Ensuring the safety of your infant is paramount, and in Virginia, numerous resources are available to help parents and caregivers. From free car seat programs to comprehensive infant safety classes, the Blue Ridge Health District and its partners offer invaluable support. If you are looking for a Free Car Program Virginia Phone Number, you’ve come to the right place. This guide outlines various programs designed to protect your little ones, along with essential contact information to get you started.
Virginia’s Free Child Safety Car Seat Program: Protect Your Child on the Road
Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death for children. Proper car seat installation and usage are crucial for child passenger safety. Recognizing this, Virginia offers a free car seat program for eligible families. This program not only provides car seats but also ensures parents are educated on how to use them correctly.
What the Program Offers:
This initiative provides free car seats to families who meet specific eligibility criteria. To receive a car seat, applicants are required to attend a brief but informative class. This class covers the essential aspects of car seat safety, including proper placement, harnessing techniques, and installation guidelines. By attending this class, parents and caregivers gain the knowledge and confidence to secure their children safely in vehicles.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the free car seat program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be eligible for Medicaid, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security), or meet specific income qualifications.
- Be a resident of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, or Nelson counties in Virginia.
- Be legal residents of Virginia.
- Pregnant women in their last three months of pregnancy are encouraged to apply.
- Parents, legal guardians, and foster parents are all eligible to apply for the program.
To apply, you’ll need to complete an application form and submit it to your local health department. You can find the application forms here:
- Application in English
- Application in Spanish
Upcoming Free Car & Booster Seat Events – February 2025 Schedule:
Mark your calendars! Free car seat and booster seat events are scheduled throughout February 2025 across various health departments. Registration is mandatory, so be sure to call the Community Health Worker (CHW) for your nearest location to reserve your seat.
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Nelson County Health Department: Monday, February 10, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Nelson County Event Flyer (English/Spanish)
- Call CHW Ana Zuniga at 804-895-4927 to reserve a seat.
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Yancey Community Health Center: Tuesday, February 11, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Yancey Community Center Event Flyer (English/Spanish)
- Call CHW Elvia Albarran at 434-872-3683 to reserve a seat.
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Greene County Health Department: Thursday, February 13, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Greene County Event Flyer (English/Spanish)
- Call CHW Brandon Bunyea at 434-981-7289 to reserve a seat.
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Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department: Wednesday, February 19, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Charlottesville Event Flyer (English/Spanish)
- Call CHW Rico Hearns at 804-972-1146 to reserve a seat.
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Louisa County Health Department: Monday, February 24, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Louisa County Event Flyer (English/Spanish)
- Call CHW Linda Glover-King at 804-489-7918 to reserve a seat.
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Fluvanna County Health Department: Thursday, February 27, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Fluvanna County Event Flyer (English/Spanish)
- Call CHW Linda Glover-King at 804-489-7918 to reserve a seat.
General Inquiries: For general questions about the Child Safety Car Seat Program, or if you need further assistance, please call MCH Coordinator Diane Sampson at 434-972-6241.
Alt text: A smiling baby secured in a properly installed car seat, highlighting the importance of child passenger safety programs.
Additional Resources for Car Seat Safety:
- Virginia Department of Health – Child Passenger Safety: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/ – Learn more about Virginia laws and access other valuable resources.
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Car Seat Safety Videos:
- English: Car Seat and Child Passenger Safety Videos | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Spanish: https://www.chop.edu/video/car-seat-and-child-passenger-safety-videos-spanish – Short videos demonstrating car seat installation tips for rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats.
- Safe Kid’s Ultimate Car Seat Guide: https://ucsg.safekids.org/ – An interactive guide in English and Spanish to help you choose and install the right car seat based on your child’s age, weight, and date of birth.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats – Detailed information on car seat safety, recalls, and age-related guidelines.
- Safe Kids Worldwide – Car Seat Safety Tips: https://www.safekids.org/car-seat – Practical tips and advice for ensuring your child’s safety in car seats.
Free Infant Safety Classes: Knowledge is Power
Beyond car seat safety, comprehensive infant safety involves various aspects of home and care. The Infant Safety Classes offered in Charlottesville/Albemarle provide essential knowledge and skills for new and expecting parents, grandparents, and anyone caring for newborns.
Class Details:
These free, in-person classes cover a range of critical safety topics. Pre-registration is required to secure your spot. The classes include:
- Safe Medication Storage: Learn how to properly store medications to prevent accidental ingestion by children.
- Choking Hazard Prevention: Identify common choking hazards in your home and learn preventative measures.
- Room-by-Room Home Baby Proofing: Get practical tips on baby-proofing your home, room by room, to create a safe environment.
- American Heart Association (AHA) Friends & Family CPR (non-certification): Gain basic CPR skills for infants and children in a non-certification format.
- Local and National Resources: Discover valuable resources available in your community and nationwide to support infant safety and well-being.
Who Should Attend?
These classes are open to anyone in the Blue Ridge Health District who will be caring for a newborn, including:
- New and expecting parents
- Grandparents
- Family members
- Other caregivers
Upcoming Class:
- Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Prindle Conference Room, Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department, 1138 Rose Hill Dr., Charlottesville, VA (Enter through Door #3)
Registration: Fill out this form to pre-register and save your spot.
Contact: For any questions regarding the Infant Safety Classes, please contact Maternal and Child Health Program Coordinator Diane Sampson at [email protected].
Blue Ridge Safe Sleep Crib Program: Ensuring a Safe Sleep Environment
Safe sleep practices are vital in preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID). The Blue Ridge Safe Sleep Crib Program aims to educate parents and caregivers on safe sleep guidelines and provides cribs to eligible families.
Program Overview:
This program is a community initiative focused on promoting safe sleep environments for infants. A limited number of cribs are available through agency referral to households that meet income guidelines.
- Cribettes: These are designed for babies under 6 months old and weighing 30 pounds or less. They include a bassinet attachment suitable for babies under 15 pounds.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for the Safe Sleep Crib Program, you must:
- Be a parent, legal guardian, or foster parent of a child under 6 months of age.
- Reside in Charlottesville/Albemarle, Louisa, Greene, Nelson, or Fluvanna counties.
- Meet financial eligibility criteria or participate in Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, SSI, or TANF.
- Apply through a referring agency or your local health department.
- Be willing to participate in a review of safe sleep guidelines and a crib safety education session.
Registration and Contact:
Registration is required to receive a crib. To reserve a crib, call the Community Health Worker (CHW) at your nearest health department (phone numbers listed in the car seat program section above).
For general inquiries about the Safe Sleep Program, contact MCH Coordinator Diane Sampson at 434-972-6241.
Alt text: A baby sleeping safely on their back in a crib, emphasizing safe sleep practices and the crib program.
Safe Sleep Resources:
- The Safe Sleep Academy from Cribs for Kids: https://www.safesleepacademy.org/ – Short videos on various sleep-related topics, including baby safety and developmental stages.
- Safe to Sleep Campaign (NICHD): https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/ – Information for parents and providers on SIDS/SUID, with free educational materials in multiple languages.
- Safe Sleep Virginia (VDH): https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/safe-sleep/ – Virginia-specific safe sleep resources and guidelines.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): http://www.cpsc.gov/ – Information on recalls of cribs, baby seats, and other infant care items.
Infant Feeding Resources: Support for Your Feeding Journey
Providing proper nutrition is essential for infant health and development. The Virginia Department of Health offers a downloadable resource sheet with information on local lactation clinics, support groups, and trusted resources to assist families with infant feeding.
Downloadable Resource Sheet:
- Infant Feeding Resources in English
- Recursos de alimentación infantil en español
This handout includes contact information for local programs and links to reputable professional websites such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Virginia Loves Breastfeeding, and La Leche League International.
Improving Pregnancy Outcome (IPO) Workgroup: Community Collaboration for Healthy Pregnancies
The Improving Pregnancy Outcome (IPO) Workgroup is a community coalition dedicated to reducing infant mortality and morbidity and addressing associated racial disparities in the Charlottesville area.
Community Projects:
Past collaborative projects include:
- Baby Basics Community Education (through a March of Dimes Grant)
- Creation of a Perinatal Resource Guide
- Postpartum Depression and Anxiety training sessions for perinatal professionals
Alt text: A diverse group of people holding and interacting with babies, representing community support for healthy pregnancies and infant outcomes.
Get Involved:
Meetings are held quarterly via Zoom. For more information or to join the IPO Workgroup, contact Diane Sampson or call 434-972-6241.
Related Links:
- VDH Maternal and Child Health Services: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vdhlivewell/maternal-and-child-health-services-title-v-block-grant/
- Listening to the Living Project: https://www.listeningtotheliving.org/ – Focuses on developing local action plans to address racial disparities in maternal health and birth outcomes.
Conclusion:
Virginia is committed to providing resources and support to ensure infant safety and healthy development. Take advantage of these free programs and utilize the provided phone numbers to access car seats, safety classes, safe sleep resources, and infant feeding support. By working together, we can create a safer environment for all infants in Virginia. For any general inquiries or to find out more about free car programs in Virginia, remember to call 434-972-6241.
Last Updated: January 28, 2025
