Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are sustained efforts by parents, schools, community leaders and local, state, and federal governments to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. SRTS programs examine conditions around schools and conduct projects and activities that work to improve safety and accessibility, and reduce traffic and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. The program also addresses the safety concerns of parents by encouraging greater enforcement of traffic laws, educating the public, and exploring ways to create safer routes to school.
By making bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation choice, the program thus encourages a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL RESOURCES
Healthcare providers can take steps to promote safe—walking and rolling to school among their patients and their families. Providers can encourage parents to walk or bike to school with their children in order to ensure both children and adults get their daily physical activity. Providers can also lend a strong and respected voice to community efforts to prevent pedestrian and bicycle injuries and deaths to children.
Physicians interested in being partnered with local schools and/or any schools interested in being partnered with a local physician to support Safe Routes to School Program activities can contact the Obesity Prevention Project at cmaf@thecmafoundation.org or 916.779.6620.
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Regional Physician Advocates (RPAs) are trained physicians who will have the opportunity to network with other trained Physician Advocates in their area. Our goal is to facilitate partnerships between schools and physicians for ongoing collaborations in support of Safe Routes to Schools programs.
Regional Physician Advocates will educate students, teachers, schools and PTAs about the importance of healthy lifestyles, and advocate for healthy students and schools.
The Regional Physician Advocates can:
- Educate students about possible choices to eat healthy and be physically active
- Empower students to advocate for policies that support healthy schools and communities
- Serve on School Wellness Policy committees
- Advocate to School Boards for policies that promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Regional Physician Advocates (RPAs) by Region
Sierra Cascade
Gold Country
- Eric Ramos, MD
- Janet Abshire, MD
- Patricia Flynn, MD
North Coast
Bay Area
- Dexter Louie, MD
- Scott Gee, MD
- Jyoti Rau, MD
Central Valley
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Desert Sierra
Gold Coast
Los Angeles
Orange
San Diego and Imperial
- Robert Christopher Searles, MD
- Jeannie Huang, MD
- Christine Wood, MD
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