Navigating the WIC Car Seat Program in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Ensuring your child’s safety while traveling is paramount, and a properly installed car seat is non-negotiable. However, the cost of car seats can be a significant burden for many families. Fortunately, numerous resources are available to help parents obtain free or low-cost car seats. For Texas families, the Wic Car Seat Program Texas stands out as a crucial support system. This guide will explore how to access free car seats, with a particular focus on the WIC car seat program Texas, and other valuable resources available both in Texas and across the United States.

Understanding the WIC Car Seat Program in Texas

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, and infants and children up to age 5. Recognizing the critical importance of child passenger safety, WIC car seat program Texas is a vital component of this support, helping eligible families secure essential car seats.

How does the WIC car seat program in Texas work?

In Texas, the WIC car seat program operates under the broader umbrella of the Texas Health and Human Services and their Safe Riders initiative. This initiative partners with local organizations throughout Texas to provide car seat education and distribution, ensuring that families not only receive a car seat but also understand how to use it correctly.

Eligibility for WIC Car Seat Program Texas:

To be eligible for the WIC car seat program Texas, families generally need to meet WIC eligibility requirements, which are primarily based on income. Specific requirements may vary slightly depending on the local distribution site, but typically include:

• WIC Enrollment: Being currently enrolled in the Texas WIC program or meeting WIC income guidelines is often a primary eligibility factor.
• Financial Need: Families must demonstrate a financial need for assistance obtaining a car seat. This is often self-certified.
• Texas Residency: Applicants must be residents of Texas.
• Vehicle Ownership: Families must own or regularly use a vehicle and have working safety belts in their car, as car seats need to be properly installed using these belts.
• Attend a Safety Education Session: Participation in a car seat safety education class is a mandatory step. This ensures parents and caregivers are well-informed about proper car seat installation and usage.

How to Access WIC Car Seats in Texas:

1. Contact your Local WIC Clinic: The first step is to contact your local WIC clinic in Texas. You can find your nearest clinic through the Texas WIC website or by searching online for “Texas WIC clinic locator.”
2. Inquire about the Car Seat Program: Ask your WIC clinic if they participate in the WIC car seat program Texas or if they can direct you to a local Safe Riders distribution station.
3. Verify Eligibility: The clinic or distribution station will explain the specific eligibility criteria and application process. Be prepared to provide proof of WIC enrollment or income verification.
4. Attend a Car Seat Safety Class: You will need to attend a scheduled car seat safety education session. These sessions are typically around one hour and cover essential topics like choosing the right car seat, proper installation techniques, and securing your child correctly.
5. Receive Your Car Seat: Upon completion of the safety class and verification of eligibility, you will receive a free or low-cost car seat. The type of car seat provided will depend on your child’s age, weight, and height, and program availability.

Key Benefits of the WIC Car Seat Program Texas:

• Financial Relief: The most significant benefit is the provision of a free or significantly reduced-cost car seat, alleviating financial strain on low-income families.
• Safety Education: Mandatory safety classes ensure that parents and caregivers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to use car seats correctly, maximizing child passenger safety.
• Proper Installation Guidance: Many distribution sites offer assistance with car seat installation, or can direct you to certified technicians who can ensure your car seat is installed correctly.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing your child is traveling safely in a properly fitted and installed car seat provides invaluable peace of mind for parents.

Other Texas Resources for Free Car Seats

Beyond the WIC car seat program Texas, several other organizations in Texas offer car seat assistance to families in need:

• Texas Health and Human Services Safe Riders Initiative (Statewide): As mentioned, the Safe Riders initiative is the overarching program for car seat distribution in Texas. They partner with various local entities. Contacting the Safe Riders program directly through the Texas Department of State Health Services website can provide a broader overview of resources in your area.
• Denton County Public Health (Denton County): Participates in the Safe Riders initiative and offers monthly car seat classes. Eligible families who attend a class receive a free car seat after self-certifying financial need and attending a one-hour safety session.
• St. John’s Community Center (Travis County): Provides a free car seat program to low-income families in Travis County. Completion of a car seat safety course is required to receive a car seat.
• Living Alternatives of Jacksonville (Jacksonville): An approved distribution site for the State of Texas Safe-Riders Program, offering free car seats to pregnant or parenting low-income mothers in the Jacksonville area.
• UMC Foundation El Paso (El Paso): The UMC Foundation’s Car Seat Safety Program assists families in El Paso who cannot afford car seats, ensuring child passenger safety in the region.
• Families to Freedom (Dallas): This Dallas-based organization includes car seats in their support for families transitioning to safer lives, ensuring children are transported safely.

It’s advisable to directly contact these local Texas organizations to confirm their current program details, eligibility requirements, and operating procedures, as these can be subject to change.

General Programs for Free Car Seats Across the U.S.

While the WIC car seat program Texas and other Texas-specific programs are invaluable for residents of the state, understanding the broader landscape of free car seat resources across the U.S. can be beneficial. Many types of organizations nationwide offer car seat assistance, often with programs that may overlap or complement state-specific initiatives like WIC car seat program Texas.

State or Local Health Departments

State and local health departments are government agencies focused on public health. They frequently offer car seat programs as part of injury prevention initiatives. The WIC car seat program Texas, for instance, is administered under the Texas Department of State Health Services.

• Reach: Typically serve residents within their jurisdiction (state, county, or city).
• Eligibility: Often prioritize low-income families or those with specific needs. Some programs may be open to all residents.
• Requirements: Many programs require attending a car seat safety course before receiving a car seat.

To find your local health department, search online for “[Your State/County/City] health department” or visit your state’s official government website.

Non-Profit Organizations

Numerous non-profit organizations are dedicated to child safety and offer car seat programs as part of their community outreach.

• Examples: Safe Kids Worldwide, United Way, Baby2Baby, and Buckle Up for Life. Buckle Up for Life, for example, has donated tens of thousands of car seats to low-income families.
• Reach: Some operate nationally, while others are local.
• Eligibility: Usually serve those demonstrating specific needs or within certain income brackets.
• Funding: Rely on donations and grants, so car seat availability can vary. Websites like Charity Navigator can help verify the legitimacy of non-profits.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program providing health coverage to low-income individuals and families.

• Reach: Available nationwide, with eligibility determined at the state level.
• Eligibility: Medicaid recipients, including pregnant women and children, may be eligible for free car seats.
• Requirements: Similar to other programs, may require attending a safety course. Check your state’s Medicaid website or the Health Insurance Marketplace for application information.

Insurance Companies

Some insurance companies offer car seats as a benefit to policyholders, especially for new or expectant mothers.

• Reach: Limited to policyholders.
• Eligibility: Varies depending on the insurance policy and provider.
• Availability: May be part of specific insurance benefits. Contact your insurance agent or review your policy details.

State Car Seat Inspection Stations

These are designated locations, often at fire departments or sheriff’s offices, where certified technicians inspect car seat installations for safety.

• Reach: Generally open to the public.
• Services: Primarily offer inspections and installation help. Some may offer free car seats to families in need, often in collaboration with charities.
• Finding Stations: Use the NHTSA’s Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator or search your local city/county resources. Call ahead to inquire about car seat availability.

Local Churches and Pregnancy Life Centers

Local churches and pregnancy life centers often have community outreach programs that may include providing baby supplies, including car seats.

• Reach: Local community members. Pregnancy centers specifically target pregnant women and new mothers.
• Availability: Varies widely depending on the institution and community resources.
• Requirements: Pregnancy centers may require participation in parenting or childbirth classes to access resources like free car seats.

Hospitals and Health Care Systems

Hospitals and health care systems may offer car seat programs, particularly for patients within their network.

• Reach: Primarily for patients or expectant mothers associated with the hospital system.
• Availability: Not all hospitals offer this service. Contact hospitals directly to inquire. They may provide car seats or referrals to local resources.

Free Car Seats by State

The following is a state-by-state guide to organizations that may offer free or low-cost car seats. For Texas residents, remember to prioritize the WIC car seat program Texas and other Texas-specific resources listed earlier. This comprehensive list includes various programs across the US, and while some may have limited availability or specific eligibility criteria, they represent valuable resources to explore in your search for car seat assistance.

ALABAMA Free Car Seats

Alabama Department of Public Health (Statewide): May offer car seat assistance to expectant mothers or parents who are receiving federal benefits like WIC, AllKids, Food Stamps, or Medicaid. The Injury Prevention Branch in Montgomery hosts monthly car seat clinics, which are occasionally booked two months in advance and are by appointment only. The car seat program is active in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Huntsville. More details can be found on their website.

Alabama Farmers Federation (Statewide): Members can avail of low-cost car seats for children and can acquire certain car seats and booster seats by picking up an order form at their nearby Alfa office. Available seats prices, which include shipping and handling, are: $40 for Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Seat, $40 for Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster, $30 for Cosco Pronto Belt-Positioning Booster. Check out their website for more information.

Children’s of Alabama, (Birmingham): Children’s of Alabama provides a free car seat program for patients who don’t have a car seat at the time of their discharge. Before receiving the seat, families must watch a short educational video about its correct usage. Learn more about the Children’s of Alabama car seat safety program

Baby’s Bounty (Montgomery): Baby’s Bounty serves the Montgomery area, providing essential items for newborns, including car seats, for families in need. Find out more about Baby’s Bounty

ALASKA Free Car Seats

Safe Alaskans (Anchorage): Provides car seats for families in need, with a suggested $10 donation for booster seats and $35 for car seats. Check out their website for more information.

Community Pregnancy Center (Anchorage): Offers Life Lessons classes, where participants can earn Baby Bucks to spend in the Mini Depot on car seats or other essential items. More details are available on their website.

Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults (Wasilla): Offers car seats for all families at a reduced cost based on a sliding scale. You can find more information on their website.

Alaska Injury Prevention Center (Anchorage): Has a limited number of car seats and booster seats available for a small donation. Visit their website for more details.

Alaska Child Passenger Safety Coalition (Statewide): Lists several events on their calendar where Free Car Seats and booster seats are available. Check their event calendar for more information.

Fairbanks Safe Rider Program (Fairbanks): May have car seats or booster seats available for families, contact them to find out more on their website.

Juneau Police (Juneau): Offers inspections by appointment and will provide a replacement seat for a minimum fee if necessary. Find out more on their website.

Alaska DOT (Statewide): Maintains a page with potential resources you can contact for free car seat information. Check out their website for more details.

ARIZONA Free Car Seats

Children Are Priceless Passengers (Statewide): Operates in nine locations across the state. A $35 fee is required for a safety class. Those lacking a safe and effective car seat can receive a new one for free. For more information, visit their website.

Phoenix Children’s Hospital (Phoenix): Offers car seat distribution. Detailed information can be found on their road safety programs page.

Yavapai Regional Medical Center (Prescott): Provides free or discounted car seats in conjunction with a safety class. For more information, call (928) 771-5651 or visit their website.

Deer Valley Unified School District Child Car Seat Safety Program (Phoenix): Offers limited Free Car Seats alongside an education class. Visit their website for more details.

Tuscon Medical Center Car Seat Loaner Program (Tucson): Allows you to pay $40 and get a car seat for one month. They also have car seat giveaway events sponsored by Safe Kids Pima County. Register on their website or call for more information.

HealthLinks Car Seat Program (Phoenix): Offers a free car seat to those who meet the qualifications and take a two-hour class. Further details can be found here.

ARKANSAS Free Car Seats

Farm Bureau Federation (Statewide): Membership entitles you to advantages like the Infant Car Seat Program when you have auto, home, life, farm, or other insurance with Farm Bureau Insurance of Arkansas. A car safety seat costs as little as $15 when you participate in this program. The price of this order includes shipping and handling. Visit their website for more details.

Rogers Police Department Car Seat Loan Program (Rogers): The Rogers Police Department runs a car seat loan program for families experiencing financial hardship. They can loan one car seat per family. Car seats are distributed every Wednesday from 9 am to 3 pm. The department also offers a car seat installation service. Find out more about Rogers Police Department’s car seat program

CALIFORNIA Free Car Seats

Related Reading: Free Car Seats in California (by county, bigger list)

California Office of Traffic Safety (Statewide): This organization has a county-based directory that provides resource information for car seat education and distribution. You can visit their website for more information.

Police Departments & California Highway Patrol Offices (Statewide): Most locations offer a free exchange for an expired car seat. More information can be found here.

OC Health (Orange County): This resource provides a list of area organizations that offer car seat education and free/low-cost car seats. Detailed information can be found here.

First 5 LA (Los Angeles County): The New Economics for Women’s Child Passenger Safety Program offers a free car seat if you complete their safety class and qualify. Visit their website for more information.

Clinic in the Park’s Boosters in a Bag (Orange County): After completing an online course, you can receive a booster seat for free. More details can be found here.

Pacific Safety Center (San Diego County): This organization offers Free Car Seats to low/median income families, as well as Native American and military families. More information is available on their website.

Solano County Public Health (Solano County): Vibe Solano offers car seat safety classes and low-income families can receive vouchers toward the purchase of a low-cost car seat. Visit their website for more details.

Safe Kids Sacramento (Sacramento County): Low-income families may qualify for a low or no-cost car seat upon completion of an online class. More information is available on their website.

River to Coast Children’s Centers (Sonoma County): This organization offers a low-cost car seat program and safety education for low-income families. Visit their website for more information.

City of Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz County): The city provides Free Car Seats for low-income families, but an appointment is needed. More details can be found here.

CHOC Child Safety Seat Distribution Program (Orange County): For CHOC patients, a seat is available for $30 after completion of a safety class. More information is available on their website.

Camarena Health (Madera County): This organization offers classes on car seat safety, and if you can prove and show what you learned, you get a free car seat. More information can be found here.

Family Health Centers of San Diego (San Diego County): Patients enrolled in the Prenatal program may be eligible for a free car seat. Visit their website for more details.

Venice Family Clinic (Los Angeles County): The clinic offers monthly car seat safety classes including Free Car Seats for low-income families in several locations. Visit their website for more information.

St. Mary’s Medical Center (Los Angeles County): The Welcome Baby program has referrals to free or low-cost baby essentials, including car seats. Visit their website for more information.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Los Angeles County): This hospital offers car seat safety classes twice monthly and a free car seat for families receiving public assistance. More information can be found here.

St Francis Medical Center (Los Angeles County): The center offers a free car seat to eligible families upon completion of a class. More information can be found here.

East Valley Community Health Center (Los Angeles County): This organization offers a free virtual car seat safety class with a free car seat for families that qualify and complete the class. More details can be found here.

Whittier Hospital (Los Angeles County): The hospital provides a complimentary rear-facing car seat and diaper bag for moms delivering at the hospital. More details can be found here.

Butte County Public Health (Butte County): The county provides a free car seat class with low-cost car seats for qualifying low-income families. Visit their website for more information.

San Diego County Public Health (San Diego County): The Keep Em Safe program provides Free Car Seats for low-income, active military, or refugee women who are at least 8 months pregnant and families with children up to the age of 9. More information can be found here.

Shasta County Health and Human Services (Shasta County): This organization offers a free car seat for pregnant moms that attend 3 classes and meet other qualifications. More information can be found here.

Plumas County Public Health Agency (Plumas County): The agency offers a free car seat to eligible families upon education and installation by a certified car seat technician. More information can be found here.

Colusa County Family Action Centers (Colusa County): The center has classes for $20 and families may qualify for a free car seat. More information can be found here.

Merced County Public Health (Merced County): The county charges $25 for a car seat class,

COLORADO Free Car Seats

Safe Kids Larimer County (Larimer County): Safe Kids Larimer County provides a car seat resource program. Though not explicitly free, they do request a $30 donation for each car seat distributed. More information can be found on their website. Further details about the county can be found here.

Morgan County Public Health (Morgan County): Morgan County offers car seat vouchers worth $50 for low-income families. These can be redeemed at the local Walmart. If the car seat costs more than $50, the family will need to pay the balance. Further information about Morgan County can be found here. Contact them directly for more details on the car seat voucher program.

Custer County Program (Custer County): For Custer County, you can contact Terra Raye who may provide car seat resources. You can reach her at 719-783-9451 or via cell at 719-371-3046. Alternatively, you can email her at [email protected]. The selection criteria are not well-defined, but it’s suspected that she prioritizes county residents who qualify. More information about Custer County is available here.

Montezuma County Car Seat Program: Located in Montezuma County, this program is committed to child safety in vehicles. Certified car seat technicians are on-hand to ensure that children are correctly fitted to age- and weight-appropriate car seats. Parents are also taught how to use and install the car seats properly. Last year, this program supplied over 200 car seats to families at a reduced cost. Learn more about Montezuma County’s Car Seat Program

CONNECTICUT Free Car Seats

St. Gianna Pregnancy Resource Center: This center provides a range of maternity and baby items to those in need. For more information, please visit their website.

Hope Pregnancy Center: Hope Pregnancy Center offers the “Earn While You Learn” program, providing educational and material assistance to expecting parents. This continues after the baby is born, offering vital support for growing families. More information can be found on their website.

Southington Police Department: For those in need of a child passenger seat, Southington Police Department offers consideration for this essential item. Please contact their community relations division by sending an email to [email protected] with a brief narrative explaining your child passenger seat request. You can visit the Southington Police Department’s Facebook page using this link.

Carolyn’s Place Pregnancy Care Center: This center offers “Earn While You Learn Classes” for first-time parents. These consist of childbirth and parenting classes, and upon completion of the course, clients may be eligible to receive items needed for baby’s care, which may include a crib, car seat, clothing, diapers, etc. Visit their website for more details.

DELAWARE Free Car Seats

Delaware Opportunities Inc. (Statewide): Income-qualified families living in Delaware are eligible for a free car seat and instruction on appropriate installation through Delaware Opportunities Inc.’s car seat safety program. More information can be found on their website.

Delaware Division of Public Health (Statewide): The Delaware Division of Public Health collaborates with local organizations to set up car seat inspection stations around the state. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians perform the inspections and provide Free Car Seats. Dates for these events are posted on the calendar.

FLORIDA Free Car Seats

Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office (Statewide): This office sponsors the purchase and distribution of car seats to trained/qualified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) instructors and technicians. More information can be found here.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (St. Petersburg): This hospital offers low-cost car seats for families in need. More information can be found here.

Florida Farm Bureau (Statewide, Members Only): Florida Farm Bureau provides up to three (3) car seats for $25 and booster seats for $15 via forms on their website under Member Benefits. More details can be found here.

Tampa Police Department (Tampa): The Tampa Police Department employs Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) who can provide and/or install child safety seats for residents in need. Check their website for more information.

Safety Council of Palm Beach County, Inc. (Palm Beach County): Their Childsaver Car Seat Program provides child safety seats at a reduced cost to those in need in Palm Beach County. More details can be found here.

Florida Health Pinellas (Pinellas County): Offers workshops on proper safety seat usage. Additionally, those who meet certain financial requirements can obtain low-cost safety seats. Check their website for more details.

Mothers Helping Mothers (Sarasota, Manatee, and surrounding counties): This non-profit organization provides basic necessities such as clothing and baby items (including cribs, car seats, strollers, formula, breast pumps, and more) to families in need. More information can be found on their website.

St. Johns County Tax Collector – Project Buckle Up: This Florida-based program provides Free Car Seats to families in need. It also offers education on the correct installation and usage of car seats. Project Buckle Up

Wolfson Children’s Hospital Car Safety Program: This Jacksonville, Florida-based program offers a low-cost car seat workshop. Participants can receive a car seat at a reduced cost while also gaining knowledge on car seat safety and correct installation. Low-cost Car Seat Workshop

GEORGIA Free Car Seats

Child Occupant Safety Project (Statewide): Offers child safety seats and information on correct installation and use through the Mini Grant Program. This program collaborates with local community partners to deliver best practice education and services. More information can be found here.

South Health District Car Seat Program (Valdosta, Lowndes County): Provides a child safety seat to low-income families in need. More details can be found on their website.

District 4 Public Health (Troup County and eight other counties): Offers complimentary booster seats and safety training to financially eligible families through a Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant. More details can be found here.

Safe Kids Cherokee County (Cherokee County): Provides up to ten car seats and education to financially qualified Cherokee County families through the mini-grant. More information can be found here.

Safe Kids North Fulton (North Fulton County): Offers qualifying families a child seat education as well as a free child seat through the Safe Kids North Fulton Child Passenger Safety Mini Grant. More details can be found here.

Northeast Georgia Health System (Northeast Georgia): Offers Car Seat Safety Class with Car Seat Distribution. In exchange for attending the lesson, you will receive a discounted car seat. Check their website for more information.

Women’s Enrichment Center of Dalton (Calhoun, Gordon County): Will be giving a Car Seat Education Class. Each child will receive a free car seat. More details can be found [here](https://www.wecnorthga.org/gordoncounty-carseats).

Bartow County Fire & Emergency Services (Bartow County): Provides car seat checks and installations and assists low-income Bartow County families in obtaining car seats. More information can be found here.

Safe Kids Program at Children’s Hospital of Georgia: Safe Kids, hosted by the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, provides a range of services to promote child safety, including a program for car seat safety. Contact the hospital for more information on potential assistance with car seats. Safe Kids Program

Safe Kids Cobb County: This coalition hosted by Cobb & Douglas Public Health, works on injury prevention among children, including car seat safety. Please contact them directly for more information about potential car seat assistance. Safe Kids Cobb County

HAWAII Free Car Seats

Statewide:Hawaii State offers a tax credit of $25 per year for the purchase of a booster or child safety seat. More information about this can be found here.

Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children (Oahu): In previous years, Farmers Insurance Hawaii has partnered with the Child Passenger Safety Program at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children to offer Free Car Seats and education to families in financial need. The continuation of this program into 2023 is not explicitly stated on their website, but you can contact the Car Seat Check office to schedule a free car seat check and inquire about the availability of Free Car Seats. More information can be found on their website and here.

Aloha Pregnancy Center (Oahu): The center’s Baby & Me Boutique is stocked with big-ticket baby items, including car seats and high chairs, and is open to families in need. You can find more details on their website.

Keiki Closet (Oahu): This organization partners with LIV, a pregnancy and women’s center, to help provide baby essentials to moms in need. You can call them and request a car seat specifically and they can either provide one or direct you to other resources. More information can be found on their website.

Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui (Maui): This center provides material assistance to clients. While it’s not explicitly stated that they have Free Car Seats, this could be a great resource for finding a free car seat on the island of Maui. You can find more details on their website.

IDAHO Free Car Seats

St. Luke’s Children’s and Kohl’s – Right Seat 4 Kids 4 Care (Statewide): Offers Free Car Seats to families in need. Contact St. Luke’s Children’s Car Seat Program at (208) 381-3033. More information can be found here.

Kootenai Health (Kootenai County): Provides car seat education, installation, and limited free seats available for those who qualify on a donation basis. More details can be found here.

Safe Kids USA (Statewide): You can contact the following districts for free or discounted car seats:

• DISTRICT 1: Kootenai Health, (208) 666-2030
• DISTRICT 2: Moscow Police Department, (208) 883-7054 (ask for Kirstin); Success by 6 of the Palouse, (208) 882-7387; St Joseph Regional Medical Center-Family Beginnings, (208) 799-5430 (ask for Linda Rosetti)
• DISTRICT 4: Safe Kids Treasure Valley, (208) 381-3033; Meridian Fire Department, (208) 884-0597
• DISTRICT 5: Safe Kids of Magic Valley, (208) 814-7640 (Also has low-cost car seats and booster seats)
• DISTRICT 6: Southeast District Health, (208) 478-6315
• DISTRICT 7: Madison Memorial Hospital, (208) 359-6710

Medical Home Portal – Idaho Car Seat Safety: The portal provides a directory of Idaho resources for car seat safety, including various organizations that offer car seat inspection, assistance, and education. Check the link below for detailed contact information for each organization. Medical Home Portal – Idaho Car Seat Safety

ILLINOIS Free Car Seats

DuPage County Health Department’s Child Car Seat Program (DuPage County): In collaboration with the Carelink Foundation, provides Free Car Seats to low-income families. Parents must complete safety training provided in both English and Spanish. More details can be found here.

Buckle Up Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Program (Chicago, Cook County): Provides car seat information, installation assistance, and reduced-cost car seats to at-risk families through monthly car seat seminars, car seat inspection stations, and a network of over 15 community partners. More information can be found here.

CountyCare (Cook County): Provides Free Car Seats to expectant parents. More details can be found here.

Fair Hope (Vermilion County): Supplies car seats to families that DO NOT OWN A VEHICLE. The car seats are designed for children weighing 5 to 40 pounds. More details can be found here.

Safe Kids Coalition (Statewide): Hosts safe car seat events to provide instruction on safe use and inspect car seat installation. Many also provide free or low-cost car seats and other safety products. More information can be found here.

OSF Children’s Hospital (Peoria, Peoria County): Offers a low-cost car seat program that provides families in need with low-cost car seats. More information can be found here.

Auxiliary Stroger Hospital: Through their community outreach programs, the Auxiliary Stroger Hospital offers assistance to families in need. Their efforts include providing necessary items like car seats to those in need. You can find more information about their services on their website. Auxiliary Stroger Hospital Community Programs

Grant A Wish Inc. Chicago: This organization runs a Baby Program which aims to provide a range of essentials to parents who are unable to afford them. Car seats are among the items provided. Visit their website for more information and eligibility criteria. Grant A Wish Inc. Baby Program

INDIANA Free Car Seats

Community Health Network (Marion County): This Indianapolis-based organization provides Free Car Seats to parents who need them. More details can be found here.

Gear-Up for Safety Program (Statewide): Families receive the essential safety equipment they need to make their homes child-safe, including car seats. More details can be found here.

Project L.O.V.E. (Statewide): A program for law enforcement that educates families on the correct use and installation of child safety seats. Only parents or caregivers who are Indiana citizens and meet low income financial qualifying requirements are eligible to receive free child safety seats. More information can be found here.

Franciscan Health Car Seat Safety Clinics (Tippecanoe County): Installed more than 100 Free Car Seats for families in need. Reservations are necessary and eligibility restrictions must be met in order to receive a free car seat. More details can be found here.

Indiana University School of Medicine (Marion County): In partnership with a San Francisco-based auto insurance firm, Go Insurance, they have a project that provides Free Car Seats as a part of its recently introduced nationwide kid passenger safety initiative. More details can be found here.

Spencer County Car Seat Program: This Indiana-based program offers car seat inspections and provides car seats for families who meet the income eligibility criteria. Visit their website for more information and how to participate. Spencer County Car Seat Program

IOWA Free Car Seats

Unitypoint Health – Des Moines, Statewide: Offers Child Passenger Safety Technicians that may assist in instructing caregivers on how to properly utilize car seats. Families in need may be able to receive Free Car Seats through this program, but it does not give out baby carriers. Convertible, combination, and booster seats are provided under this program. A newborn weighing as little as 5 pounds can fit in the convertible seat. More information can be found on their website.

Johnson County Empowerment/ECIA, Johnson County: Periodic Car Seat Events are held to check that car seats are securely fastened and to give away free seats to kids in need who don’t have them or whose seats are damaged or have expired. The generous donations from HOPE for Johnson County and the Johnson County Empowerment/ECIA board monies enable the provision of free seats. More information can be found on their website.

Jones County Public Health, Jones County: Car seats and booster seats are available for families who might require one to transport their children safely. A single family may use this program. More information can be found on their website.

Stork’s Nest in Polk County, Iowa: An incentive-based program providing necessary baby items like diapers, strollers, cribs, and car seats to new and expecting mothers with low income. Participants earn points through healthy behaviors and can also avail parenting and prenatal classes. For more details, call (515) 558-9950 or visit here.

University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Safety Store: Provides car seats and other safety products to families at a discount. The store is designed to teach caregivers about injury prevention, and each purchase includes education on the proper use of the product. Visit their website for more information.

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa: Provides Free Car Seats to families in need as a part of their “Kids on the Go!” program. More details can be found in their document.

KANSAS Free Car Seats

Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Statewide: Will distribute program seats to eligible families that can show visual proof any of the following (we do not need copies):

• eWIC card
• KanCare Health Plans
• Vision Card
• Kansas Farm Worker Health ProgramThis program will provide a car seat to pregnant women 30 days before their due date, anything sooner is at the technician’s discretion. It will also provide another car seat to the same child if the child has outgrown the initial car seat issued, and the family can provide proof they are still eligible, or if the family has been in a car crash and can provide a police report. More information can be found on their website.

Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and North Kansas City Fire Department, North Kansas City: MARC has received a federal grant to provide car seats to low income families and has partnered with the North Kansas City Fire Department. This program has income restrictions and to find out if you qualify for a car seat through the MARC and the Head Start program. More information can be found on their website.

Swope Health (Kansas City): Celebrates moms and healthy babies with their event that includes a free car seat giveaway. More information can be found on their website.

Baby Talk ICT (Wichita): Offers various classes, including car seat safety. Families in need may qualify for a free car seat. Find more information on their website.

Injury Free Coalition for Kids (Kansas City): This organization provides a program for car seat safety, potentially offering car seats for families in need. For more details, visit their website.

KENTUCKY Free Car Seats

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Statewide: They provide child safety seat and booster seat inspections, and sometimes even Free Car Seats, to families in need. They aim to ensure all children have access to safe, reliable child safety seats. You can learn more about their program and how to participate by visiting their official website.

Hardin County Health Department, Hardin County: This health department has a car seat program where they provide a car seat to families in need. They require you to watch an educational video and have the seat installed by a certified technician at their facility. Explore their website for more details.

Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, Louisville: Offers child safety seat checkups where Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians teach parents and caregivers how to install their car seats correctly. They also provide Free Car Seats to individuals who are in need and meet certain criteria. Discover more on their website.

Jessamine County Health Department, Jessamine County: The Health Department’s HANDS program provides education, resources, and even Free Car Seats to parents in need. Parents must participate in the HANDS program and complete a car seat safety class. You can gather more details by visiting the Jessamine County Health Department’s website.

Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, Lexington-Fayette County: They provide car seats to eligible families and also conduct car seat inspections. They want to ensure that every child travels safely. If you want to learn more about their initiative, you can do so on their website.

LOUISIANA Free Car Seats

Councilman Free Car Seat Program, Baton Rouge: A local councilman provides Free Car Seats to qualifying parents who receive WIC and/or SNAP assistance. Interested parents must preregister for the giveaway. Check out more details at the official news page.

University Medical Center New Orleans, Statewide: Families in need throughout Louisiana can sign up for Free Car Seats at this hospital’s injury prevention program. You can sign up for a free car seat on their website.

MAINE Free Car Seats

Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, Statewide: This bureau offers Free Car Seats to qualifying families in Maine. Parents or guardians should contact them directly to see if their child qualifies. More details available here.

KVCAP Child & Family Services Department, Statewide: This department operates two distribution stations for the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety’s car seat program, which provides car seats to low-income families. Find out more about their service from the official website.

Maine Families Washington County, Washington County: They provide free convertible and booster car seats for income-eligible families through a program sponsored by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. Certain conditions apply. More about their services can be found here.

Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation, Kennebec County: This corporation collaborates with the Bureau of Highway Safety to provide car seat education and distribution. Eligible families can schedule an appointment with their certified car seat technician to receive a car seat. You can access more information from their official website.

MARYLAND Free Car Seats

Safe Kids Frederick County, Frederick County: Safe Kids Frederick County, a program of the Frederick County Health Department, offers Free Car Seats to residents. They aim to prevent unintentional injuries to children under the age of 19 in Frederick County. Additional details can be found on their official webpage.

Maryland Department of Health’s Kids In Safety Seats, Statewide: This program offers car and booster seats at a low cost to families who cannot afford to buy them. They also have short-term special needs loaner programs for children with certain medical issues. Seat availability varies by location. Learn more about their initiative on this webpage.

Holy Cross Health (Silver Spring, MD): Offers a Car Seat Rental Program for newborns and children. To learn more, visit their website.

MASSACHUSETTS Free Car Seats

Massachusetts Car Seat Distribution Program, Statewide: This initiative provides car seats to qualifying entities for distribution to needy families. They aim to prevent child passenger injuries and fatalities. More information about their program is available on their official website.

Boston Children’s Primary Care, Boston: This health care provider offers car seats and booster seats to low-income families that come for care. You can find out more on their website.

Injury Free Coalition for Kids, Worcester: They host child passenger safety car seat check-up events twice a month. Families are taught how to properly install and utilize booster seats and car seats. Families in need are given access to car seats and booster seats. Get more details from their official webpage.

UMass Amherst Police Department, Amherst: The Police Department was awarded a grant to help parents who need car seats. CPS trained installers can check to see if it has any recalls and is installed correctly. If you or someone you know requires a seat, contact Officer Brian Kellogg. You can find out more here.

Boston Public Health Commission’s Childhood Injury Prevention Program, Boston: This program provides a valuable resource for Boston’s low-income families who require a child safety seat. Recipients should meet MassHealth eligibility requirements or be below the poverty line in Massachusetts. More about their program can be found on this webpage.

Boston Medical Center (Boston): They offer a car seat program for patients. For more details, refer to their program PDF.

MICHIGAN Free Car Seats

Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, Statewide: This office supports neighborhood car seat distribution initiatives by providing car seats at regional seat check events and fitting stations for low-income families. Explore more details here.

Family Futures, Kent County: Parents residing in Kent County who are enrolled in Medicaid are eligible. However, people with a specific level of income may still be eligible. More information can be found on their website.

Kids Always Ride Safe (KARS), Houghton and Keweenaw Counties: KARS is a program for car seat education and a cheap car seat alternative made to last your kids through the years in the car seat/booster seat. This program is available to families living in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, including WIC families. Find out more on their website.

Maternal Infant Health Program, Statewide: Families who receive Medicaid are eligible to receive Free Car Seats from this program, while discounted car seats are provided for families with economic hardships. Read more about their service here.

Trinity Health Michigan (Michigan): They provide a child injury prevention program which includes car seat safety. Learn more about their program and how to avail of these services from their website.

MINNESOTA Free Car Seats

Child Passenger Safety Program, Statewide: This program in Minnesota offers Free Car Seats to families in need. The program is funded by a number of sources. Learn more about their initiative here.

The Baby Blanket (Michigan): They offer a Crib & Car Seat Program to support families in need. They provide car seats among other necessities for your baby. Learn more and apply for assistance on their website.

Sherburne County Public Health, Sherburne County: Car seats are available to Sherburne County residents who meet income requirements. Sherburne County children on WIC, Medical aid, or the Medica PMAP program are automatically qualified. Find out more about their initiative here.

Every Day Miracles, Statewide: This organization donates car seats to families with Medical Assistance health coverage. Visit their website to reserve a spot here.

Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County: The Sheriff’s Office provides car seats to uninsured and low-income families when they are available. More information can be found here.

Renville County Public Health, Renville County: They offer a free car seat class to all residents of Renville County. Members of PrimeWest, Blue Plus, and other groups that may be eligible can access car seats. Read more about their service on their webpage.

Norman-Mahnomen Public Health Department, Norman-Mahnomen Counties: This department offers Free Car Seats to MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance participants who qualify. They also provide guidance on selecting the best kid safety restraint and details on how to use it properly. Explore more details on their webpage.

Vadnais Heights City (Statewide): Their Car Seat Program offers car seat safety checks and provides car seats to families in need. Visit the city’s website for more information.

Mille Lacs County Community Health (Minnesota): This community health center offers car seat safety checks and assistance in obtaining car seats. For more information, visit their website or contact them at:

Public Health:635 2nd St SEMilaca, MN 56353Phone: 320-983-8208Toll-Free: 888-270-8208Fax: 320-983-8352

Carver County Public Health (Minnesota): Carver County provides a Child Passenger Safety Program that offers services to help ensure your child’s car seat is installed correctly. It also offers low-cost car seats to eligible families who are unable to afford one. Learn more about their program on their website.

MISSISSIPPI Free Car Seats

Mississippi State Department of Health, Statewide: The state department of health offers free infant or convertible child safety seats to all eligible Mississippi children. To find out if you qualify, use their assessment form found here.

Farm Bureau Mississippi, Statewide: Farm Bureau Mississippi provides members with the chance to order car seats and booster seats at a reduced cost through the Child Saver Program. Find out more about this service on their webpage.

MISSOURI Free Car Seats

Platte County Buckle Up Kids Car Seat Program, Platte County: This program provides Free Car Seats to residents of Platte County who may be eligible and meet income requirements. Find more about this service here.

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Safety Program, Statewide: Children under the age of one can get a free car seat through this program along with parent instruction from a highly qualified specialist. Local Child Passenger Safety Partners can help you find car seats for kids over one. More information is available here.

Cass County Health Department, Cass County: The Health Department is pleased to offer free car seat safety workshops for families in need of a car seat or booster seat for their child. Find out more on their website.

Henry County Health Center, Henry County: Car seats for low-income families can be offered here. Explore more on their official website.

Lebanon Missouri Child Seat Safety Program, Lebanon: This program gives away car seats to those in need. Find out more about their initiative here.

Lawrence County Health Department (Lawrence County): The Lawrence County Health Department runs a car seat program providing education, installation assistance, and low-cost or Free Car Seats for eligible families in need. For more information, visit their website.

Safe Kids Columbia, Columbia: The Safe Kids Columbia initiative brings together community people, educators, businesses, foundations, volunteers, and local health and safety professionals and provides those in need with Free Car Seats. Read more about their service here.

Callaway County Ambulance District, Callaway County: In order to help individuals in need, the Ambulance District has teamed up with SERVE, Inc. and Safe Kids Columbia. You must submit an application for a voucher at SERVE, Inc., in order to be eligible for a free car seat. Learn more about their initiative here.

MONTANA Free Car Seats

Missoula County, Missoula County: They provide car seat vouchers for those receiving public assistance on a first-come, first-serve basis. Get more details from their website.

Greater Gallatin Safety Commission, Bozeman area: They offer Free Car Seats to families in need. Find more about their service here.

SafeSeat for Baby, Statewide: Referrals for Free Car Seats and training must come from the public health department or another social service organization. Explore more on their webpage.

Safer Start Montana, Statewide: They offer car seats to families in need who apply online. More information can be found on their website.

Ravalli County, Ravalli County: They provide car seats to families in need by appointment only. Find out more about their initiative here.

Safe Kids Yellowstone County, Yellowstone County: Safe Kids Yellowstone County is able to help with car seats when available. They have a reduced-cost program and some people may be able to get one for free if they qualify under one of the grants they have put in for. To receive this help, scheduling an appointment for one of their car seat checks is required. Events are listed on their website, where there is also a link to the pick time calendar so people can schedule the appointment. More details can be found here.

NEBRASKA Free Car Seats

Safe Kids South Central at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings: For those who have Medicaid, Kids Connection, or WIC, car seats can be purchased from Mary Lanning Healthcare for a lower price. Get more information from their website.

Three Rivers Public Health Department (Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties): In partnership with Safe Kids, the Three Rivers Public Health Department offers various services to promote child safety. This includes providing child car seats for eligible families who can’t afford to buy new ones. Visit their website for more details.

NEVADA Free Car Seats

Ron Wood Family Resource Center, Carson City: This center offers discounted car seats when available. Find more information about this resource here.

NyECC Child Car Seat Inspections & Installation, Nye County: The coalition has a number of certified technicians that can properly inspect all child safety seats and install no-cost seats to those that qualify. Contact NyECC at 775-727-9970 to learn how to schedule an inspection or installation. Get more details from their website.

Car Seats for Christy, Statewide: This is a non-profit that gives car seats out to those in need. Learn more about their mission here.

Baby’s Bounty, Statewide: Baby’s Bounty gives car seats along with other baby essentials to families that adhere to the 130% of the 2020 US Federal Poverty Guidelines. Find more about their program requirements here.

NEW HAMPSHIRE Free Car Seats

Amerihealth New Hampshire: This program is available for Amerihealth NH members and provides car seats and booster seats at no cost for child members, up to a $129 value. Learn about the Amerihealth NH benefits here

WellSense: As a WellSense NH MassHealth ACO or MCO member, you may qualify for additional benefits. Car seats play an important part in keeping children safe while riding in a vehicle. Each child member between 5-65 lbs. can receive an infant seat once per lifetime, and children between the ages of 4-8 years old are eligible for a booster seat to replace the infant seat, once requested. Pregnant mothers can request a car seat 45 days prior to their due date. Members should call WellSense Member Services to request a free car or booster seat. Get more information about the WellSense program here

New Hampshire Right to Life (Statewide): Committed to supporting pregnancy centers around New Hampshire, they provide necessary baby items including car seats. For more information on how you can benefit, visit their Support Pregnancy Centers page.

NEW JERSEY Free Car Seats

Burlington County Child Safety Seat Inspection Program: Burlington County offers this program for families who are expecting or have an infant and cannot afford a child safety seat. The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department may be able to provide a seat through the Child Safety Seat program. An application and proof of income are required. Find the Burlington County program details here

Ride of My Life: This charity is dedicated to ensuring the safety of every car ride a baby takes. For mothers who can’t afford the government-required car seat to bring their newborns home from the hospital, Ride of My Life steps in to provide the necessary aid. Hospitals across New Jersey are encouraged to reach out to the organization for their maternity patients in need of a car seat.

Learn about the Ride of My Life initiative hereExplore more about the charity’s outreach here

NEW MEXICO Free Car Seats

New Mexico Child Safety Seat Distribution Program, Statewide: The state program features 40 distribution stations across New Mexico. Each station has its own application criteria, most require proof of qualification for WIC, Medicaid, or New Mexi-Kids. Most families only pay $25, cash only. Visit their website for more details.

NEW YORK Free Car Seats

Ardent Solutions Car Seat Distribution Program, Allegany County: This program helps low-income families and others find the best car seat for their child at every age. From the time a kid is born until they are old enough to ride without a seat, parents and legal guardians of those children are provided with Free Car Seats. There are booster seats available for older children. Assistance is only intended to be given once. Learn more here.

Wayne County Public Health Child Safety Programs’ Car Seat Distribution Class, Wayne County: If you don’t already have one and can’t afford one, this program may be able to help. The course provides a thorough examination of all available car seat models, their applications, and methods for choosing the best one for your child. Free Car Seats are contingent on attending the class, having a valid photo ID and proof of ongoing participation in public assistance programs, and being a permanent resident of Wayne County. Details can be found here.

Onondaga County Car Seat Program, Onondaga County: Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, this program provides Free Car Seats (call for details on eligibility requirements based on poverty). Check their website.

Tremont Neighborhood Health Action Center, Bronx, NYC: Families are given access to newborn car seats or safe sleeping surfaces. More information can be found here.

New York Connects (Washington County): Offers a car seat distribution program across the state of New York, ensuring the safety of children in transit. Learn more about the program for Washington County residents on their Car Seat Distribution Program page.

New Hope Family Services (Syracuse): Provides a variety of pregnancy-related services, including help with obtaining car seats. More information about the services provided can be found on their website.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (Livingston County): Offers a Traffic Safety Education program that includes child safety seats education. More information can be found on their website.

NORTH CAROLINA Free Car Seats

Child Passenger Safety program, Henderson County: Child passenger safety specialists in Henderson County, North Carolina, educate caregivers on the use and correct installation of car seats. If they don’t already have a suitable car seat for the family’s child, Henderson County homeowners may also be eligible for a free car seat. Learn more on their website.

Alleghany Council on Children, Youth, and Families (Alleghany County): Provides the “Buckle Up Car Seat Distribution Program” to assist families with car seat needs. Find more details on their website.

The Bear Closet (Asheville): Offers assistance including car seats to families in need. Visit their website for more information.

NORTH DAKOTA Free Car Seats

North Dakota Car Seat Distribution, Statewide: This state program is sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Health and the North Dakota Department of Transportation. There are over 25 car seat distribution locations across the state, and you can call each location for more information. Find a location here.

First District Health Unit Car Seat Distribution Program, Ward County: This program offers discounted car seats to all families. The cost is $61 for car seats and $5 for backless boosters. Families receiving any kind of public assistance (like WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, etc) are eligible for a further discount, with car seats costing only $30 and backless boosters still at $5. This service is available by appointment only. More details here.

Bismarck Child Safety Program (Bismarck): Provides car seat safety education and may have resources for families in need of car seats. More information is available on their website.

Safe Kids Grand Forks (Grand Forks): Offers car seat checkup events, educational presentations, and may provide car seats for families in need. Learn more on their website.

OHIO Free Car Seats

Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB) Child Passenger Safety Program, Statewide: This program offers Free Car Seats and booster seats to qualified low-income families in all Ohio counties. Individuals who qualify based on income must attend an instructional session led by a licensed technician in order to obtain a free OBB seat. The program provides two types of kid safety seats: Convertible Seat ($20 donation) & Booster Seat ($10 donation). Learn more about the program here.

Columbus Public Health Car Seat Program, Columbus: Families in need can benefit from this program by receiving discounted car seats and booster seats. Families need to be referred by their WIC clinic or by a Columbus Public Health Home Visiting program in order to be given a seat. The cost is $30 for a convertible car seat and $10 for a booster seat. Families are required to attend a 60–90 minute long lesson. More details here.

Akron Children’s Hospital Car Seat Program, Akron: This program offers brand new car seats at a reduced cost to low-income families. This discount is available to families who receive government assistance (e.g., WIC, Medicaid, etc.). Caregivers are educated on how to correctly utilize the seat and install it in a vehicle. The hospital occasionally obtains complimentary seats from ODH throughout the year. Read more here.

Lorain County Car Seat Program, Lorain County: This program educates parents and guardians on child passenger safety and gives car seats and booster seats to qualifying people. Eligibility criteria include living in Lorain County, having a qualifying income (eligible for WIC or SNAP), and attending a 30-minute information session. Find more details here.

Tuscarawas County Health Department Car Seat Program, Tuscarawas County: This department has numerous nationally certified car seat technicians (CPST) on staff who can assist you with your car seat. WIC Income Eligible children may receive one car seat every three years if their parents or legal guardians attend a class and pass a quiz. More details here.

Putnam County Health Department Car Seat Program, Putnam County: This program offers Free Car Seats to a resident of Putnam County who also meets WIC Income Guidelines or is income eligible for WIC. Learn more here.

Warren County Health District Car Seat Program, Warren County: This program provides Free Car Seats. To qualify, a parent/caregiver must meet WIC income limits, though the beneficiary does not need to be registered in WIC. The family must have a child who meets the requirements for a car/booster seat and must attend an educational class. More details here.

Knox Public Health Car Seat Program, Knox County: This program offers convertible and booster seats to low-income families in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health’s Ohio Buckles Buckeyes. A $10 charge is suggested at the time of the class. Find more details here.

Belmont County Health Department Car Seat Program, Belmont County: This department offers Free Car Seats to eligible families. To confirm WIC eligibility, the family must submit one of the following documents: paystubs for the previous 30 days, WIC card, Medicaid card, W2s/most recent tax transcript, or unemployment benefits/award letter. More details here.

Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) Car Seat Program, Lake County: This program provides car seats to income-eligible families in collaboration with University Hospitals and the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB). To get a car seat, the parent/legal caregiver must attend an instructional class. Learn more here.

Perry County Health Department Car Seat Program, Perry County: This department offers Free Car Seats. A parent or guardian is eligible for a convertible car seat or booster seat if they live in Perry County, are a WIC customer, or meet current WIC income limits. Infant car seats are offered to families receiving assistance from Job and Family Services. More details here.

OKLAHOMA Free Car Seats

SPARC Car Seats: Single Parent Academic Resources Collaborative, Oklahoma City: This program uses a first-come, first-served policy to distribute car seats. Local car seat events are listed on the website. Check the event details because some car seats are provided for free or at a low fee. Details here

Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, Injury Prevention Service, Safe Kids Oklahoma, Statewide: These entities collaborate to launch a car/booster seat program through county health departments. Free Car Seats and booster seats are available to families that qualify for WIC benefits or receive Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. Details here

Bethany Children’s Health Center, Bethany: For individuals who are eligible, the center offers inexpensive car seats. Details here

Infant Crisis Services, Oklahoma City: A local group offers supplies like diapers, blankets, baby clothes, formula, car seats, and other essentials to those in need. Details here

Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service, Muskogee County: The Kirschner Trusts awarded a grant to Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service to help cover the cost of car seats for low-income families in the county. Details here

OREGON Free Car Seats

Grants Pass Fire and Rescue, Grants Pass: This program offers reduced-cost seats for individuals on OHP or families working with WIC. Convertible and combination seats are available for $30 and booster seats for $10. Additional discounts are available for some individuals working with WIC, but they must learn how to use the car seat correctly. Details here

Oregon Building Healthy Families, Wallowa County: The organization offers car seats in conjunction with a class on a sliding scale payment basis. Details here

Bambinos Oregon, Polk County: If you are a current Bambinos client living in Polk County, a seat is available for a $15 deposit and education is given. Details here

Care Inc, Tillamook County: The organization offers low-cost car seats, determined on a case-by-case basis, along with other essentials for Tillamook County residents. Details here

Legacy Health, Portland: The organization offers a car seat safety class with no/low-cost car seat on availability. Details here

Multnomah County Healthy Birth Initiative, Multnomah County: For Black or African American families in Multnomah County, discounted car seats are available. Details here

Doernbacher Children’s Hospital, Portland: This hospital works with ODOT to see if families are eligible for the car seat distribution program. Details here

Safe Kids Lower Columbia, Columbia County: This program provides an interactive car seat program with one-on-one instruction, a $50 visa gift card just for keeping your appointment, and a free car seat if needed. Details here

Salem Right to Life Center, Salem: By taking five parenting classes, you can earn Baby Bucks that can be redeemed for a new car seat. Details here

Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc, Umatilla & Morrow Counties: Families in/near Hermiston and Pendleton can get car seats for low-income families at a reduced cost. Convertible seats are available for $30, high-back boosters for $20, and no-back boosters for $10. Details here

Vine Medical Pregnancy Health Clinic: A new car seat can be obtained by participating in the educational programs. Details here, Educational Resources

City of Albany, Albany: The Albany Area Child Passenger Safety Program can provide low-cost seats to income-eligible families residing in Linn and Benton counties. A referral may be obtained from Love, Inc, or from WIC for families who are currently eligible for and receiving WIC benefits.

PENNSYLVANIA Free Car Seats

Tri-County Community Action, Dauphin County: This organization collaborates with SAFE KIDS in Dauphin County through Penn State Children’s Hospital to provide a discounted car seat program for families referred to them or other public assistance organizations. Safety checks can be performed by their professionals if required. The program aims to inform the public about the importance of using car seats correctly for safety and legal reasons. Details here

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia: Through the CHOP Child Safety Seat Program, the hospital provides child car seats free of charge. A healthcare professional may refer anyone who cannot afford to buy a child safety seat to this program. To qualify, you must be actively receiving public assistance and have a green EBT Access card. Details here

Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project’s Car Seat Loan Program, Statewide: Free Car Seats are available at locations throughout the county through this program. Details here

Central Pennsylvania Community Action, Central Pennsylvania: This organization has set up a car seat loaner program for people who can’t afford to buy the right car seat for their infants or toddlers. In collaboration with PennDOT and the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project, this program lends out the appropriate car seats to those who meet the required income levels, set at 150% of the poverty line or less. Details here

RHODE ISLAND Free Car Seats

Injury Prevention Center’s 4-Safety Program, Statewide: Certified child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) from the Injury Prevention Center teach car seat installation to parents. Qualified low-income families may be provided a car seat for their child. Details here

The organization also lists the sites for car seat checks in Rhode Island. Details here

Seats 4 Safety Program at Lifespan (Statewide): This program offers car seat inspections and may provide Free Car Seats for eligible families who are unable to afford them. More details can be found on their website.

SOUTH CAROLINA Free Car Seats

Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, Midlands: The hospital and its Buckle Buddies program offer new and safe car seats to families in the Midlands via their Medicaid discount program. Car seats can be purchased at a discount at Palmetto Health Baptist’s Birthplace. The discount is $10 per car seat, making the total cost $65 for a regular car seat and $35 for a convertible car seat. To access this service, contact:

More details here

Prisma Health Baptist Hospital, Taylor at Marion St. Columbia, SC 29220

Call: (803) 296-5437

Molina Healthcare of South Carolina: Provides a free car seat program for eligible members who complete 6 prenatal visits. Members must email their details to [email protected] with “Car Seat” as the email subject. The email must include the member’s full name, physical mailing address, phone number, and Molina ID number. Please note that car seat types may vary. More details here

SOUTH DAKOTA Free Car Seats

South Dakota Department of Social Services, Statewide: This department offers the Child Safety Seat Distribution Program which aims to ensure children are in the most suitable child seat for their height and weight until they are at least 4’9″. It provides child safety seats at no cost to families that meet income eligibility requirements. Details here

Sanford Children’s CHILD Services, Statewide: This service offers the Child Safety Seat Distribution Program, which aims to keep children safe by providing child safety seats at no cost to families who meet the income eligibility requirements. The goal is to ensure children ride in the best car seat for their size and weight until they reach a minimum height of 4 feet 9 inches. Details here

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, Statewide: In collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Social Services, this organization offers Free Car Seats to parents who meet the requirements. Parents must live in South Dakota and be enrolled in a program that qualifies them for financial assistance, such as Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, CHIP, Child Care Assistance, or Head Start. Details here

TENNESSEE Free Car Seats

Shelby County Health Department Child Car Seat Program, Shelby County: This program offers free convertible car seats to Shelby County residents with children under the age of 2 who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Details here

Mother To Mother (Nashville): A non-profit organization that provides vital health, safety, and wellness items for infants and children in need. They have programs that may help families acquire car seats. For more information, visit their website.

TEXAS Free Car Seats

Texas Health and Human Services, Statewide: The Safe Riders initiative forms alliances with Texas stakeholders to educate about child passenger safety and manage the distribution of child safety seats to low-income families. Safe Riders refer families to established distribution stations in their neighborhood. Details here

Denton County Public Health, Denton County: The Safe Riders initiative also provides child safety seat distribution and education here. Families that meet the eligibility requirements and attend the course will be provided with a car seat. Families must self-certify their financial need, have a vehicle with a working safety belt, and attend a one-hour session to learn how to properly use the car seat. Car seat classes are held monthly. Details here

St. John’s Community Center, Travis County: This center offers a variety of services to low-income families, including a free car seat program. To obtain a car seat, you must first complete a car seat safety course. Details here

Living Alternatives of Jacksonville, Jacksonville: This organization may provide free child car seats to low-income mothers who are pregnant or have small children. Living Alternatives is approved annually to distribute new car seats for free through the State of Texas Safe-Riders Program. Details here

UMC Foundation El Paso (El Paso): The UMC Foundation’s Car Seat Safety Program helps ensure child passenger safety by providing car seats to families who might otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit their website for more details.

Families to Freedom (Dallas): This organization offers a program providing car seats for families in need. They ensure that families on their way to a safer life have the necessary equipment for transporting children safely. More information is available on their website.

UTAH Free Car Seats

Salt Lake County Health Department, Salt Lake County: The department sells new car seats to qualifying families on a sliding fee scale. Eligible families must attend a car seat class and provide proof of income, which must be at or below 195% of the federal poverty level. Details here

Tooele County Health Department, Tooele County: Offers low-cost car seats to qualifying families. The department also provides free car seat education classes on the first Wednesday of every month. Details here

Weber-Morgan Health Department, Weber County: Sells new car seats on a sliding fee scale to families who qualify. Similar to the program in Salt Lake County, qualifying families must attend a car seat class and provide proof of income, which must be at or below 195% of the federal poverty level. Details here

Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Southern Utah: Offers car seats for free or for a discount after a car seat installation course. Details here

VERMONT Free Car Seats

Vermont Safety Seat Voucher Program, Statewide: This program provides Free Car Seats and booster seats to low-income families who meet program qualifications, primarily determined by receipt of state or federal funds. Details here

Rescue Inc., Statewide: This is a Pediatric Safe Organization designated by the state of Vermont. They provide Free Car Seats to qualified low-income families and free car seat inspections to anyone who wants one. Details here

Lyndon Rescue, Statewide: As part of Vermont’s Child Passenger Safety Program, Lyndon Rescue provides free child safety seat inspections and installation. They also offer low-cost car seats and booster seats to income-eligible families who meet the program’s qualifications. Details here

Springfield Hospital, Springfield: This hospital provides a Nationally Certified Passenger Safety Technician to help families with the installation and use of their child’s car seat. They collaborate with the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program to supply car seats to individuals in need. Details here

Colchester Police Department, Colchester: Employs nationally qualified child passenger safety technicians who can inspect your child’s seat installation. Also, if you have a free seat voucher from the Vermont Department of Health, they can assist you. Details here

VIRGINIA Free Car Seats

Virginia Department of Health Low Income Safety Seat Distribution and Education Program, Statewide: This program promotes, acquires, and distributes free child safety seats to low-income families. Details here

Fairfax County Health Department, Fairfax County: Provides income-eligible parents, foster parents, and legal guardians of a child aged 7 or younger, and pregnant women in their third trimester with car seat instruction and a free car seat. Details here

City of Norfolk’s Child Passenger Safety Program, Norfolk: This program provides low-income families with instruction as well as free child safety seats and booster seats from the third trimester of pregnancy through the age of seven. Details here

City of Lynchburg, Lynchburg: Employs Child Safety Seat Technicians who have completed the National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program. They also provide a program for low-income children. Details here

Louisa County, Louisa County: The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Division of Injury and Violence Prevention maintains a statewide Child Safety Seat Program that provides low-income families with seat distribution and instruction. Details here

WASHINGTON Free Car Seats

Seattle Children’s Car Seat Program, Seattle: Provides car seats for patients or ER patients, asking families to pay what they can towards the wholesale cost of the car seat. Details here

Benton Franklin Health District, Benton Franklin: Safe Kids Benton Franklin offers free car seat checks and also has car seats available for low-income families who meet the qualifications. Details here

Babies In Need, Southwest WA: Works with social workers to help families get car seats and other essentials. Details here

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Southwest WA: Offers a one-hour car seat education class and there are a limited number of car seats available for low income families. Details here

Eastside Baby Corner, Seattle and Surrounding Areas: A community organization that serves families in need in and around Seattle. They can provide car seats and other baby essentials, partnering with various organizations, including Afghan Health Initiative. Details here and here

Two Hearts Pregnancy Aid, Washington: Will provide a car seat to any family in need as long as they qualify. Details here

West Seattle Food Bank, Seattle: In a partnership with Westside Baby, car seats can be ordered for qualifying families. Details here and here

WASHINGTON D.C. Free Car Seats

The District Department of Transportation, Washington D.C.: Runs a federally sponsored Child Safety Seat Program, which educates parents and caregivers on the need of using child safety seats every time a child travels in a car. The program gives an infant or toddler seat, a free booster seat, and information on correctly fitting and strapping children into their safety seats to District households. This project is a collaboration between DDOT, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and Safe Kids Washington DC. Details here

WEST VIRGINIA Free Car Seats

The Gabriel Project of West Virginia, Statewide: Assists families that lack the financial means to meet the physical demands of a new infant. They supply their clients with infant essentials such as new cribs, new car seats, diapers, formula, clothing, hygiene products, and other items at no or low cost. Details here

Motown Christian Help (Morgantown): Offers a variety of programs to support families, including a program that provides car seats to those in need. Their mission is to provide help and hope to individuals and families in the Houston area. For more details, visit their website.

WISCONSIN Free Car Seats

West Allis Health Department, West Allis: The health department offers a variety of car seat services, including providing low-cost car or booster seats to low-income families. More details here

Injury Free Coalition for Kids (Milwaukee): This organization is dedicated to preventing injury to children. As part of their mission, they provide a car seat safety program that offers car seats to families in need in the Waco area. Learn more by visiting their website.

Clark County Health Department, Clark County: The health department runs a program called “Car Seats for Kids,” offering free car seat checks to all parents or guardians with children in car seats or booster seats. Some parents may even be eligible for a free car seat! The department also provides educational materials to ensure the safest travel for your child. More details here

Brown County Public Health (Brown County): They offer a Car Seat Program that provides car seats at a discounted price to families who qualify. This program aims to increase the number of children who are safely restrained in vehicles. More details can be found on their website.

WYOMING Free Car Seats

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Cheyenne: Partners with Kohls, Walmart, and other local retailers to offer free or discounted car seats. Interested parties should call the Injury Prevention Department at (307) 432-2679. Details here

Teton County Car Seat Program, Teton County: This program is supported by generous donations from the local Kiwanis Club. It provides affordable car seats, though it cannot provide seats for second vehicles from this program. The suggested donation is $25. Details here

Conclusion

Securing a safe car seat for your child is an essential aspect of responsible parenting. For Texas families, the WIC car seat program Texas offers a crucial pathway to access this vital safety equipment. Beyond WIC, numerous other programs at the state and national level are dedicated to providing free or low-cost car seats to families in need. By exploring the resources outlined in this guide, and specifically investigating the WIC car seat program Texas and other Texas programs, parents can take proactive steps to ensure their children travel safely, regardless of their financial circumstances. Remember to always prioritize car seat safety education and proper installation to maximize the protection a car seat offers.