This program provide to low income families in Chicago, the appropriate car seat for their child in order to prevent the death of children in car accidents. Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the number one cause of death and injury to children in the United States. Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) clearly demonstrate that the use of child safety restraints reduce the risk of death and injury to children.
Statistics show that 4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly. This is a clear indication that car seats continue to be used incorrectly. Car seats are less likely to be used by families in low-income minority communities where, in some cases, individuals do not understand or are not educated on the importance of securing their children in car seats. This can be due to a lack of education on the proper use of car seats, as well as, the lack of culturally and linguistically competent educational
Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) clearly demonstrate that the use of child safety restraints reduce the risk of death and injury to children. The $5,000 donated will help the program continue to provide low income families with the appropriate car seat for their child. We will be able to purchase approximately 60 car seats for distribution in these communities.
As the population in Chicago continues to increase, so does the driving population. The need for continued education among this constituency becomes greater as it grows. With an increased number of indiviuals migrating into Chicago, many from other countries, the need for culturally competent education is has increased. These individuals arrive without an awareness of Illinois laws, and many times have never used a car seat for their chidlren and even the seat belt.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).