Tift County Awarded Car Seat Mini-Grant

Buckle Up Right, Every Trip, Every Time

The Georgia Department of Public Health's (DPH), Injury Prevention Program is pleased to announce Tift County has been named a 2015 recipient of the Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant.  The Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant program helps county health department and their community partners reduce the number of injuries and deaths among children in Georgia.  This year's $161,000 award will be used to support the purchase of car seats to be distributed in 137 counties.  Funding for these efforts is provided by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

Since 2007, at least 283 children in Georgia who were involved in crashes were saved from serious injury or death by car seats, booster seats and education provided through the Mini-Grant.

"Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children and it's up to all of us to do everything we can to protect our children on the road," said Traci Mullis, Tift County Nurse Manager.  "Buckling up our children is the best way to save lives and reduce injuries."

Throughout Georgia, DPH and county health departments work with community partners to educate parents and caregivers on how to properly install and use car seats, offer car seat inspection and provide car seats and booster seats to financially eligible families.  Through the Car Seat Mini-Grant, agencies supporting more than 135 counties are working to keep Georgia's children safe.  These programs help families get their children buckled up right, every trip, every time.

DPH takes great pride in providing opportunities to enhance community outreach programs in Georgia.  Through our collective efforts with the Tift County Sheriff's Office, we can make considerable strides in achieving our goals.  For more information on the car seat mini-grant call the Tift County Health Department at 386-8373.