April 19, 2012

Please note: This one-day event is coordinated through the Virginia Department of Health and is for Virginia residents residing in Planning District 16. Individuals not residing in Virginia are encouraged to contact their own Department of Health (or similar state agency) to locate an appropriate program within their state. Thank you.

Fredericksburg, Virginia – Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area is once again partnering with GEICO and the Virginia Department of Health’s Low-income Safety Seat Distribution and Education program to sponsor the fifth annual “Safety First Regional Car Seat Campaign” on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event will take place at GEICO’s office located at One GEICO Blvd., Fredericksburg.

Families with children receiving Medicaid will be eligible to receive a free convertible or booster car seat as well as training on proper car seat use and installation assistance. To receive a free car seat, parents must register in advance and bring their child’s Medicaid card with them to the event.

Michele Powell, Program Manager for Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area, shares “As parents, we worry a lot about our children and want to keep them safe. Selecting the correct type of car seat and making sure it is properly installed is just one more way parents can better protect their children. I am pleased to provide this needed resource to families that may not otherwise afford this necessary safety equipment.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 119,000 children under age 12 are injured in car crashes. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for children in America. Approximately 75% of car seats are improperly installed or children are improperly restrained. Child safety seats reduce fatal injuries by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.

Car seats will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Advance registration is required by calling Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area at 540-288-1937. This is a one-day event and attendance at the training is required to receive a free car seat.

Founded in 1997, Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area provides intensive home-based services, designed to assist parents in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for their child. Their family support staff work with parents on importance of bonding, child development, and positive discipline. Their goal is to reduce child maltreatment and increase school readiness by building healthier families, healthier children and a healthier community. The program assisted 642 families in Fiscal Year 2011 (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011).

The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board serves as the fiscal agent. Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area is a partner agency of the Rappahannock United Way.

If you’d like additional information on Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area or to learn more about the Safety First Regional Car Seat Campaign, please contact Michele Powell, program manager, at 540-288-1937 or michelepowell@racsb.state.va.us.

Founded in 1970, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) provides public mental health, intellectual disability, substance abuse, and prevention/early intervention services to the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. RACSB operates six outpatient clinics which provide individual, group and family therapy; specialized counseling and case management services; psychological assessment; 24-hour crisis intervention; and medication management services. RACSB operates ten group homes for adults with intellectual disability providing 24-hour intensive and structured support. RACSB also offers mental health day support, residential services, and crisis stabilization The Sunshine Lady House for Mental Health Wellness & Recovery. The Parent-Education – Infant Development Program provides developmental, physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as service coordination to infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Programs of RACSB include Kenmore Club, Rappahannock Adult Activities, Inc., Project LINK, Program for Teen Parents, Rappahannock Area Kids on the Block, DARE To Be You – Rappahannock Area, Second Step, Too Good for Drugs, and Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area. To learn more, visit www.racsb.state.va.us.

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