Program Details

The BUB program is comprised of two major components. The first is the BuckleUpBoston! coalition. The coalition is an alliance of hospitals, health centers, and public and private institutions led by CIPP. The members of the coalition are committed to child passenger safety and improving access to car safety seats to underserved city populations. Coalition members meet on a bi-monthly basis to discuss current CPS issues and plan events throughout Boston. Members receive a bi-monthly E-newsletter with CPS updates and are provided with CPS training opportunities. The second program component is car seat distribution. The BuckleUpBoston! distribution program provides the opportunity for low-income Boston residents to have easy access to car safety seats through their community health center or hospital. Health center or hospital staff, at 22 participating distribution sites, train patients on correct car seat use and provide a seat on-site.

The goal of BUB is to increase awareness about CPS and usage rates of seats amongst low-income families in the city of Boston. The program objectives and outcomes are:

• Improve access to affordable child safety seats: By distributing car seats to families who otherwise might not have access to them, the BuckleUpBoston! program expects to decrease the incidence of injuries to children involved in car crashes.
  
  
• Increase knowledge of correct use of child passenger restraints: As part of the BuckleUpBoston! program, parents receive training and educational materials about car seat use prior to receiving a car seat. They are also referred to local certified CPS technicians who can install their seats correctly.

In 2002 and 2003, Boston was fortunate in that there were no fatalities for children ages four and under involved in motor vehicle crashes. The city’s low traffic fatality rate can be attributed to its superb emergency response system and close proximity to trauma centers. Even so, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that, in the city of Boston during 2003, there were 264 emergency room visits for motor vehicle occupant injuries in children ages 0 to 4 years old. Boston’s low-income children are disproportionately at a higher risk for injuries caused by non-use of car seats. Only 25% of children aged 0 to 4 years old who are covered by Medicaid travel in car safety seats, compared to the 70% of other children aged 0 to 4 who use car safety seats.

The BuckleUpBoston! program is innovative in a variety of ways. Firstly, it is the only car seat distribution program of its kind in the state of Massachusetts. While there are car seat rental and loan programs at individual sites around the state, the BUB distribution program is unique in that it is comprised of 22 collaborating sites. By bringing together major hospitals and community health centers throughout the city of Boston, BUB has been able to successfully reach its target population – low-income urban families. Over 1,600 families receive a car seat through the BUB program annually.

BUB is also innovative in that it bridges the gap between distribution of seats and proper installation by following a train-the-trainer model. Hospitals or health centers who wish to participate in the program must send at least one staff member to a CPS training. After the staff member(s) completes the training, they can begin to distribute seats to parents. They must, however, train the parents on correct use of the seat before distributing it. As part of the training, parents are also provided with information on where they can have their car seat properly installed by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Finally, the program is innovative because the BuckleUpBoston! coalition has been involved in promoting a booster seat bill in the state of Massachusetts. The legislation hopes to reduce injury and death to children in motor vehicle crashes by raising the age and weight requirements for children who travel in booster seats to the national standard of 57 inches. By helping to mobilize community members and supporting the policy through letters and testimonies, coalition members continue to reinforce their commitment to child passenger safety.

The BuckleUpBoston! program has effectively partnered with corporations in the past. When the program first began, a partnership with the local Kmart was formed. BUB distribution sites provided their patients with car seat vouchers that could be redeemed at Kmart. By partnering with a large retail chain, the program received visibility and also saved money in freight and delivery charges. Unfortunately, the Boston area Kmarts closed in 2003. BUB also partnered with Executive Auto Glass (EAG), a local auto glass replacement company. In concert with BUB and the Greater Boston Safe Kids Coalition, EAG hosted car seat check points throughout the city and state.

Several community partners have also participated in the BUB coalition. The Boston Police Department has dedicated several of their community service officers to CPS safety by registering them to become Certified CPS Technicians. The Boston Fire Department has hosted car seat checkpoints in the past, and the Emergency Medical Services of Boston plans to host checkpoints in the future.

In turn, CIPP coordinates the coalition by providing CPS updates and training opportunities to its members, planning child safety seat inspections, and actively recruiting the participation of more hospitals and health centers. CIPP also funds 14 health center distribution sites, and provides CPS resources and materials to all coalition members.

In 2002 and 2003, Boston was fortunate in that there were no fatalities for children ages four and under involved in motor vehicle crashes. The city’s low traffic fatality rate can be attributed to its superb emergency response system and close proximity to trauma centers. Even so, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that, in the city of Boston during 2003, there were 264 emergency room visits for motor vehicle occupant injuries in children ages 0 to 4 years old. Boston’s low-income children are disproportionately at a higher risk for injuries caused by non-use of car seats. Only 25% of children aged 0 to 4 years old who are covered by Medicaid travel in car safety seats, compared to the 70% of other children aged 0 to 4 who use car safety seats.

The BuckleUpBoston! program is innovative in a variety of ways. Firstly, it is the only car seat distribution program of its kind in the state of Massachusetts. While there are car seat rental and loan programs at individual sites around the state, the BUB distribution program is unique in that it is comprised of 22 collaborating sites. By bringing together major hospitals and community health centers throughout the city of Boston, BUB has been able to successfully reach its target population – low-income urban families. Over 1,600 families receive a car seat through the BUB program annually.

BUB is also innovative in that it bridges the gap between distribution of seats and proper installation by following a train-the-trainer model. Hospitals or health centers who wish to participate in the program must send at least one staff member to a CPS training. After the staff member(s) completes the training, they can begin to distribute seats to parents. They must, however, train the parents on correct use of the seat before distributing it. As part of the training, parents are also provided with information on where they can have their car seat properly installed by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Finally, the program is innovative because the BuckleUpBoston! coalition has been involved in promoting a booster seat bill in the state of Massachusetts. The legislation hopes to reduce injury and death to children in motor vehicle crashes by raising the age and weight requirements for children who travel in booster seats to the national standard of 57 inches. By helping to mobilize community members and supporting the policy through letters and testimonies, coalition members continue to reinforce their commitment to child passenger safety.