Kentucky Youth Advocates Promote the Passage of Shared Use Legislation (2012)

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In 2012, the Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) worked to encourage the passage of SB110, a bill that promotes the shared use of school facilities during after school hours, through shared use agreements (SUAs).

Because Latino neighborhoods often lack safe places to be active, SUAs can help encourage physical activity, by providing a nearby space for recreational activities.

In 2011, the KYA  conducted an on-line survey among school principals to learn more about the current state of SUAs across Kentucky. The results found that:

1. Close to 74% of the principals surveyed allowed some form of shared use without a formal agreement;

2. That 97% of principals acknowledged the benefits of shared use agreements like improved community relationships;

3. That issues with liability, security, and vandalism should be addressed in order for SUAs to be more effective; and

4. That 74% of principals would enter or continue using shared use agreements if funding opportunities were available.

Although the Latino population in Kentucky is rather small at 3.2%, the Pew Research Institute reports that between 2000-2010 the state’s Latino population grew by 122%, making it the state with the fourth highest percentage growth rate of Latino inhabitants.

To learn more about the KYA and shared use agreements in Kentucky, click here.

See the full Sharing School Facilities Report here.