Voices for Healthy Kids Framework for Equity-Focused Complete Streets Policies
DESCRIPTION
Public policies that specifically address the needs of underserved communities or communities of concern are gaining momentum. In 2018, Voices for Healthy Kids supported numerous complete streets policies that adopted strong language to address health equity in unique ways. Tucson, Arizona; Baltimore, Maryland; and Des Moines, Iowa stand out as examples of locations passed transportation policies that are strong in their approach, language, and commitment to addressing health disparities. These campaigns utilized the Voices for Healthy Kids framework to include health equity in transportation policy by recognizing that each community is unique and will have different needs.
LESSONS LEARNED
For successful and most-impactful implementation, local communities must identify how they want to lead on addressing equity in their transportation policy. In these three cities, policy language that included community engagement, prioritization of investment in low income communities, and a demonstrated plan of implementation and measurement have been critical in addressing the consequences of past transportation policy decisions. With committed community engagement, continued dialogue, and strong policy langauge, we have seen communities make a commitment to intentionally invest first in areas with the most need. Community involvement has been invaluable and has pressured decision makers to include strong langauge that would result in equitable investment. Not every community will address
equity in the same way, but with the model we have established, there are many ways that a community can acheive equity investments. Moving forward, the Voices for Healthy Kids framework will focus on investment in implementation and supporting those policies as they are implemented.
CONCLUSION
Policies that attempt to address equity are more effective when they include performance metrics, community members, transparency, and specific language that identifies those populations impacted by poor infrastructure investments. Since 2017, we have seen more communities move towards adopting policies that will help achieve equity in transportation policy and expect this trend to grow as communities see improved results.
1 https://www.ihrp.uic.edu/content/equity-complete-streets-policies-fact-sheets-research-briefs.
Presenter: Claudia Goytia
Agency Affiliation: American Heart Association
Presenter Biographical Statement: [biography]
Claudia Goytia is an experienced legislative and public policy strategist with background in health, equity, active transportation and governance. Ms. Goytia combines 12 years of experience working in state government and the non-profit sector, serving in management roles, leading teams to build capacity, transform public policy and mobilize advocacy efforts. As a leader she has guided community coalitions, small businesses, and non-profits to successfully engage in the political process resulting in transformative policy outcomes for communities. In 2014, Claudia joined the American Heart Association as Government Relations Director in the Los Angeles area. In her tenure she excelled at understanding the policy landscape at the local and state level to support advancement of the mission of the American Heart Association. Claudia credits her success to her persistence, strong community connections and campaign strategy background. In her current role with the Voices for Healthy Kids initiative, Claudia employs her experience to support grantees throughout the nation with advocacy campaigns focused on active transportation and Head Start. Claudia is an immigrant of El Salvador, graduate of California Polytechnic University of Pomona and a mother of two, a 16-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy.
Category
Identifying and addressing health disparities and health equity consequences of transportation policy and infrastructure
Description
Before embarking on a journey through the conference posters and providing a brief diversion for the poster presenters to get set-up, a roadmap and gazetteer describing the posters will be presented. This will help attendees efficiently navigate their way based on their own interests.
Poster Session and Networking Reception
The reception will feature refreshments along with the posters.
Date
Wednesday, December 11, 12/11/2019
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location
Keck Atrium