AMERICUS — The Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH), Injury Prevention Program announced that Sumter County has been named a 2015 recipient of the Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant. This program helps county health departments and their community partners reduce the number of injuries and deaths among children in Georgia. This year’s $161,000 award will be used to support the purchase of car seats to be distributed in 137 Georgia counties. Funding for these efforts is provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

Since 2007, at least 283 children in Georgia who were involved in crashes were saved from serious injury or death by car seats, booster seats, and education provided through the Mini-Grant.

Throughout Georgia, DPH and county health departments work with community partners to educate parents and caregivers on how to properly install and use car seats, offer car seat inspections and provide car seats and booster seats to financially eligible families. Through the Car Seat Mini-Grant, agencies supporting more than 135 counties are working to keep Georgia’s children safe. These programs help families get their children buckled up right, every trip, every time.

DPH takes great pride in providing opportunities to enhance community outreach programs in Georgia. Through our collective efforts, we can make considerable strides in achieving our goals. For more information on the child Occupant Safety Project, e-mail injury.prevention@dph.ga.gov or call the office at 404-679-0500.

For more information call Sumter County Family Connection Coordinator Tommie R. Thompson (-229-928-0399

Eligibility for class participation is based on referrals provided from the Sumter County Health Department call 229-924-3637 to sign up.