Montana Safe Kids Safe Communities
The main cause of accidental injury and death in Montana is motor vehicle crashes. Since 2000, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, The Montana Coalition, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have partnered to support a network of 15 community-based coalitions that focus on reducing injuries and fatalities caused by traffic crashes. Local coalitions build partnerships to promote usage of occupant restraint systems in vehicles (Buckle Up America and Click It or Ticket) and to prevent impaired driving (You Drink. You Drive. You Lose. And Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving). The coalitions are based on the Safe Communities model, endorsed by the World Health Organization and used by coalitions around the world.
In July 2002, National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies recognized the state coalition with their Award for Program Model of Excellence for innovative strategies that promote the health and safety of children and families.
The coalitions provide a variety of services in their communities, including responsible alcohol sales and service training, promotion of designed drivers, campaigns to increase seatbelt usage, and checks for proper installation and fit of child safety seats in vehicles. Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, The Montana Coalition, is presently contracting with 16 Safe Kids Safe Communities Coalitions to promote traffic safety in 24 of Montana’s 56 counties, serving approximately 80% of Montana’s population, including Montana’s seven American Indian Reservations.
The local coalitions are community-based, grassroots organizations with a diverse membership, including community organizations, area businesses, and local government. The coalitions share their activities between occupant protection and impaired driving by engaging in multi-media, public education and training efforts at the local level. Coalitions provide outreach to law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire, medical and others to increase support for occupant protection program efforts. Coalitions emphasize the family approach to occupant protection by conducting clinics and workshops to educate participants about the importance of occupant protection. They conduct safety seat clinics and provide fitting stations for parents, among other activities. Coalitions work with their local media to get messages out on a regular basis.
Coalitions engage in similar activities to stimulate the public’s interest in the dangers of impaired driving. Coalitions collaboratewith local DUI Task Forces and law enforcement to maximize resources toward these efforts. Coalitions also participate in targeted mobilizations to contribute to added public awareness of occupant protection and impaired driving, typically around high-risk holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and New Year’s weekend. Incentives are provided to the public to increase awareness of occupant protection and impaired driving as well. The local coalitions also participate in responsible alcohol server training. Coalitions often partner with local law enforcement by inviting officers to assist with this training.
To honor local citizens who wore their seat belts during a vehicle crash and to bring positive attention to the issue of occupant protection, each coalition organizes a Saved By the Belt Award Ceremony to heighten public awareness at the local level. The media is involved along with local dignitaries and law enforcement.
Join the effort by getting involved in your community! To find out more, contact a coalition near you, or Montana’s SKSC state coordinator, Patty Carrell at 406.449.8611.
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Bitterroot SKSC (Ravalli County Health Nursing.) 406.375.6678 istirling@ravallicounty.mt.gov |
Butte Silver Bow SKSC (Butte Silver Bow Health Dept.) 406.497.5087 ahaffey@bsb.mt.gov |
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Cascade County SKSC (Cascade City- Cnty. Health Dpt.) 406.454.6950 ckeaster@co.cascade.mt.us mburns@co.cascade.mt.us |
Dawson County SKSC (Glendive Dept. of Police.) 406.939.9259 sbailey@mt.gov |
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Custer County SKSC (Custer County Sheriff's Office) 406.874.3320 swanee45@hotmail.com |
Gallatin County SKSC (Child Care Connections, Inc) 406.587-7786 stacy@childcareconnections.info |
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Flathead Valley SKSC (Kalispell Regional Medical Cntr.) 406.751.4502 wolson@krmc.org |
Lincoln County SKSC (Families in Partnership) 406.293.5437 sksc@live.com |
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Hill County SKSC (HELP Committee.) 406.265.6206 mattb@bgchi-line.com |
Northeast Montana SKSC (Richland County Health Dpt.) 406.433.2207 ckapor@richland.org |
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Missoula County SKSC (Missoula City-County Health Dpt.) 406.258.3880 hutchisonl@ho.missoula.mt.us |
SKSC of Pondera, Toole & Teton Counties (Pondera County Health Dept.), 406.271.3247 pchdsksc@3rivers.net |
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SKSC of Lake County & Flathead Reservation (Lake County Health Dpt.) 406.883.7319 sksc@lakemt.gov |
Yellowstone County SKSC (Yellowstone Co. Sheriff's Office) 406.256.2724 yellsksc@yahoo.com Yellowstone County SKSC Web |
| Tri-County SKSC (Helena School District #1) 406-324.1072 tnielson@helena.k12.mt.us |