HEAL Active Transportation Program Syllabus (External) Outline: The primary purpose of the Active Transportation Program is to provide participants with essential skills in planning and implementing bicycle and walking transportation efforts in their communities. Participants will learn how to assess the level of readiness a community has for active transportation policies and projects, how to find resources and get people engaged in the work, and ultimately make communities safer and more accessible through better policies, design, and construction. The secondary purpose of the program is to provide participants opportunities to connect with HEAL staff and New Hampshire experts to help them with specific active transportation issues in their communities. Another important purpose is to connect participants with each other to help build a support network for communities currently working on or interested in working on active transportation projects. HEAL Active Transportation grantees, existing HEAL community coalitions and affiliates, and NH Bicycle Pedestrian Grant Program applicants are encouraged to participate. Ideal participants are people interested in improving access and safety to bicycle and walking opportunities in communities. This includes community volunteers and staff members, particularly Public Works officials, Town Administrators/Managers, school teachers and administrators, police, fire, and health officers among others. Program Delivery: The role of HEAL staff is to: Organize and facilitate the training sessions outlined below that have been established for Active Transportation Grant recipients, existing HEAL community coalitions, and HEAL affiliates. Host monthly conference calls with participants to provide technical assistance on active transportation projects and connect participants to resources. Provide individualized support to participants within HEAL staff capacity. Work with the NH Bicycle Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Committee in developing resources for communities including a 1
design and maintenance guide, a complete streets guide, a bicycle/pedestrian counting program, and other materials. Sessions The following dates will be when Active Transportation sessions will be offered in 2014. The April 22 session is mandatory for Active Transportation Grant recipients; all others are encouraged to attend. Attendance at future sessions is strongly encouraged for all. Topics for the May 13 and September 9 sessions will be determined by those attending the April 22 session. Additional information about potential topics are offered on pages 5-9. The schedule for 2015 sessions will be previewed at the September 9 session. April 22, 9:00am-12:00pm, at HEAL Conference Room 2 Topic: Active Transportation Orientation May 13, 9:00am-12:00pm, at HEAL Conference Room 6 Topic: TBA September 9, 9:00am-12:00pm, at HEAL Conference Room 2 Topic TBA Light lunch will be provided free of charge to attendees at 11:30am and there will be networking time (optional) from 12:00pm-12:30pm. Schedule for Other Opportunities: HEAL staff will be presenting Active Transportation topics at the following programs. Participants are encouraged to attend. June 5 NH Planners Association Annual Conference at UNH Durham: Complete Streets How To: Plenary and Breakout Sessions September 24 NH Bicycle Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Committee Conference October 16 HEAL Conference: Active Transportation Breakout Session December (date TBA) HEAL Leadership Institute: Active Transportation Breakout Session Schedule for Conference Calls: HEAL staff will hold monthly conference calls throughout the year to be available for participants who need assistance with Active Transportation projects in their communities. This will be an opportunity to troubleshoot projects and to also learn from other communities working on similar projects. Conference call line 866-906-9888 / Code 3974286 May 20, 10:00am-12:00pm June 17, 10:00am-12:00pm July 15, 10:00am-12:00pm August 19, 10:00am-12:00pm 2
September 16, 10:00am-12:00pm October 21, 10:00am-12:00pm November 18, 10:00am-12:00pm December 16, 10:00am-12:00pm Locations: Attire: Text: Materials Needed: The April 22, May 13, and September 9 sessions will be at the HEAL office at 125 Airport Road, Concord, NH 03301. Sessions will begin in the bottom floor conference rooms, and locations for field portions will be discussed after topics have been agreed upon by participants. Dress in what you feel most comfortable for classroom sessions and walking around outside. Readings will be a mix of brief news articles and reports from communities who have been doing active transportation work. Where they exist, NH specific examples will be provided. Readings will be distributed after topics have been agreed upon by participants. Notebook, pen or pencil, and readings. Other materials will be discussed on a session-by-session basis. Class and Homework: Classwork will be interactive and will be a combination of discussion, group work, and Q&A. Completing the homework assignments are not mandatory, but doing so will lead to a richer discussion and greater progress in your community. Cancellations: Cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances will be made via email the afternoon before the session days. Contact Information: Nicholas J. Coates (Nik), Active Transportation Coordinator of HEAL NH at the Foundation for Healthy Communities / ncoates@healthynh.com / 603.415.4263 / www.healnh.org / www.facebook.com/healnh. About HEAL: Launched in 2008, HEAL is a convergence of partners dedicated to preventing obesity and ensuring that the people of New Hampshire enjoy health and quality of life through healthy eating and active living. HEAL partners and stakeholders across multiple sectors including: municipalities, schools, health, worksites, food industry, and transportation are working to inspire, promote and advance policy and environmental changes that foster healthy people in healthy places throughout the state. Funding for HEAL is provided by the HNH Foundation, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, Endowment for Health, NH Department of Health and Human Services, Convergence Partnership Fund of Tides Foundation, and NH Charitable Foundation. 3
HEAL Active Transportation Program Sessions April 22, 2014: 9:00am-12:00pm Active Transportation Orientation 9:00am-10:30am: What is Active Transportation, Looking at Active Transportation through a Health Equity Lens, What to Expect This Year 10:30am-11:30am: What are your interests 11:30am-12:00pm: Complete session Teachers: Nik Coates: Active Living Coordinator of HEAL NH, Foundation for Healthy Communities Rebecca Sky: Health & Equity Partnership Project Director, Foundation for Healthy Communities Beth Wheeler: Director of Community Health, Foundation for Healthy Communities Tim Blagden: Executive Director, Bike-Walk Alliance of NH Understand concepts of Active Transportation. Understand what is meant by health equity and how to ensure your work is includes its principles. Understand the purpose and goals of the Active Transportation program. Provide comments to HEAL staff and partners on your interests and goals. Homework: AT Grant Recipients: By May 6, submit one-page project scope for your grant project to HEAL staff for review and comment. Readings: TBA May 13, 9:00am-12:00pm Topic: TBA, chosen from list below September 9, 9:00am-12:00pm Topic TBA, chosen from list below 4
Potential Topics for May 13 and September 9 and Conference Calls 1. Is Your Community Ready for Active Transportation? 9:00am-11:00am: Using the community readiness assessment tool to determine your community s readiness for Active Transportation 11:00am-11:30am: Mock interviews 11:30am-12:00pm: Finish interviews, wrap-up Know how to use the community readiness assessment tool and have practiced using it. Know how to identify who to interview in a community. Know how to develop and implement a plan for a readiness assessment in a community. 2. How to Find People, Get Them Engaged and Grow Your Network 9:00am-10:30am: Community engagement and network building 10:30am-11:30am: Asset mapping: What is it, how to do one 11:30am-12:00pm: Finish asset mapping, wrap-up Have strategies on how to get people involved in active transportation efforts and execute the strategies. Know what asset mapping is and how to conduct one in your community. Have a plan for executing asset mapping in your community. 5
3. What Are the Most Effective Structures for My Community? 9:00am-11:00am: Structural options for carrying out Active Transportation in your community: Technical Advisory, Advisory, and Advocacy 11:00am-11:30am: Identify and document implementation strategies for your community 11:30am-12:00pm: Finish documentation, wrap-up Understand the similarities and differences in community organizational structures for Active Transportation. Know which people should be involved in your organization. Know how to communicate to people what their roles would be and how to pull them together. 4. Assessing Walkability and Bikeability and How to Make Better Planning Decisions 9:00am-10:45am: Field Training: Walkability and bikeability assessment 10:45am-11:30am: How to: Plan one, review and document what you saw, and use the data for decision-making 11:30am-12:00pm: Finish how to, wrap-up Know how to conduct a walkability and bikeability assessment and understand the results. Know how to present the results to decision-makers and what to ask for. Have a plan to complete one in your community. 6
5. How to Make Local Projects Safer and More Accessible for Pedestrians and Bicyclists 9:00am-10:00am: Introduction to what are safer and more accessible designs 10:00am-11:30am: Working with your regional planning commission to collect data and work with your public works staff on resurfacing strategies 11:30am-12:00pm: Involving local elected officials and engaging the public Have a beginner s understanding of what makes for safer and more accessible design for active transportation. Know how to work with your regional planning commission to collect data. Know how to work with public works staff on local resurfacing and construction projects to improve active transportation access and safety. Have a beginner s understanding of how to work with public works staff on a pavement management system. Know how to use the data for decision-making and education of the public and officials. 7
6. Demystifying the DOT, Part 1: Small Changes, Big Results 9:00am-11:30am: How to get involved in and influence DOT project development and resurfacing projects and work with DOT s District Engineers 11:30am-12:00pm: Wrap-up Have a beginner s understanding of what makes for safer and more accessible design for active transportation. Have a beginner s understanding of the steps and decision-making points during the DOT project development process. Have a beginner s understanding of how to work with municipal staff and boards on requesting improvements from DOT. Know how to work with DOT during its design process: who to know, how to work with them, and who to involve from a community, and how to present alternative designs. Know how to rally support for attendance at DOT public meetings. Know who the DOT district engineers are and why they are important. Know where to find the DOT resurfacing schedule and what do with it. 7. Demystifying the DOT, Part 2: Bigger Projects, Changing the Game 9:00am-11:00am: The Regional TIP process and DOT Ten Year Plan 11:00am-11:30am: Coming up with a plan for your community and region 11:30am-12:00pm: Finish planning, wrap-up Know what the regional TIP and Ten Year Plan are and their schedules. Know how to work with a regional planning commission to update the TIP grading process for active transportation projects. Know how to participate in GACIT hearings. 8
8. Advocacy: Planning Your Winning Campaign 9:00am-11:30am: Planning your winning campaign 11:30am-12:00pm: Finish planning, wrap-up Know how to build each element of a successful advocacy campaign from start to finish. Know how to connect the campaign to your community structure and assets. 9. Advocacy: Funding and Implementing Your Winning Campaign 9:00am-11:30am: Funding and implementing your winning campaign 11:30am-12:00pm: Finishing planning, wrap-up Know how to put your advocacy campaign into action. Know how to identify funding resources. 10. Helping Your Community to Achieve Healthier Outcomes Through Policy Analysis 9:30am-11:00am: How to use the new document Policy Analysis: Helping to Achieve Healthier Communities 11:00am-11:30am: Coming up with a plan for your community 11:30am-12:00pm: Finish planning, wrap-up Know how to analyze local planning, zoning and land uses and decisions. Know how to use the analysis to update local policies that will improve healthier outcomes. 9