Joint Use Agreements (JUA) are formed to meet the shared goals and needs of the school and community while focusing on maximizing resources and increasing opportunities for physical activity. This concept affords schools and communities unique opportunities for children and adults to be healthier individuals. A JUA refers to a school forming an ongoing partnership with one or more entities, organizations, or city leaders to share indoor or outdoor space to meet shared goals and community needs. Through the shared use of space, schools and communities see a fiscal benefit while providing added amenities and services for both students and other community members.
Joint use is the practice of allowing the use of public school buildings and/or grounds by non-public school entities and/or vice versa. A JUA is a collaborative agreement between a school and local government or non-profit entity setting forth the terms and conditions for shared use of public property/facility. JUAs can range in scope from relatively simple written agreements, such as opening school playgrounds to the community outside of school hours where both agencies agree to maintain and support the space, to complex collaborations, such as a district allowing community individuals and groups to access all school recreation facilities or allowing schools to access all city or county recreation facilities.
The JUA grant funds must be used to assist schools and communities in achieving collaborative partnerships to improve the overall health status of students and/or other community members by increasing opportunities for physical activity.
For more information on grant requirements, see the following link: https://adecm.ade.arkansas.gov/Attachments/1._2022-2023_JUA_Grant_Guidelines_091105.pdf#page=3
