Injury Free Coalition for Kids of St. Louis

The St. Louis Children's Hospital Injury Prevention Coalition was created in September 1995. The Harlem Injury Prevention Project served as a model for the injury prevention activities of the St. Louis Coalition. Two types of programs were constructed: community-based injury prevention education and programs that provide safe and constructive activities and/or safe environments in which children can live and play.

Since 1995, educational programming such as Injury Prevention and Wellness Educational Modules for parents and children, Burn Safety with the help of the Burn Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Violence Prevention, and Smoke Detector Installation with the St. Louis City Fire Department has increased our exposure and commitment to the community's safety. Safe activities/safe environment programming included the In-House Art Project and the St. Louis Children's Hospital Safe Playground Project which constructed over 30 St. Louis playgrounds. In 2006, the Coalition constructed an All-Inclusive Playground at Tilles Park.

Our past successes in providing safe programming/safe environments have paved the way for current innovation. Our existing programs continue to provide strategies for keeping kids safe. Along with being the only ACS verified Level I Trauma Center in Missouri and Illinois, St. Louis Children's Hospital promotes the following programs:

Safety Street – This program offers:

• A mobile, interactive neighborhood setting where kids practice pedestrian safety
• A classroom lesson
• Home, pedestrian and passenger safety, stranger awareness, stray animal awareness, playground safety and water safety
• Target: Schools and community organizations / Ages 4-11

Safety Stop – This program offers:

• Free education about car seat, bicycle and home safety
• Help from a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician
• Sale of reduced-priced car seats, helmets and home safety products
• In-patient car seat program
• Target: Parents and caregivers

Sophie's KISS – This program offers:

• Education to parents about the risks of hyperthermia (overheating)
• Simple tips and tools to prevent similar accidents
• Easy tips and a free tool to remind you never to leave your child alone in the vehicle
• Target: Parents and caregivers

St. Louis Directors

• Lindsay Davidson Clukies, MD, FAAP
• Lori Beck MSN, RN, CPEN, TNS

[show all staff]

Contact Info

Nicole Kozma, MPH
Director, Outreach Programs
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
One Children’s Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: 314-286-0969
Email: Nicole.Kozma@bjc.org

Michele Herndon, MSN, RN, CPEN, TCRN, TNS
Manager, Trauma Services & EMS Outreach
St. Louis Children's Hospital
One Children’s Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Main Trauma Services phone: 314-454-2631
Cell phone: 314-659-0051
Email: Michele.Herndon@bjc.org


Lori Beck MSN, RN, CPEN, TNS
Trauma Nurse Coordinator
St. Louis Children's Hospital
One Children’s Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Cell: (314)-305-8621
Email: Lori.Beck@bjc.org