Executing joint use agreements to improve access to physical activity for 100,000 residents in priority areas in broward county, Florida

INTRODUCTION: Joint Use Agreement (JUA) sets forth terms for shared use of public property and facilities, enhancing physical activity opportunities for residents. Through TOUCH Broward, a collaborative effort amongst more than 30 community partners to reduce health disparities and improve the health and well-being for all Broward residents, the YMCA of Broward, a key TOUCH partner, is tasked with establishing JUAs across underserved areas in Broward County. Through JUA spread, the YMCA will ensure more than 100,000 residents have access to safe places conducive to physical activity (PA) by 2016. METHODS: The YMCA identifies municipalities and county organizations to develop JUAs based on community engagement processes and socio-economic need. Communities with the highest rates of health disparities, identified via spatial modeling, are prioritized. The Y nuances its JUA template to meet complex and challenging partner organization requirements. Once executed, the Y offers evidence based intergenerational programming that are culturally adapted to each community's needs. RESULTS: To date the Y has implemented 35 JUAs with county, municipal, and community based organizations. Current JUAs serve an estimated 21,660 residents, with 100,000 to be served by 2016. Based upon years of effective JUA execution, the Y has developed a JUA toolkit of promising practices and templates that is available municipalities and county organizations working on JUAs. CONCLUSION: JUAs support the extension of partner programming in priority communities, thereby improving safe and cost-sensitive PA options for intergenerational residents. The toolkit facilitates further reach of JUAs and provides a digestible template for partners.