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Date: |
September 15, 2026 |
06 |
Title
Authorize Acceptance Of California Department Of Transportation Funding For Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Award (Districts: All)
End
Overview
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are designed to increase opportunities for students and their families to safely walk, bike, roll, and use other forms of active transportation to travel to and from school. These programs support transportation safety, improve access to physical activity, reduce traffic congestion around schools, and contribute to broader climate and public health goals. On September 11, 2024, the County of San Diego (County) Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted the 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP), which establishes actions the County will take to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2045 and achieve a goal of net zero emissions by 2045. The County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Public Health Services (PHS), serves as the lead for implementation of CAP Action T‑5.2 which directs HHSA to develop a countywide SRTS program aimed at achieving a 1.2 percent reduction in school‑related vehicle miles traveled by 2030. The CAP actions were informed through robust, equitable community outreach and engagement, reflecting the lived experiences and voices of residents in the unincorporated area.
In Fiscal Year 2025-26, the HHSA PHS applied for funding through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program and was awarded $700,000, beginning September 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, to develop the County Assessment and Implementation Plan. The project will include a systematic SRTS assessment at ten (10) selected schools within the unincorporated area, community engagement activities, identification of transportation barriers, evaluation of infrastructure needs, and development of recommendations to improve safety and access for students and families. The project will support efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled, reduce GHG emissions, increase active transportation, improve transportation safety, and promote positive health outcomes for San Diego County residents.
Today’s request is for the Board to authorize the acceptance of $700,000 in grant funding from Caltrans for the term of September 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to execute all required grant documents, including any extensions, amendments, and revisions that do not materially impact the program or funding level. Today's action also requests authorization for the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to apply for future funding opportunities that support transportation planning, active transportation, injury prevention, climate action, and community health improvement efforts.
Today's actions support the County’s vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind, as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by improving access to safe active transportation opportunities, increasing physical activity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing transportation equity for children and families throughout unincorporated San Diego County.
Body
Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
1) Waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for cost recovery for grants.
2) Authorize the acceptance of $700,000 in grant funds from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the period of September 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, for the Sustainable Transportation Planning Program.
3) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to execute all required grant documents, upon receipt, including any annual extensions, amendments, and/or revisions thereto that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding level.
4) Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to apply for additional funding opportunity announcements, if available, to support chronic disease prevention and management efforts.
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Equity Impact Statement
This project directly addresses equity issues by prioritizing the needs of students in under-resourced and historically underserved communities. The project focuses on schools with high socioeconomic need (75%+ FRPM), rural communities, areas with poor health and social conditions (California HPI), and neighborhoods facing high environmental burdens (CalEnviroScreen). By improving safe walking and biking routes in these communities, the project increases access to physical activity, helps to reduce health disparities, and ensures that students most affected by transportation and environmental inequities are prioritized. To guarantee effective and equitable outreach, HHSA will build upon its extensive community engagement experience, a key initiative in the County Strategic Plan and utilize the Climate Action Plan Equity Framework.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today's proposed actions support the County of San Diego's Sustainability Goal #1 to engage the community, Sustainability Goal #2 to provide just and equitable access, Sustainability Goal #3 to reduce Green House Gas emissions, and Sustainability Goal #4 to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the region. This will be accomplished by engaging students, families, schools, and community partners in the development of the County's first Safe Routes to School Assessment and Implementation Plan for unincorporated San Diego County, identifying opportunities to increase active transportation, improve transportation safety, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and support healthier, more sustainable communities.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-28 Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, today’s actions will result in estimated costs of $96,194 and revenue of $95,979 in FY 2026-27 and costs of $265,686 and revenue of $265,361 in FY 2027-28, for a total cost of $700,960 and revenue of $700,000 for the entire grant term, to support sustainable communities’ activities. Funds for subsequent years will be included in future operational plans. The funding source is the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program. The waiver of Board Policy B-29 is requested because the funding does not offset all costs. These costs which will not be recovered are estimated at $215 for FY 2026-27 and $325 for FY 2027-28, for a total unrecovered indirect cost of $960 for the entire grant term. The funding source for these unrecovered costs is existing local funding. The public benefit for providing these services far outweighs the costs. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
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Advisory Board Statement
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Background
Chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, are among the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and are associated with significant healthcare costs and reduced quality of life. Regular physical activity is one of the most effective strategies for preventing and managing chronic disease; however, many communities face barriers to safe and convenient opportunities for physical activity. The built environment, including access to sidewalks, bicycle facilities, safe crossings, and connected transportation networks, plays an important role in supporting active lifestyles and improving health outcomes.
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Public Health Services (PHS), has significant experience implementing and supporting active transportation efforts throughout San Diego County. Under the statewide CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL) program, PHS has worked with schools, local jurisdictions, community organizations, and residents to conduct walk audits, implement evidence-based active transportation strategies, support policy, systems, and environmental changes, and advance community-driven approaches. These efforts have helped improve opportunities for physical activity and access to safe transportation options to promote well-being for people across San Diego County. PHS also contributes to regional planning efforts that support healthy community design, transportation safety, and active transportation infrastructure.
A past initiative under CFHL included PHS Healthy Cities, Healthy Residents Initiative (2016-2025) which worked with CalFresh-eligible populations to create healthy communities in six (6) different jurisdictions by supporting residents and cities to advance healthy and equitable planning, policies, and neighborhood environments. CFHL ended April 30, 2026, when H.R. 1 was passed. In the final year of CFHL, Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program objectives in the City of Vista and unincorporated San Diego County resulted in one (1) SRTS pilot plan for Maryland Elementary School and low-cost infrastructure improvements implemented by the County Department of Public Works (DPW) around Cajon Valley School District schools in the unincorporated region.
On September 11, 2024, the County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP), which outlines actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve net zero emissions by 2045. Transportation accounts for approximately 45% of GHG emissions in the unincorporated area. The CAP includes actions to increase the use of zero-emission vehicles and decrease reliance on single-occupancy vehicle trips. CAP Action T-5.2, led by HHSA PHS, directs development of a countywide Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program to reduce school-related vehicle miles traveled by 1.2 percent by 2030. A principal goal of SRTS is to reduce the number of school-related car trips by encouraging walking, bicycling, and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips to reduce emissions and support healthier, more sustainable communities.
Home to nearly 500,000 residents, the County’s unincorporated communities face unique transportation challenges due to their rural and semi-rural characteristics, limited public transportation options, and dispersed development patterns. These conditions create barriers to safe walking and bicycling for students and contribute to traffic safety concerns. From 2018 to 2022, there were 688 collisions in the unincorporated area involving pedestrians and bicyclists, resulting in 685 injuries and 87 fatalities. Expanding safe and accessible active transportation options can improve safety, increase physical activity, and support long-term health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.
To advance CAP Action T-5.2, HHSA PHS applied for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program and was awarded funding. To carry out the grant funded efforts that strengthen safety, sustainability, equity, and mobility, PHS will develop an assessment that will:
• evaluate ten (10) schools,
• compile data on existing conditions,
• create ten (10) SRTS maps,
• inform a range of recommended infrastructure improvements appropriate to each community, and
• create an implementation plan to adopt a regional SRTS plan.
The project will use the SRTS 6 E’s Framework: Education, Encouragement, Engineering, Engagement, Evaluation, and Equity, to guide public engagement and develop SRTS assessments and implementation plans for selected schools. To prioritize which schools will be included in the proposed SRTS assessment, the County will conduct an equity-focused prioritization assessment using key criteria such as the California Healthy Places Index (HPI), CalEnviroScreen, and a school's location within a rural community of 50,000 residents or fewer outside of urbanized areas. PHS has established partnerships with the Department of Planning and Development Services (PDS) and the Department of Public Works (DPW), and other departments with land use authority to support coordinated planning and project implementation. The SRTS plans will identify infrastructure improvements, funding opportunities, and low-cost or quick-build projects that can be advanced with available resources. Recommendations will be aligned with existing County planning efforts, including the Local Roadway Safety Plan, General plan updates, and other relevant initiatives. By creating safer walking and bicycling routes, the project will promote physical activity, support healthy lifestyles, and improve student safety.
Today’s actions request the Board to authorize the acceptance of $700,000 in grant funds from Caltrans for Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program through June 2029. In addition, today’s action includes a request to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to sign all grant documents and any annual extensions, amendments, and/or revisions thereto that do not materially impact or alter the services or funding level, and a request to waive Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery and to apply for additional funding opportunity announcements, if available, to support chronic disease prevention and management efforts.
A waiver of Board Policy B-29 is requested because the funding does not offset all indirect costs. Caltrans for Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program has a cap on the reimbursable indirect cost. These indirect costs will not be offset by grant funding and are estimated at $215 for FY 2026-27 and $325 for FY 2027-28, for a cumulative total of $960 for the entire grant term. The funding source for these costs will be existing local funding. HHSA certifies the public benefit for providing these services far outweighs these costs.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s proposed actions support the Equity (Health) and Community (Quality of Life) initiatives in the County's 2026-2031 Strategic Plan as well as our commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by improving access to safe active transportation opportunities, increasing physical activity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing transportation equity for children and families throughout unincorporated San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
Ebony N. Shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
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