THINK FIRST, is a National Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program. It is an award-winning public education effort which targets teens and young adults. The mission of the THINK FIRST Foundation is to prevent brain and spinal cord injuries through the education of individuals, community leaders and the creators of public policy.

Developed and funded by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons, it is presented at no charge in middle schools and senior high schools. The upbeat program focuses on adolescence, and educates young people about personal vulnerability and risk taking.

The message is that you can have a fun, exciting life, and you can do it without hurting yourself if you THINK FIRST and use your mind to protect your body. The program includes a video, a brief lesson on the brain and spinal cord, and concludes with a paraplegic person discussing the difficulty of living with their injuries. To date, THINK FIRST has provided programs to over 4,300 students.

THINK FIRST FOR KIDS, an extension of the THINK FIRST program, was developed to increase knowledge and awareness among elementary school children about the causes and consequences of brain and spinal cord injury. The curriculum, augmented by a video, comics, and posters, was designed to help students learn safety messages and form safety habits for life.

Through volunteer efforts, this program began in three elementary schools and was offered to 470 students, ages 6 thru 9, in the 1996-1997 school year. The program has continued and is now offered in 5 elementary schools.

The program focuses on vehicular and bicycle safety, safety around weapons, playground, recreation, sports safety, and water safety. Children are introduced to "Street Smart" the Safety Super Hero, who teaches them you can still have fun while being safe.

In 3 years, over 1,300 students have heard the THINK FIRST Message and have participated in the 6 unit program. Bike helmets were also provided for at-risk kids, with 53 helmets distributed in 1999, and 186 helmets in the year 2000.

The National Safe Kids Campaign is the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury, the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. The campaign is comprised of more than 260 state and local SAFE KIDS Coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore are honorary chairpersons, and the former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., is chairman of the Campaign.

The Safe Kids Campaign has developed and implemented programs emphasizing bike helmet and bike safety awareness, scald burn prevention, residential fire detection, and child passenger safety. Focus has also been placed on motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian injuries, drowning, poisoning, choking, unintentional shootings, and falls. During the past fiscal year, Safe Kids programs throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula have provided 10 Car Seat Check Events involving 830 adults and kids. 325 seats were checked and 184 new car seats were provided. 32 Gun Safety programs were provided to 414 children in Marquette County. Safe Kids collaborates with parents, firefighters, hospitals, law enforcement, private businesses and public health agencies to deliver its safety message.

CAMP 911 exists because many children don't know what to do if they encounter someone needing help. This UPPS-sponsored program began in Alger County in 1997 with a one-time grant from OHSP. Since then UPPS has provided training for EMT's to promote the program throughout other counties. CAMP 911 programs are now included in Alger, Marquette, Baraga, Keweenaw-Houghton, Delta, and Dickinson counties.

CAMP 911 is a free program taught by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel that introduces 6th graders to injury prevention, bystander care, and career opportunities within EMS. Each camp provides this 2-day training for 30-60 youth each summer.

Campers learn why safety devices such as seat belts, airbags and bicycle helmets are important . Local safety organizations conduct activities and demonstrations which teach how to aid accident victims. Every camper tests their skill in the safety obstacle course.

CAMP 911 is funded through local agencies, organizations and businesses.

COOL CATS is a bicycle helmet educational program aimed at children ages 3-5. Cool Cat is a Super Hero who explains to the children why they should wear helmets.

UPPS also promotes
other safety programs such as:

Seat Belt Safety & Car Seat Checks
Educational presentations, booths, and displays
Bike Rodeos

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ON THE HORIZON

SPORTS SAFETY

Sports Safety is a prevention program targeted at parents, athletes, and coaches to help reduce the number of sports-related injuries. The goal of the program is to promote playing smart and safe sports.

Snowmobile Safety is a newly-developed program aimed at reducing the number of snowmobile injuries by promoting safety habits and smart choices while riding. Take the Sledder's Pledge now!

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For information on volunteering, presentations, donations or memorials, contact the Upper Peninsula Partnerships For Safety at (906) 228-3038 or via E-Mail.

Upper Peninsula Partnerships for Safety
712 Chippewa Square, Suite 202
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-3038

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