FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact:           Shalanda Cole

January 3, 2008                                                                                    shalandacole@dotd.la.gov

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Safe Routes to School Program opens its second funding cycle on January 3, 2008.  The funding is 100% federal and requires no match. The deadline for submission is February 29, 2008. Schools, local governments and non profit organizations are encouraged to apply.   
The Safe Routes to School Program aims to improve the health of kids and the community by making walking and bicycling to school safer, easier and more enjoyable. The program works to assess the safety of school travel routes; make changes to current conditions; educate students and drivers about safe travel; and encourage walking and biking to school.
Visit http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/planning/highway_safety/safe_routes/ to download the application.  Interested organizations should submit an application to Shalanda Cole, Safe Routes To School Program Coordinator, Louisiana DOTD, P.O. Box 94245, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245.
For more information about the program, email Shalanda Cole at shalandacole@dotd.la.gov.