The program’s success is based on its comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach—one that draws on pre-existing community relationships. The program’s goal is to increase the use of motor-vehicle restraints and to instill a culture of health and safety.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center will provide program training, support, and oversight throughout the grant year.

Minimum Expectations: Ideal grant partners will provide multiple educational sessions, and will distribute free car seats to families in need, to serve as many families as possible—surpassing the program's minimum output expectations as outlined for each available funding level.

Curriculum:

Buckle Up for Life provides all the materials, including handouts and audiovisual aids necessary for an injury prevention professional to deliver age appropriate one-hour presentations to the following audiences:

• Adults – this presentation focuses on crash dynamics, seat belts, distracted driving, and child-passenger safety.
• Teens – this presentation focuses on crash dynamics, seat belts, and sound decision-making.
• Children – this presentation focuses on three main topics: the importance of restraints, where to sit in a car, and proper passenger behavior.

Education Requirements:

• Each agency must provide child passenger safety education with each car seat distributed.
• Partners must use approved Buckle Up for Life curricula, as provided.
• Education must be provided by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST).
• Education can be provided via virtual presentations when social distancing guidelines are in place.
• Tableside interactions (e.g., handing out flyers) with families at community events such as health fairs cannot be counted towards education requirements.
  

­Car Seat Checks and Distribution Requirements:

• Car seats must be installed with the assistance of a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST).
• Car seats may be distributed at the agency’s discretion—although the focus should be on at-risk populations. Each agency may assess and determine local need.
• Car seats provided by Buckle Up for Life must be given away to selected families for FREE. Seats may not be sold.  Donations for seats provided by Buckle Up for Life may not be accepted.