July 25, 2012

GOV. MALLOY: STATE AWARDS 2012 'KEEP KIDS SAFE' GRANT

Connecticut Children's Medical Center will Utilize 'Pediatric E-Network' to Support Child Injury Prevention

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the state Office of Policy and Management awarded the Connecticut Children's Medical Center a $45,150 grant as part of the Connecticut Keep Kids Safe Grant Program (CKKSGP). The grant will help the Center develop and disseminate injury prevention information for children and their parents via the Pediatric E-Network, a computer tablet-based system built for providing precisely this kind of safety information.

The Network will have the potential to reach 92,000 Connecticut children and their families over a 12-month period. The Center's proposal was chosen through a competitive bid process.

"This safety information that will be distributed to children and their parents through this grant is invaluable, and can often be life-saving," said Benjamin Barnes, Secretary of OPM. "We're glad to be partnering with the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and with pediatricians across the state to support child injury prevention, and to support Connecticut parents in raising healthy kids."

The grant will help the Center develop and disseminate three comprehensive safety educational modules for parents via the Pediatric E-Network for viewing and distribution during annual visits to their children's pediatrician. The three distinct modules will address child occupant protection (aimed at infant to 2-year-old visits), choking prevention (1 to 4-year visits), and bike and pedestrian safety (5 to 13-year visits). In addition, collateral materials will be distributed at nearly 400 pediatric care centers across the state, including safety info handouts such as magnets, bookmarks, reflectors, and more.

Established in 1990, the Connecticut Children's Medical Center is dedicated to improving the physical and emotional health of children through family-centered care, research, education and advocacy.

The purpose of the CKKSGP is to provide grants to agencies, institutions or persons to conduct research, provide public education, establish outreach programs and enhance public awareness of safety issues with regard to children. The CKKSGP is funded through fees charged for the purchase of the "Keep Kids Safe" license plates. The Request for Applications was issued earlier this year in accordance with Sections 14-21f and 14-21g of the Connecticut General Statutes.

###

For Immediate Release: July 25, 2012

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy