Injury Free Coalition for Kids

A Brief Overview

Mission Statement

The mission of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester is to work with a community coalition to learn more about how, when, and where injuries to children occur, to set priorities for injury prevention, to develop new prevention strategies, and to study the impact of these strategies on the Rochester

Background

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children less than 18 years of age in Monroe County. As a result, Monroe County has made reducing unintentional childhood injuries a health priority. The Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester is an injury prevention program whose goal is to address this health priority in our community. Centered at the University of Rochester, Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester’s strength is working with community groups, governmental agencies and others to identify community concerns, develop plans to address those concerns, and implement prevention activities. By relying on the strengths of our coalition members, Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester is able to address community needs for injury prevention programs.

Infrastructure Funding

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Funded the creation of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Rochester. This three year award ended in December 2006.
• Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation: Awarded funding for one year to support all of our programs.
• Rochester Area Community Foundation: The Van Wagen Family has provided funding for all of our programs. Encouraged to reapply.

• Kohl’s Cares has been a major funder of Injury Free Coalition for Kids since 2007.  Through their generous contributions, the Kohl’s Pedal Patrol has been established.  This program focuses on encouraging safe bicycle riding, by promoting proper helmet use and safe riding techniques for Rochester area children.

• Donations through anonymous donors, United Way and fundraising events.

Project Funding

• Pediatric Links with the Community Grant: Provided funding for one year to train outreach workers to conduct home safety visits to low-income families with young children. They also supplied 250 home safety kits.
• Allstate Foundation: Provided funding to build 2 safe playgrounds in underserved neighborhoods in Rochester. Maplewood Park and JP Riley Park were selected as recipients of the playgrounds. Also provided funding for a Safe Teen Driving program to begin in 2008.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities: Awarded funding to provide helmets to Strong Memorial Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department patients who sustain wheeled sport injuries and to children who are identified as needing them during our home safety visits. Also awarded funding in 2008 to create home safety displays geared towards children to use at health fairs and Rochester’s Healthy Home.