HARTFORD, Conn. (April 21, 2008) – Today, Wallingford-based Community Health Network of Connecticut, Inc. (CHNCT), the only not-for-profit health plan in the state, is collaborating with the Hartford Fire Department and Connecticut SAFE KIDS’ local chapter to provide approximately 50 expectant mothers with free child safety seats and installation training.

The initiative is part of a four-month safety awareness campaign Community Health Network of Connecticut launched this March in collaboration with other statewide, community-focused organizations. Through June, the public awareness initiative, supported by WTNH News Channel 8 and Connecticut Parent Magazine, is providing safety equipment and educational workshops to Connecticut residents in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

"Keeping children safe on the road means putting them in the right restraint at the right age, but also making sure to install and use a child safety seat correctly in a vehicle," said Sylvia B. Kelly, president and chief executive office of Community Health Network of Connecticut. "Recent studies tell us that four out of five child safety seats are installed improperly. Today’s public awareness workshop and video presentation will show parents that it takes no less than 30 minutes to check that a safety child seat is installed properly in an automobile."

Certified technicians at the Hartford Fire Department’s Fischer Street Training Academy will offer two, hour-long demonstrations on child safety seat installation to the area’s expectant mothers. These soon-to-be mothers have been identified through Community Health Network of Connecticut’s membership and affiliate health agencies to receive child safety seats the health plan donated to the fire department’s local car seat fitting station. Connecticut SAFE KIDS will distribute educational materials and tips about selecting, installing and using child safety seats.

"I am delighted to see Community Health Network of Connecticut take a leadership role in raising public awareness about child seat safety," said Karen Brock, MPH, director of Connecticut SAFE KIDS in West Hartford.  "Our mission is to reduce preventable injuries to children through grassroots community activities and public awareness campaigns such as CHNCT’s," said Brock.  www.ctsafekids.org

Last month, CHNCT employees, fire fighters and the American Red Cross’ South Central Connecticut Chapter distributed free home safety equipment and educational materials to more than 350 Connecticut residents attending free informational workshops at New Haven fire departments. At these sites, Community Health Network of Connecticut donated several hundred fire extinguishers to complement smoke detectors that were contributed by Kidde through the New Haven Lowe’s outlet. CHNCT employees also delivered free smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to Victory Gardens and Wayfarer housing projects, both in New Haven.

In May, Community Health Network of Connecticut will host "Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies Day" at Bridgeport’s Columbus School where free bike helmets and safety information will be donated by CHNCT and distributed to 750 children; pre-school through eighth grade. The Yale University School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, University of Connecticut’s Department of Allied Health Sciences, SAFE KIDS’ Connecticut Coalition and Zen Yoga are among the many local organizations with which CHNCT is collaborating to develop this day-long educational program.

More than 130 people work at CHNCT’s Wallingford headquarters. CHNCT is a non-profit organization sponsored by seven Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers. In collaboration with several community-based organizations, health centers and a statewide provider network for primary care, specialty care, inpatient, rehabilitation and outpatient locations, CHNCT’s mission is to improve the health care status and well-being of members through local, statewide service. In 2007, CHNCT received accreditation in Health Utilization Management from the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC), a national organization that promotes continuous improvement in quality and health care management efficiency. The Community Health Network of Connecticut Foundation also actively seeks and builds relationships with other institutions, organizations and individuals that share its mission of advancing, supporting and promoting programs and activities that fundamentally improve the health of Connecticut residents. Go to www.chnctfoundation.org for a list of local health care collaborators.