Walk & Roll Long Beach

Organization Description

The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) has been improving the health of the Long Beach community for over a century. We strive to create a safe and healthy community for all to live, work, and play.

The Health Department has 340 employees located in nine sites around the City. It operates with a $120 million annual budget, 99% of which comes from Federal, State, County, and private funds. Long Beach is one of only three city-run health departments in California, allowing for better engagement with its people, neighborhoods, businesses, and community partners, and a greater understanding of the City's strengths and needs. This local focus allows the Department to coordinate resources from all sources to best meet the needs of our City.

This is an exciting time to be working in Public Health and Human Services. We continue to focus on the core work of Public Health but the conversations and planning have expanded to include the "social determinants of health." These are the pieces of a person's life that impact their health, including poverty, safety, education, and employment. These impacts span generations. It's so important that we are working to address them now. The other conversations are around the "built environment" which include sidewalks, streets, and other infrastructure that provide opportunities for safe and healthy behaviors like walking, biking and social engagement. The greatest predictor of a person's health is where they live.

The Health and Human Services Department, alone, cannot address all of these areas. We must work closely with our many partners at all levels of government, schools, existing collaboratives, non-profit agencies, communities, business and individuals. To reach our vision of a healthy Long Beach, all of us must work collectively, establishing goals and working collaboratively to achieve them.

Every year the Department provides over 350,000 public health visits, 16,000 immunizations, 300,000 food nutrition vouchers, 7,800 food facility inspections, 5,400 miles of spraying for mosquitoes, 2,700 public health nurse visits and 780 recreational water tests. Over 7,000 homeless individuals are assisted with housing and other services.

Our Strategic Plan and the Community Health Improvement Plan outline the health-related goals for our Department and the community.

It is a pleasure to work with my talented staff and our many amazing partners. We look forward to working with you on our journey toward a healthier Long Beach.

All the best,

Kelly Colopy, Director of Health & Human Services

Program Information

Walk & Roll Long Beach promotes street safety for all pedestrians, bicyclists and people using mobility devices throughout the city. The program provides education and resources to help prevent pedestrian and bicycle-related injuries and collisions. Everyone who lives, learns, works and plays in Long Beach deserves to share streets safely.

WHAT WE DO

CLASSES

As more people turn to alternative transportation methods, such as walking, bicycling, e-bikes, e-scooters, skateboarding and roller skating, it is important for everyone--including motorists--to know their responsibilities and the rules of the road.

Our interactive classes, offered in person and virtually, cover a variety of topics related to bicycle and pedestrian safety. We have classes for children and families, older adults and other Long Beach community members. Classes are available in English and Spanish and can be interpreted in, Khmer, Tagalog and ASL.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Walk & Roll hosts and participates in community-based bicycle and pedestrian safety initiatives throughout Long Beach, including:

  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeos: Using a fun, hands-on "learning by doing" approach, youth ages 5-17 build street safety knowledge and bicycle handling skills in a non-competitive environment. Participants practice helmet use, traffic signals and safe riding and walking habits to confidently navigate real-world traffic.
  • On Foot Trainings: In partnership with schools, after-school programs and youth-serving organizations, staff provide dynamic pedestrian and bicycle safety trainings-both on foot and on wheels- so youth can practice safe street habits in a structured setting. 
  • Bicycle Helmet Distributions: FREE bicycle helmets and professional fittings are available to participants of Walk & Roll bicycle safety education at schools and community events. Helmets are funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety and are subject to availability.
  • Event Pop-Ups: Walk & Roll can attend community events with interactive booths featuring games, safety signs, posters, and a spinner wheel to share street safety education and resources. 
  • Walk and Bike Audits: Join a guided walk or bike ride in your neighborhood to share feedback on walkability and bike-ability. Participants observe traffic conditions, sidewalk quality, bike lanes, and overall safety. This community input helps improve street safety and accessibility for everyone.
Health & Safety
Address 
2525 Grand Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90815
United States
General Phone 
(562) 570-7995
Website:
https://www.longbeach.gov/health/healthy-living/community/walk--roll-long-beach/
Student Contact 
Name
Kaelin Peterson
Job Title
Program Coordinator
Phone
(562) 570-7995
Email
Kaelin.Peterson@longbeach.gov
Program(s) 
CHHS - Health Science Internships
Organization type 
Human, Social, or Employment Services (Government)
Focus Population(s)
Non-specific/any population
Focus Area(s)
Advocacy and Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice, Education, Food & Housing Security, Health & Medicine, Natural Resources, the Environment, and Ecosystems, Research and Development