Trauma is no accident! Injury prevention focuses on potential injury patterns and promotes or implements these programs to educate the community about preventable injuries. The goal is not only to lead a safe and healthy lifestyle, but to also decrease the number of trauma admissions to the Emergency Room. Programs currently available to the community are listed below. 

Child Passenger Safety
The St. Cloud Area Child Passenger Safety collaborative offers free car seat checks for parents who are looking for education and correct fit of their child’s car seat.
Learn more about the program and view dates of upcoming car seat checks

Concussion Prevention
For the safety of our athletes and further prevention of concussions, effective September 1st, 2011 a new law in Minnesota has required all coaches and officials (public and private) to be trained in identifying concussions. In order to accommodate the regulations of the State, the Centers for Disease Control has created a prevention tool called Heads Up. The program was developed to identify and educate our athletes, parents and coaches on Concussions in Youth Sports. The program provides online training for coaches, as well as a number of printable resources for athletes and their parents. Please take the time to thoroughly review this information so athletes who experience a concussion can be managed appropriately and return to play safely.
Learn more about how to recognize and treat a concussion
Learn more about the Heads Up program

Central Minnesota Fall Prevention and Home Safety Coalition
RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), a department of the City of St. Cloud, works with St. Cloud Hospital, Gold Cross Ambulance, St. Cloud Fire Department, St. Cloud Police Department, Central Minnesota Council on Aging and Spot Rehab to provide a falls prevention program for area seniors. Trained volunteers provide free in-home safety assessments for seniors who live independently.
Learn more about the Falls Prevention Program

Helmet Smart Program
The Helmet Smart Program is located at the Whitney Recreation Center and provides multi-sport helmets to the public at a reduced rate of $10 for children up to age 18 and $15 for those 18 and older. If you would like to purchase a helmet for you or your child, please contact the Whitney Recreation Center at (320) 255-7277. All helmets are Snell and CPSC certified.
Visit SafeKidsUSA to learn more about winter sport-specific helmets

Matter of Balance (MOB) Course
Matter of Balance is a successful evidence-based program for older adults. Participants demonstrate significant improvements after completing the course in their level of falls management, falls control, level of exercise and social limitations with regard to concerns about falling.
Visit Healthy Aging Minnesota to learn more about the Matter of Balance Course
Find Matter of Balance Course dates in your area

Sessions include:
1. Introduction to the Program
2. Exploring Thoughts and Concerns about Falling
3. Exercise and Fall Prevention
4. Assertiveness and Fall Prevention
5. Managing Concerns about Falling
6. Recognizing Fall-ty Behavior
7. Recognizing Fall Hazards in the Home and Community
8. Practicing No Fall-ty Habits and Fall Prevention: Putting It All Together

Teen Driving Awareness Program
Parents of young drivers have the opportunity to expose them to a variety of driving conditions and scenarios in a controlled setting. The Teen Driving Skills and Parent Awareness Class takes place every other month at the Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center.
For more information and registration, go to Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center
Learn more about the Teen Driving Awareness Program (PDF)

Toward Zero Deaths Conference
This conference provides a forum for sharing information on best practices in engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency medical/health services and for identifying new approaches to reducing the number of traffic fatalities and life-changing injuries on Minnesota roads. This year the Injury Prevention Specialist will be teaming up with a variety of individuals who focus on road safety, as well as presenting the EVERYTIME program during the outbreak session titled Saving Minnesota’s Youth. Please stay tuned for upcoming event information and registration.
Learn more about the Toward Zero Deaths Conference

Please contact the Injury Prevention / Data Specialist at (320) 251-2700, ext. 53807 with any questions regarding the current injury prevention programs and how they may benefit you or your organization.