Injury Prevention Program
The A/TCHHSD Injury Prevention Program is dedicated to improving community health and well-being by building momentum for effective injury prevention. Injury prevention means taking action to prevent injuries before they occur. The Program's work is characterized by a strong commitment to community participation and promotion of equitable health outcomes among all social and economic groups. The Program’s focus is on the most common types of injuries – those that are unintentional (accidental). Our mission is to reduce the frequency and severity of injuries by providing direct intervention and by assisting community partners with incorporating injury prevention strategies into their regular on-going efforts.
Contact: Doug Ballew, (512)972-5120
The Problem
Injuries are the leading cause of death among Texans age 1 – 44 with deaths from motor vehicle crashes causing the most deaths. Most injuries are preventable and by identifying the causes of injuries often it is possible to develop strategies to prevent them.
Collecting and analyzing data on injuries enables us to identify risk factors for the most common causes of injury so we can focus our resources for prevention activities where they may do the most good. Disseminating prevention activities to communities is essential and analyzing data on injuries may allow us to determine the effectiveness of these prevention activities.
Child Passenger Safety
- Monthly child safety seat check event at Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department Neighborhood Centers.
- The event is normally held on the third Friday of the month. Contact the Neighborhood Centers to schedule an appointment. Certified technicians will teach parents to use their child's car seat correctly.
- Community Car Seat Check Events
- Click here for a calendar of car seat events in and around Austin/Travis County HHSD
CPS law in Texas
Booster seats are considered to be child safety seat systems, as long as the seat is appropriate for that child -- he or she should fit within the weight range stated on the seat. The law became effective Sept. 1, 2005.
Bicycle Safety
- Resources are available to conduct bicycle safety classes and bicycle skills courses. Click here for instructions on how to conduct your own bike skills course for children.
- Conduct/facilitate train-the-trainer on bicycle safety curriculum including Texas Supercyclist, a comprehensive bicycle skills training for children in grades 4 – 8.
- Facilitation of bicycle helmet distribution through the Austin Cycling Association. See http://www.austincycling.org/ for more information.
- Assistance with League of American Bicyclists Road 1 training. See http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/index.php for more information.
- Texas Bicycle Laws as stated in the Texas Transportation Code: http://www.biketexas.org/content/view/51/65/
- Austin Bicycle Map can be found at: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/bicycle/bikemap.htm
Safe Routes to School
The Injury Prevention Program was recently awarded a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant. SRTS programs enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school. The programs make walking and biking to school safer and more appealing. SRTS projects and activities increase physical activity as well as improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of participating primary and middle schools (grades K-8). The Austin SRTS Project, which began in 2008 conducts education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluative initiatives in SRTS select schools. The project selected schools that already either have a significant population of walkers, or are geographically situated in an area that has potential for increasing the numbers of children who walk or bike to school.
- There are 2 clusters of 4 schools. The schools in east Austin are Andrews, Harris, Blanton Elementary Schools and Pearce Middle School.
- Another cluster in East Austin near downtown are Metz, Sanchez, and Zavala Elementary Schools and Martin Jr. High.
- The two additional schools are McBee Elementary and Wooten Elementary.
There are many activities associated with our SRTS Project and welcome community involvement. Give us a call if you would like to participate. For more information see www.saferoutesaustin.org
Community Partners, Coalitions and Workgroups
Travis County Child Fatality Review Team
http://www.centerforchildprotection.org/media/publications/cfrtr/
Austin Safe Kids Coalition
http://www.dellchildrens.net/services_and_programs/safety_and_injury_prevention/safe_kids_austin
Central Texas Water Safety Coalition
http://www.nobodyswaterproof.com/
Travis County Underage Drinking Prevention Task Force
http://www.co.travis.tx.us/county_attorney/Underage_Drinking_Pgm/default.asp
Capitol Metro Grassroots Rail Outreach Working Group
http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail-safety.shtm
