A SIDE STREET SENSATION IN PLANT CITY
According to the Centers for Disease Control, vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children between ages one and twelve in the U.S., and the best way to protect them is to ensure they are buckled up in the right seat, every ride, every time.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, one in three children under age 13 who die in a car crash were unrestrained, and it is estimated that more than half of car seats are misused.
To address this tragedy, on May 15, the Children’s Board Family Resource Center held a car seat safety program at its location at 301 N Palmer St. in Plant City.
The free class and a free car seat were offered to parents who are expecting or already have babies or toddlers. The aim of the class is to teach parents how to properly choose the right car seat and install it. At the end of the class the parents install their free seat under supervision and take it home.
State Farm Insurance and Safe Kids Worldwide are sponsoring the car seat program nationally. State Farm is paying for the free car seats. The two and a half to three hour training in both Spanish and English is given by staff from Baycare Kids.
The car seat program is a typical sort of offering by the Center. These classes are held on a monthly basis. Also there are monthly free dental services, and once per month a mobile medical clinic turns the location into a doctor’s office for uninsured or low-income families. In addition, on various days during a month, hearing, vision, and developmental evaluations are also provided for anyone whether they use Medicaid or private insurance.
On various days of the month, the Center holds classes for children and adults such as baby sitter training, financial literacy, Spanish, English, math tutoring, and water safety. The facility holds several areas for children including a pop-up play room provided by Glazer Children’s Museum and a children’s library.
One upcoming event to note is a Safe at Home program through Baycare Kids. This 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. class on May 30 will teach children nine to eleven years old basic first aid and how to call 911 among other things.
This Family Center partners with several community organizations to hold quality programs. The Centers are managed by Lutheran Services Florida, and funded by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. The Center is open to children of all ages, and adults who live in Hillsborough County.
The Center hours are:
Mondays and Saturdays – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information can be found at www.familysupportthc.org.
