Motor vehicle accidents are a significant threat to children’s safety, but proper car seat usage can dramatically reduce the risk of injury and fatality. In Georgia, dedicated initiatives are in place to help families access this essential safety equipment. One such program, spearheaded by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), provides crucial support to ensure children areBuckled Up Right, Every Trip, Every Time. This commitment is realized through the Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant program, aimed at distributing car seats to families across 113 counties in Georgia.
This vital program is funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) and administered by the DPH Injury Prevention Program. It directly addresses the financial barriers that can prevent families from securing appropriate car seats for their children. By providing mini-grants to county health departments and their community partners, the program facilitates the purchase and distribution of car seats to those who need them most. This initiative is not explicitly a “Wic Free Car Seat Program Georgia” in name, but it serves a similar demographic and need, ensuring access to free car seats for eligible families within Georgia, including those who may be WIC recipients or facing financial constraints.
Since 2007, the Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant program has been instrumental in enhancing child safety on Georgia roads. Beyond just providing car seats, the program emphasizes education. Parents and caregivers receive crucial instruction on the proper installation and usage of car seats and booster seats. Car seat inspection services are also offered, ensuring that seats are correctly fitted and used. This comprehensive approach, combining equipment provision with education, has proven highly effective. It is estimated that the program has saved the lives of over 437 children involved in vehicle crashes and prevented countless serious injuries.
Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, emphasizes the critical importance of this program, stating, “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 in vehicles. Buckling up our children is the best way to save lives and prevent injuries.” Her statement underscores the urgency and impact of the Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant program in Georgia.
The reach of the program is extensive, covering 113 counties across Georgia. These counties are served by local health departments and community partners who work directly with families. This local approach ensures that support is accessible within communities, making it easier for families to participate and benefit. The counties benefiting from the 2023 Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant include: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Banks, Barrow, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Calhoun, Camden, Carroll, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Clinch, Cobb, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Dawson, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Douglas, Early, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Fayette, Gilmer, Glynn, Grady, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Houston, Irwin, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Madison, Marion, McIntosh, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Rockdale, Schley, Seminole, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Troup, Turner, Union, Upson, Ware, Washington, Webster, Wheeler, White, and Whitfield, Worth.
For families in Georgia seeking assistance with car seats, the Child Occupant Safety Project offers a valuable resource. To learn more about accessing car seats or to find car seat inspection stations, individuals can contact the DPH office directly via email at [email protected] or by phone at 404-463-1487. This program is a testament to Georgia’s commitment to protecting its youngest residents and ensuring every child travels safely. While not explicitly branded as “wic free car seat program georgia”, it effectively functions as a vital resource for free and low-cost car seats in Georgia, serving a similar population and addressing a critical need within the state.
