Grand Rapids, Michigan – Families with children 5 and under now have access to free, safe car seats and portable cribs thanks to County Early Childhood Education.
Ready by Five Millage officials said last week that families with children under the age of five and whose federal poverty rate is less than 200% have three ways to get free car seats and sleep options for their children. Announced.
The program also provides education on safe sleep and nursing seat safety.
“Proper safe sleep and car seat education are very important. “Through this important initiative, we hope to make a difference in the lives of as many families as possible.”
Sleep-related infant deaths are the leading cause of infant mortality in Michigan, according to the state. Also, car accidents are a leading cause of death among young children. A properly restrained child is more than 50% more likely to survive a crash than she is.
Family Futures, along with Bethany Christian Services and Cherry Health, are three organizations selected to receive millage funds for educating parents and providing cribs and car seats.
To be eligible for the program, families must have children under the age of 5 and be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200% of the federal poverty guidelines are $36,620 for two-person households, $46,060 for three-person households, $55,500 for four-person households, and $64,940 for five-person households.
Below are descriptions of each of the three programs and how to get help.
Bethany Christian Services provides one-on-one parental safety education to culturally and linguistically diverse families across the county with a focus on safe sleep and car seat safety.
Bethany can provide portable cribs and carts to qualified caregivers who receive personalized consultation and education and can demonstrate proper child restraint installation and safe infant sleep practices.
For questions about Bethany's Child Safety Initiative program, call 616-240-7996.
Cherry Health's Child Safety Passenger Program includes 30-minute appointments during which team members provide individualized instruction to families on how to properly use car seats and watches, and caregivers can use a car seat, convertible, or booster seat. properly installed.
The best way to contact us about this program is by emailing [email protected]. Cherry Health also offers additional resources for pregnant women and new mothers and their children, including Strong Beginnings and Maternal and Child Health programs.
Family Futures educates parents about safe sleeping environments and car safety, while increasing availability for families who can't afford safe sleeping options and car seats. For more information on the program see this link.
The six-year early childhood millage, dubbed the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage, was approved by voters on November 6, 2018 and will provide approximately $5.7 million annually to fund community-based early childhood programs for children as young as five years old. is producing. and young.
Parents can visit firststepskent.org/forparents to learn more about the resources and services offered with millage funds.
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