1000 SW Jackson Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

Safe Kids Kansas Presents 2005 Awards

Safe Kids Kansas today honored two organizations and one individual at their Annual Meeting in Topeka, Kansas. "This is a great opportunity to recognize the individuals and organizations in our state that have contributed to the mission of Safe Kids Kansas preventing the leading killer of our children accidental injury," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator, Safe Kids Kansas.

The Service Recognition Award is given to a member organization or individual who has made a significant contribution to the mission and goals of Safe Kids Kansas. This year, Kansas Action for Children is receiving this award for their sponsorship of Child Advocacy Day each year. In addition, Kansas Action for Children staff worked diligently this past year to assist Safe Kids Kansas in working on the booster seat law. As chair for the public policy committee, Cindy D'Ercole of their staff will continue to lead efforts to pass the booster seat bill during the 2006 legislative session.

Local Chapter of the Year is awarded to a local chapter of Safe Kids Kansas that has excelled in bringing together varied and diverse members of the community to actively participate in Safe Kids activities. The award this year was presented to a local Chapter that has become a leading injury prevention force within their community, Safe Kids Marion County. During the past year, this chapter has implemented programs in multiple injury risk areas including child passenger safety, water safety, bike safety, and fire safety. One example is a PFD (personal flotation device) loaner program they developed with the local pools along with a water safety program. Their coordinator, Sondra Mayfield, is a passionate leader who recognizes opportunity and takes a proactive approach to keeping kids in Marion County safe, healthy and happy. Their dedication to the mission of Safe Kids makes them a model Safe Kids chapter.

The Outstanding Coalition Organization Award is awarded to a member organization whose policies and activities make a significant contribution to the mission and goals of the Coalition. The Award for 2005 was given to an organization that has demonstrated a long-term commitment to Safe Kids Kansas and to the children of Kansas in the areas of child passenger safety, pedestrian safety and bicycle safety - the Kansas Department of Transportation. This organization has consistently provided financial support for the bicycle helmet distribution program and Kansas Walk to School Day. This year support was also provided to expand the Bucks for Buckles program. The Fatality Reduction Initiative by Transportation Secretary Deb Miller, which began this year, promises to improve the safety of all Kansans.

The Outstanding Coalition Member Award is the highest award given by Safe Kids Kansas and is presented for outstanding service to the Coalition and to Kansas children in the interest of childhood injury prevention by an individual member of the Coalition. The award was given this year to an individual who has demonstrated her dedication Safe Kids Kansas, Elena Nuss of the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office. Elena has served as chair of the Coalition and Executive Board for the past three years. Her involvement and leadership in the Coalition over the past five years contributed toward Safe Kids Kansas receiving the Coalition of the Year Award from National Safe Kids in 2004.

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Emporia, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.

www.kansassafekids.org