Grant writing workshops Oct-Nov 2006 for Missouri Safe Routes to School funds

The first round of funding for Missouri's Safe Routes to School program is coming up soon. There will be approximately $2 million in funding available on a competitive basis.

Projects may be infrastracture (sidewalks, crosswalks, improving intersections, bike racks, etc.), non-infrastructure (education and encouragement, safety education), or even include a component of both.

Since this a new program for Missouri, those will be at a great advantage who have taken the time to learn how the program works and to assemble a community team including individuals from the school, the city, law enforcements, PTA or PTO groups to work together on the application process.

The grants are 100% federal grants, with no local match required.

Missouri Safe Routes to School Coordinator Todd Messenger of MoDOT will be giving a series of sessions around the state designed to explain the Safe Routes to School program and how communities can apply for grants under the program.

The sessions will be held in late October and early November. See the complete list of dates and places below.

Registration form and other information

Registration form
Letter about the sessions
Safe Routes to School Program Flyer

IMPORTANT NOTE: The deadline listed on the registration form has passed. However there is still room available in all the sessions and I understand registration forms will still be accepted if you simply fax the form to the number listed (573-634-5977) as soon as possible.

Who may be interested in these sessions?
A successful Safe Routes to School program requires coordination among schools (teachers, administrators, nurses, school boards, etc.), parents (PTAs/PTOs), cities and other governmental organizations (political leaders, law enforcement, public works, planners), and community members.

So any one of those people may be interested in attending the grant writing session to find out more about the Safe Routes to School program and the grants that area available.

What is Safe Routes to Schools?
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national program designed to get more kids active and healthy by safely walking and bicycling to school.

The national SRTS program is based on successful pilot programs that used a combination of encouragement and education (safety education, special events, contests, prizes, walking school buses) and engineering (fixing unsafe roads, crosswalks, intersections, sidewalks) to greatly increase the number of children walking and bicycling to school while simultaneously reducing traffic and congestion around schools.

More information and resources here.

A complete list of the grant writing sessions and dates

MACON
October 30, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Comfort Suites, 1321 N. Missouri, Macon, Missouri

MOUNTAIN VIEW
October 31, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Mountain View Community Center, 125 East First Street, Mountain View, Missouri

HANNIBAL
November 1, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Quality Inn, 120 Lindsey Drive, Hannibal, Missouri

ST. LOUIS
November 2, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis, Missouri

COLUMBIA
November 3, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Stoney Creek Inn, 2601 Providence Road, Columbia, Missouri

SPRINGFIELD
November 6, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Lamp Lighter North, 2820 North Glenstone, Springfield, Missouri

JOPLIN
November 7, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn, 3615 Range Line Road, Joplin, Missouri

KANSAS CITY/BLUE SPRINGS
November 8, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Courtyard by Marriot, Adam’s Point Conference Center
1500 N.E. Coronado Drive, Blue Springs, Missouri

ST. JOSEPH
November 9, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Pony Express National Museum, 914 Penn Street, St. Joseph, Missouri

CAPE GIRARDEAU
November 14, 2006, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Osage Community Center, 1625 North Kings Highway, Cape Girardeau, Missouri