Safe Kids Indiana was launched on May 1, 1997 as a statewide initiative by the Automotive Safety Program at Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children through funding provided by the Indiana Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving Office of Traffic Safety.
Safe Kids Indiana is part of Safe Kids Worldwide in Washington D.C., whose international mission is to raise awareness that preventable injuries are the leading public health threat to children today. To accomplish this mission, Safe Kids Worldwide works with a network of more than 600 Coalitions in the United States and partners with organizations in 23 countries around the world. These coalitions and organizations work together to carry out child injury prevention education through various forums.
Safe Kids Indiana has 13 local Safe Kids Coalitions across the state.
Safe Kids Indiana serves as a statewide voice for individuals and organizations working together through public education, policy, programs and partnerships to prevent unintentional injuries to children from birth to age fourteen. These injuries include:
- Motor Vehicle Crashes
- Pedestrian injuries
- Fires, Burns and Scalds
- Bike crashes
- Drownings
- Sports Injuries
- Poisonings and chokings
- Falls
Organizations, agencies, businesses, and individuals work together on the Coalition through a committee structure to accomplish these goals. Committees include Membership, Publicity/Media, Public Policy, Program/Education, Financial Development, Long-Range Planning, and Data Collection.
If you or someone you know would like more information on becoming a part of this important community based organization or for information about Safe Kids in your community please contact Safe Kids Indiana at 317-274-2977 or 888-832-3219. You may also write to us at Safe Kids Indiana, Automotive Safety Program, 1002 Wishard Blvd., Pediatric Care Center, Room 0001, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Find an Indiana Safe Kids Coalition near you
Organizing your own Safe Kids coalition
Safe Kids Worldwide, a program of Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C., was founded in 1987 to prevent the number one killer of the nation’s children ages 14 and under-unintentional injuries. The success of Safe Kids Worldwide to reduce unintentional injuries and deaths is due to the over 600 local and state Safe Kids Coalitions across the country. Community Safe Kids Coalitions are grassroots efforts affiliated with Safe Kids Indiana and Safe Kids Worldwide.
A community Safe Kids Coalition brings together those organizations and individuals interested in preventing childhood unintentional injuries and deaths. Coming together as a Coalition allows these groups and individuals to reach a larger portion of the population in less time and effort.
By forming a local Safe Kids Coalition in your community, you will tap into the Safe Kids Worldwide resources and create a valuable educational tool for your citizens.
Forming a Safe Kids Coalition is an easy task for any community. To begin follow these easy steps:
- Seek out organizations or individuals that are interested in childhood injury prevention. These agencies could be local fire, police, hospitals, health professionals and educators, just to name a few.
- Call the Safe Kids Indiana State Coordinator, Becky Tamosaitis, at 317-274-2977 or 888-832-3219 to set up an informational meeting date. Invite interested individuals to this meeting.
Safe Kids Indiana Members
There are several representatives from various community, governmental, and social service agencies throughout the state of Indiana that support the mission and vision of Safe Kids Indiana. Individuals from these organizations may have an interest and/or commitment to the safety and injury prevention of children. They are as follows:
- AAA Hoosier Motor Club
- Automotive Safety Program – IU School of Medicine
- Court and Child Advocacy Group
- Department of Education
- FedEx
- Fountain Consulting Services
- Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving
- Indiana Dept. of Transportation
- Indiana Emergency Nurses Association
- Indiana Poison Center
- Injury Free Coalition of Indianapolis
- IUPUI School of Social Work
- Lutheran Hospital
- Marion County Prosecutor’s Office
- Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership
- Safe Sitter
- Safety Education and Outreach – IU School of Medicine
- St. Mary’s Medical Center (Evansville)
- State Farm Insurance
- Think First Program