About
Virginia Walkability Action Institute
The Virginia Walkability Action Institute (VWAI) works with local and regional teams to create policy, system, and environmental (PSE) changes in local communities. The goal is to increase access to physical activity, with a focus on walking and walkability. Members receive training and technical assistance, both in-person and virtually. Teams develop a detailed action plan to pursue a policy or system change to improve walking, biking, taking public transit and using micro-mobility devices (e.g. e-scooters) in their communities.
Virginia Department of Health (VDH), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHS).
The VWAI is facilitated by a cadre of national and statewide faculty and supports the Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Walking and Walkability and Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition. The VWAI also supports Virginia’s collective efforts to create neighborhoods and environments that promote health and safety through walking and bicycling (Healthy People 2030). Participating individuals and teams are engaged through multiple methods (e.g., didactic, experiential, discussions, etc.) within a structured and practical learning atmosphere. The VWAI consists of in-person and distance learning modules, on-going technical assistance, and special project funding.
Our 2023 VWAI Cohort Applications are CLOSED. Please subscribe to our newsletter to get the announcement for our next application cycle in Fall 2023!
VWAI Alumni Special Projects
As part of the Virginia Walkability Action Institute, teams and individual members plan and complete a special project aimed at improving access to walking, cycling, public transit, and micro-mobility devices in their community. Below are a few project examples from past cohorts.
Officials in Fairfax County worked together to launch traffic garden to help teach safe walking & cycling habits.
Partners in Waynesboro worked together with students to paint a colourful street mural in front of a local school.
2022 VWAI Road Safety Assessments
In partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation, teams and individual members of VWAI conducted a Road Safety Assessment (RSA) along a selected corridor in their community with the assistance of VDOT. Below are a few examples from our most recent cohort.
Public Workshops
In addition to the core curriculum offered exclusively for VWAI cohort members, the VWAI also offers a free monthly workshop series that is open to all residents and practitioners in Virginia. Our next workshop series will run from November 2022 to August 2023 and all workshops will be offered in a virtual format. The 2022 Workshop Series recordings are available to watch!
Upcoming Workshops
May 4, 2023 – Enhancing Walkability through Creative Placemaking with Leonardo Vasquez
Workshop Recordings
- PATHS Road Safety Assessments Recording
- Other resources:
- Virginia Community Health Improvement Map Data: https://
virginiawellbeing.com/ virginia-community-health- improvement-data-portal/ virginia-map-room/ - Happily Natural: https://thenaturalfestival.
com/ - Kinfolk Community: https://www.kinfolkcommunity.
com/ - Southside ReLeaf: https://www.southsidereleaf.
org/ - Groundwork RVA: https://www.groundworkrva.org/
- Reparative Justice: https://nebhe.org/
reparative-justice/
- Virginia Community Health Improvement Map Data: https://
- Watch the webinar recording!
- View the presentation slides! Additional resources are linked within the slides.
- Other resources shared during the presentation:
- Takoma Park Equity Walk Video and blogpost
- Healthy Savannah Walk and Roll Toolkit
- Blogpost on partnering with librarians
- Safe Routes to Healthy Food Report
- Watch the recording here!
- View the presentation slide deck.
- Other resources or guidance shared during the webinar:
- Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative (June 12 grant applications due)
- Ideas and Inspiration for Creative Placemaking with Before/After Photos and Videos at https://www.urb-i.com/
- NEA’s How to Do Creative Placemaking
- Consider connecting with state art agencies (i.e., Virginia Commission for the Arts)
- Consider connecting with Community Foundations for small creative placemaking grants (i.e., Map of Community Foundations of Virginia
How to Engage
The VWAI coordinates one cohort each year.
The application period for the 2023 cohort is now closed. Please check back in Fall 2023 for our next application cycle!
VWAI Contact:
- Melicent Miller, DrPH, MSPH
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Health Equity Consultant, Virginia Department of Health
- melicent.miller@vdh.virginia.gov