Coalition Meeting
Baystate VNA and Hospice
October 3, 2011
Present:
Tania Carter, National Guard
Sue Hamlett, Preschool Enrichment Team
Taj Kamau-Robinson, WIC
Ida Konderwicz, Baystate Medical Trauma Center
Kelly Kelly, HCS Head Start
Mandi O’Brien, BMC HealthNet Plan
Maria Pelchar, Holyoke Fire Department
Mike Richard, Springfield Fire Department
Magda RodrÃguez, Safe Kids of Western Massachusetts
Yessina Sanchez, BMC HealthNet Plan
David Silva, Health New England
Mandi Summers, Safe Kids of Western Massachusetts
Meeting opened at 11:10am
Information Sharing/Networking
October 5th, Walk to School Day, 7:20 am Brightwood Health Center to Chestnut School, Springfield, and 8:20am-8:55am Lions Club to Beal School (285 Tiffany Street), Springfield
October 8th, 10am-1pm (or until the coats run out) Coat Give-away Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center, 11 Wilbraham Road
October 8th, 10am-3pm Shriner’s Burn Brigade and CHIP Program, Eastfield Mall, Springfield
October 17th, 2pm-6pm Car Seat Check for Holyoke Head Start Families, Holyoke Fire Department, 600 High Street
October 19th, 5pm-8pm, Brains at Risk Program, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield
October 21st, Suicide Prevention Conference for Professionals, Log Cabin
October 24th, 2pm-6pm Car Seat Check for Springfield/Chicopee Head Start Families (and open to the public), Raymond Sullivan Safety Complex, 1212 Carew Street, Springfield
October 26th, 5:30pm-7:30pm Halloween Event – YMCA, Springfield
October 27th, 2pm-6pm, Halloween Event, Holyoke Fire Department, 600 High Street
Western Massachusetts Safety and Fire Education Association Meetings – 3rd Wednesday of the month from 12pm-2pm, locations vary. Contact Maria Pelchar at Holyoke Fire Department or Mike Richard at Springfield Fire Department if interested.
Safe Kids of Western Massachusetts Blog:
http://safekidswmass.blogspot.com/
International Walk to School Day
International Walk to School Day is an opportunity to teach students about safe walking habits and to make drivers more aware of children walking to school and about their driving habits.
There will be three events this year:
7:20am Brightwood Health Center walking to Chestnut School in Springfield
8:20am Lions Club on Tiffany Street walking to Beal School in Springfield
Please join any event that you can to help support kids walking to school. The kids form a parade with signs and banners to walk to school. They are short events and a lot of fun. We will have FedEx participation for at least one of the schools (FedEx funds Safe Kids to help coordinate the Walk to School Day events).
Halloween
There will be a Halloween event at the Holyoke Fire Department as in years past on October 27th from 2pm-6pm. Kids come to the fire department to “trick or treat” at different agency tables. Please let Mandi or Maria Pelchar know if you would like to participate. Agencies need to bring enough small give-aways or candy for 500 kids. There will be a magic show and other activities. We are looking for Halloween bags (about 500) – preferably reflective!
Any other Halloween events? Please let Magda or Mandi know, we may be able to supply some reflective items or flashing pumpkin necklaces.
Safe Start Travel Grant
Safe Kids was awarded a Safe Start Travel grant to work with Head Start to train Family Service Coordinators to teach parents about pedestrian and car seat safety and to hold car seat checks for Head Start parents. The Family Service Coordinator training was held on September 26th at 1:30pm at 50 Maple Street. The Holyoke Head Start Car Seat Check will be at the Holyoke Fire Department on October 17th from 2pm-6pm. The Springfield/Chicopee Head Start Car Seat Check will be at the Raymond Sullivan Safety Complex, 1212 Carew Street, Springfield from 2pm-6pm.
Child Car Seat Safety Checks
Please let Mandi or Magda know if you are interested in hosting a child car seat check. Safe Kids received a grant from EOPSS for car seats and to support car seat check activity.
T
Future Meetings:
Monday, November 7, 2011, 11am Safe Kids Meeting, 50 Maple Street
Monday, December 5, 2011, 11:30 am Safe Kids Annual Luncheon (location TBA)
