The Parkland Car Seat Program, a vital part of the Parkland Healthy Start initiative, aims to provide education and resources to families regarding proper car seat usage. This program helps ensure the safety of infants and children during travel by offering car seat education and distribution services to eligible families. This comprehensive approach contributes to Parkland Health’s broader mission of reducing infant mortality and promoting child well-being.
Who Qualifies for the Parkland Car Seat Program?
Expecting parents and those with children aged 0-18 months can benefit from the comprehensive services provided by Parkland Healthy Start, which includes the car seat program. To determine eligibility and learn more, interested individuals can complete an online interest form. A Parkland staff member will then reach out to discuss program specifics and enrollment.
Parkland Healthy Start: More Than Just Car Seats
While the car seat program is a key component, Parkland Healthy Start offers a wide range of invaluable services to support families:
- Car Seat Education and Distribution: Experts teach parents how to choose, install, and use car seats correctly.
- Case Management Home Visits: Personalized support and guidance in the comfort of your home.
- Medicaid Assistance: Help navigating the Medicaid application process.
- Prenatal Education: Preparing for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.
- Depression Screening and Referrals: Addressing mental health concerns during and after pregnancy.
- Substance Abuse Prevention, Screening, and Referrals: Resources for substance abuse prevention and treatment.
- Food and Housing Assistance: Connecting families with essential resources.
- Breastfeeding Information: Support and education for successful breastfeeding.
- Well Baby Care: Ensuring infants receive necessary medical checkups.
- Nutrition Counseling: Guidance on healthy eating habits for mothers and babies.
- Family Planning Referrals: Access to family planning services and resources.
- Teen Pregnancy Prevention: Programs and resources to support teen parents.
- Transportation Assistance: Help with getting to appointments and accessing services.
- Dental Care Referrals: Ensuring access to dental care for mothers and children.
- Father and Male Involvement: Encouraging active participation in parenting.
- Parenting Education: Providing valuable parenting skills and knowledge.
Addressing Infant Loss and Health Disparities
Parkland Health is committed to addressing infant mortality and health disparities through various initiatives:
- Dallas County Fetal Infant Mortality Review: Providing support and resources for families who have experienced the loss of a baby.
- Infant Mortality Awareness Summits: Annual events featuring expert discussions on crucial topics such as reducing infant mortality, addressing health disparities, and improving maternal and child health outcomes. Key topics covered include engaging fathers, maternal mental health, and the impact of colorism on care. Past summits have also addressed topics such as vaccinations during pregnancy and improving neonatal outcomes.
Collaboration for Community Impact
Parkland Healthy Start collaborates with community partners to effectively address the diverse needs of mothers and their children. This collaborative approach strengthens the program’s impact and ensures comprehensive support for families.
This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. government.
