Director's Notes
Remember my dream of having every child in Georgia have access to a Safe Kids? As I embark upon my sixth year in January with 28 existing coalitions and 4 additional counties waiting in the wings, I am amazed that my vision is fast becoming a reality. Of course, the new Coordinators don’t seem to mind at all being acknowledged as coalition 29, 30, 31 etc. So many successes have ensued since my last communiqué. Megan Popielarczyk, our PHPS Fellow begins October 1st and will remain with us for 2 years. Terri cannot wait to have a compatriot with a Masters in Public Health to exchange ideas with, which are sure to result in program efficacy and development. The Safe Kids Georgia Board Finance Committee has some new streamlined reporting structures that you can expect to see shortly. Most importantly, I realize that times are tough resulting in travel cuts to conferences. While on one of my sleepless nights I had a thought! Why not have the State Office gather dollars to help fund a Coalition Coordinator road trip to the Safe Kids USA Leadership Conference in November? Within a matter of days GM so graciously has stepped up to the plate and will provide the vehicles, the gas and the love for Safe Kids that is so evident with their consistent generosity. Organization of this endeavor will begin when our new intern comes on board in 2 weeks. More to come……
Always,
Beverly
A Chat with Alex Johnston, SKG Board Chairman
What would you like your legacy to be? To leave the organization in a better place then when I got here. Specifically, to grow our coalitions and expand our reach throughout the state which includes educating parents about all the things we do to keep their kids safe. The best part of being involved is the people that you get to meet and work with every day that share the same passion. What makes Safe Kids so powerful is that unlike the tragedies children endure with diseases, ours are preventable. We have the power to educate and eradicate injury and death just simply through awareness.
Why Safe Kids? I am very passionate about prevention. I grew up in a family that places a premium on safety and prevention. My dad still wishes that I would wear my helmet 24 hours a day. The fact that these injuries can be avoided with a minimum amount of effort has stayed with me throughout my adult years. It is amazing that the number one cause of death for our children does not have to happen which is why I am such a proponent for Safe Kids.
How long have you been with SKG? I have been with SKG for five years and have served as Chair for 18 months.
What expectations of Board Members do you have? That they share the same passion and enthusiasm for protecting Georgia’s children from unintentional injury and that they bring donuts and coffee to board meetings of course.
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Did you Know?
National Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Week is September 18-24, 2011. This is a perfect time for you to promote child Safety in and around vehicles in your community. Four out of five car seats are used incorrectly, but by working together we can educate parents and caregivers on the best ways to protect their most precious cargo. As of July 1, 2011, Georgia's Child Restraint Law officially changed. Now, all children up to the age of 8 are required to sit in the rear of the vehicle and be in an approved child restraint. Many parents don't fully understand the value of their child safety restraints and how they are so important to the safety of their child. CPS Technicians help to explain why to use the child restraint, why we need to keep children rear facing up to 2 years and why, 7 and 8 year-olds can stay in a booster seat. This valuable information can help families protect children from the leading cause of traumatic injury in the U.S.
What can you do to help during Child Passenger Safety Week?
1. Place a message on your business or organization's marquee, reminding parents to get their car seats checked; 2. Contact your local Safe Kids Coalition to see if you can volunteer; 3. Have CPS fliers available for your customers and clients; 4. Encourage your friends and family to make time to have their car seats checked and, 5. Visit GOHS and NHTSA for more information.
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Give Kids a Boost Event with Safe Kids East Central
July 27 at Richmond County Health Department
97 kids were seen; 79 adults were educated; 87 backless boosters distributed; 1 highback boosters distributed; 6 unsafe seats were replaced with new ones; 3 additional children were assessed in their own seat or the vehicle seat.
August 5 event at the Georgia State Patrol, Post 25
61 kids were seen; 38 adults were educated; 35 backless boosters distributed; 3 highback boosters distributed; 4 unsafe seats were replaced with new ones; 19 additional children were assessed in their own seat or the vehicle seat.
*photo credit Augusta Family Magazine
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Safe Kids Victory in Gainesville/Hall County
On June 6, a Hall County mother was involved in a 4 car motor vehicle crash in Gwinnett County. Traveling with her, were her 1 year-old and 2 year-old daughters who were properly restrained in their car seats, according to Gwinnett Police. The girls did not receive any injuries even though their mother's car and 2 of the other vehicles were total losses due to the crash.
The mother attended the Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County car seat class/distribution program at the Hall County Health Department last year and received 2 convertible car seats and was taught how to properly install the seats and safely transport her children. Safe Kids has been hosting this monthly program at the health department for 16 years.
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Emory Center for Injury Control and Research
During the week of August 15, as a result of a partnership between Emory Center for Injury Control and Safe Kids Georgia, many Coalition Coordinators participated in a 3.5 day skill-based training program designed solely for injury prevention practitioners. The focus was on unintentional injury topics, particularly motor vehicle collisions and poisoning. This program incorporated multiple learning styles including activities such as case studies, small group exercises, PowerPoint slides, and written materials. Expert trainers guided the learning activities and provided background lectures for new concepts and methods.
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