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Manitowoc County Safe Communities Coalition/
SAFE KIDS Chapter
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The incidence of deaths related to unintentional injury in Manitowoc
County is significantly higher than the comparable incidence rate for the
state of Wisconsin. The Manitowoc County Safe Communities Coalition was
formed in March of 2001 to address the issue of preventable injury. The
initial focus of the coalition was on child pasenger safety. With a
continued focus on prevention of unitentional injury, the coalition
expanded its programming priorities to include falls prevention, reduction of
alcohol-related crashes, and pedestrian advocacy and safety. The "Safe
Place for Newborns" project was added to the coalition's activities in 2002.
In November 2003, the coalition was granted SAFE KIDS Chapter status,
allowing the group access to resources available from the global SAFE KIDS
organization that promotes injury prevention programming for children ages
14 and under.
Current Programs.
l Child Passenger Safety and Occupant Protection
l Falls Prevention
l Pedestrian Safety and Advocacy
l Safe Place for Newborns
l Fire Safety Education
l Life Jacket Loan Program
l Bicycle Safety Education
l Reduction of Alcohol-Related Crashes
(through Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention)
l A periodic electronic newsletter
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Mission.
To prevent injury and reduce the incidence of deaths due to injury
in Manitowoc County.
Accomplishments.
l Received a federal grant to provide funding to secure more Car Seat Technicians. Three technicians from
each Aurora Medical Center and Holy Family Memorial have been contracted.
l Continue to host a car seat check on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Manitowoc Fire
Department.
l Since 2001, grant funding and supplies for coalition activities has been secured through various sources,
including the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Ford Motor Company, Habush, Habush, and Rottier,
Holy Family Memorial, Manitowoc Crime Prevention Committee, Service League of Manitowoc County, U.S.
Boat Foundation, General Motors, Chevrolet, US Cellular, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Healthier Wisconsin
Partnership Program, and numerous local businesses.
Goals for 2007.
l Continue to reduce the incidence of deaths due to injury in Manitowoc County from 72 per 100,000 to 65
per 100,000 by 2010.
l Work with newly trained Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians to do more car seat checks and car
seat check events.
l Continue the established programs and develop new injury prevention programs as indicated by community
needs.
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