RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE TO APPLY FOR AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR THE CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY PROGRAM
WHEREAS, motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of injury and death among children and families in the United States and a significant contributor to injury-related mortality and hospitalization in Sullivan County; and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022 there were over 2.6 million emergency department visits and more than 44,000 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, and between 2020-2022, Sullivan County had the highest three-year average motor vehicle-related mortality rate in the Mid-Hudson Region at 14.9 per 100,000 population; and improper or inconsistent use of child safety seats and seat belts, along with other preventable risk factors such as speeding and impaired driving, contribute to increased risk of injury and death; and evidence-based interventions, including child passenger safety education, proper car seat distribution, and installation support, are proven to significantly reduce injury and fatality among infants and children; and
WHEREAS, each year, the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee offers grant funding to mitigate motor vehicle injury and death; and
WHEREAS, the Sullivan County Department of Public Health routinely applies for and receives funds that are used to implement a Child Passenger Safety program that provides child safety seats and education for parents of children; and
WHEREAS, to qualify for the Child Passenger Safety program families must have income at or below 200% of the Federal poverty level; and
WHEREAS, the Sullivan County Department of Health intends to apply for a $15,000 award that requires no matching funds to continue implementing this program for the period of 10/1/2026 through 9/30/2027; and
WHEREAS, the 2027 GTSC Child Passenger Safety Seat Program i...
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