At least 80 child safety seats will be distributed to Contra Costa County residents in need as part of a state grant that will also fund child seat safety check-ups/inspections, child safety seat education classes, and the promotion of discarding and recycling used and expired safety seats.
The $84,000 “Child Passenger Safety” grant will benefit children who are receiving comprehensive home visits from public health nurses in Contra Costa County, called the Public Health Nursing Home Visiting Program.
The program serves vulnerable families with at-risk young children, making approximately 1,400 home visits each year with children (0-8 years) living throughout the county.
The County aims to use the Child Passenger Safety grant to help prevent injuries and deaths to those children.
The grant funds were provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“Public health nurses in Contra Costa County serve vulnerable, low-income families who are impacted daily by health inequities,” said Michelle Rivero, a program manager for CCHS. “Our families struggle with meeting the basic needs of the children. Rent, food, clothing all become priorities over car seats, and many of our families use old, expired car seats. This program is a much-needed resource to help keep children safe.”
