ThinkFirst Navajo Debuts “Buckle Up Navajo Newborns” Program and Donates 50 Car Seats to the Navajo Nation

Published July 14, 2019

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives is proud to announce that its flagship program — ThinkFirst Navajo — has launched a new injury prevention initiative called “Buckle Up Navajo Newborns.” Last week, 50 high-end car seats, purchased by Eve’s Fund, were delivered to the Navajo Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division.

Previous published news articles have highlighted the fact that one of highest child mortality rates in the country is on the Navajo Nation with the leading cause of preventable deaths for children coming from motor vehicle crashes.

According to the Navajo Nation Department of Transportation, only 27 to 30 percent of children are put in car seats or booster seats. Furthermore, given the large size and rural nature of the Navajo Nation and limited number of police officers, law enforcement is nearly impossible.

“So many deaths and injuries of Navajo infants and young children could be prevented just by buckling them up safely in car seats,” said Eve’s Fund president, Barbara Crowell Roy, “and now there can be no excuse not to do so. We are committed to trying to raise enough funds so that every Navajo newborn can be put in a sturdy car seat. The seats we are purchasing will work for newborns up to children weighing 65 pounds, so parents with limited resources and access won’t have to keep buying new seats as their child grows. “

Jodee Dennison, director of ThinkFirst Navajo, emphasizes that mothers who receive the car seats must be trained by special trainers and notes statistics, which show that up to 75 percent of car seats, are not properly installed.

Norma Bowman, program manager of the Navajo Department of Highway Safety said, “It is a huge benefit when organizations such as Eve’s Fund reach out to assist our traffic safety efforts on Navajo, and we are grateful for this partnership and collaborative effort. Our department, with our staff of National Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians, will provide the necessary educational resources to ensure that children are properly restrained and receive hands-on instruction for the various stages of their child restraint use. All expectant mothers and anyone else in need of car seats should call: 505.371.8326.”