Questions 

1. What is the Community Health Program?

2. How do I know if I qualify for any of these services and get a car seat for my child?

3. What type of car seat should I get for my child?

4. How long do I have to keep my child in a car seat?

5. How long and often do the women's health programs run and what topics might be covered?

What is the Community Health Program?

The Community Health Program consists of statewide grants funded by the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. It funds projects at the community level designed to increase the health status of women of childbearing age, which will reduce infant mortality rates. The Arizona Logic Model helps track interventions and outcomes, which gives each Contractor the information needed to reach their goals and objectives. The community level efforts include partnership building with those entities that can most effectively contribute to improving the health of women and children through the specified health outcomes. By zeroing in on the most critical issues impacting women’s and children’s health in Arizona, we have the best chance of making an impact. The Community Health Program encourages each community to tailor its program to fit the needs of its population within the parameters of the specific outcomes.


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How do I know if I qualify for any of these services and get a car seat for my child?

If you are a woman of childbearing age or have a child that needs a car safety seat, and are within the income range of a particular program, you may qualify. Contact the program closest to your area to find out if you meet their qualifications. 

Some of the programs offer private, individual car seat installation classes and some have group classes scheduled for a limited number of parents/caregivers. The program includes classroom instruction along with hands on installation of the car seat. The car seats are free, or very low cost, depending on the guidelines of the local program.


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What type of car seat should I get for my child?

The Car Seat Program Coordinator in your area will help you make that decision. Even if you already have a car seat for your child, it is strongly encouraged that you contact the Program Coordinator and make an appointment to have your car seat installation inspected.

According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommendations:

Infants (birth to 1 year and less than 20 pounds) need an infant only or rear facing convertible car seat. The seat position is always rear facing and in the back seat.

Toddlers (over 1 year old and between 20 to 40 pounds) need to be placed in a convertible, forward facing and always in the back seat.

Young children (over 40 pounds, ages 4-8, unless 4’9”) need to be placed in a belt positioning booster seat, forward facing and always in the back seat. Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belt. Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area on your child in the booster seat and the shoulder belt fits snug crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries.

Pregnant women should also wear their seat belts, but they should be used in a particular way to avoid injury to their unborn child. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant to find out how to properly wear your seat belt during your pregnancy.

All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat.


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How long do I have to keep my child in a car seat?

A child should be in a car seat of some type from birth until he/she reaches a weight of 80 pounds and a height of 4 feet 9 inches, usually around the age of 8, depending on the size of the child. There are different types of car seats, depending on the age, weight and height of your child. Your program representative will be able to direct you to the proper size and fit your child with the appropriate car seat. 

As a child gets older, he/she needs a booster seat so the seat belt in your car fits safely around your child at a proper level and will not cause internal injuries to the child if you are in a motor vehicle accident. This age group is often overlooked, since Arizona law only requires you to have your child in a car safety seat until the age of five. As a parent/caregiver you run a great risk of severe injury to your child if no booster seat is used for those children over the age of five.


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How long and often do women's health programs run and what topics might be covered?

Most programs run 8 to 12 weeks and meet once per week. You may be permitted to continue attending the women’s health programs beyond your initial series to assist you in making long lasting healthy changes in your life.

Women’s health programs are available in various communities throughout Arizona. Classes and activities are offered to help participants achieve and maintain healthy weight through exercise and proper nutrition. How to handle stress, choosing correct portion sizes, and reading food labels may be included . The dangers of alcohol and smoking to unborn children and how secondhand smoke affects infants may also be discussed. Information about caring for infants may include home safety, sleep position, and when to call a doctor. The benefits of breastfeeding, when to start solid foods and how to increase them, the dangers of bottle propping, foods that can cause choking, and other topics may all be included. Please call the program in your area for more details about class schedules and the specific topics that will be covered.

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