base approaches and practical training exercises in a real traffic environment (Zeedyk eta l., 2002). • The United States has spent many years and millions of dollars researching pedestrian and bicycle safety; however, few comprehensive interventions designed to reduce pedestrian injuries in children have been evaluated. • When the use of motor transportation is eliminated around a school area for a short period of time dramatic results are seen. Morning traffic decreased by 23%, the peak ozone decreased by 28%, and asthma-related events for kids decreased by 42% (JAMA,2001).