Bulloch and Other Local Health Departments Secure Mini-Grants for Essential Car Seat Safety Initiatives

Health departments in the Southeast Health District of Georgia are on a mission to keep kids safe in cars. They’ve received a 2025 Car Seat Mini-Grant from the Georgia Department of Public Health. This grant allows them to supply car seats and safety education to families who need it in nine counties: Appling, Atkinson, Brantley, Bulloch, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis, and Ware.

Funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, this program aims to protect Georgia’s children while they travel. Since 2007, the resources provided through this initiative have helped prevent serious injuries and saved over 460 children involved in car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, proper use of car seats can cut down fatal injuries by 71% for infants and 54% for children aged 1 to 4 in passenger vehicles. Yet, nearly 75% of car seats are misused, which can put children at risk.

Cindi Hart, the District Nursing Director, emphasizes the importance of this program, saying, “It’s our responsibility to keep our children safe.” With this grant, local health departments are teaching parents how to correctly install and use car seats. They also conduct car seat inspections and provide car and booster seats to families who qualify financially. These efforts make sure that every child is buckled up properly for every trip.

For families in Appling, Atkinson, Brantley, Bulloch, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis, and Ware counties, these resources are invaluable. More than 135 counties in Georgia benefit from similar programs, working to ensure safety for all children on the road.

To learn more about the car seat program in your county, you can call 1(855)473-4374. For inquiries about other locations involved in the initiative, you can reach out to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Child Occupant Safety Project by emailing [email protected].

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Southeast Health District