Safe Kids Worldwide honors Griffin Health for child safety leadership

Safe Kids Worldwide President Torine Creppy, center, presents Griffin Health Community Outreach Special Programs Supervisor Cathi Kellett and Griffin Health Executive Vice President and COO Todd Liu with the Safe Kids Champion for Children Award.

DERBY – Griffin Hospital was recently honored with the Safe Kids Champion for Children Award at the Safe Kids Worldwide International Childhood Injury Prevention Convention (PrevCon) for its outstanding contributions toward preventing childhood injuries.

“Griffin Health is honored to be recognized by Safe Kids Worldwide, which has been an international leader advancing the health and wellbeing of children through its advocacy and programmatic support,” said Griffin Health Executive Vice President and COO Todd Liu. “We are gratified by this award and the acknowledgement of the work being done by Griffin’s many caregivers to fulfill our commitment to provide education and services that advance the safety of all individuals in our community.”

The Safe Kids Champion for Children Award recognizes an individual, business, government agency, or organization that has made a significant impact in the field of child injury prevention.

The award was presented at the three-day gathering that convened more than 600 child health and safety professionals from around the world, including academic researchers, community activists, health care providers, manufacturers, public health and injury prevention practitioners, and policy makers.

More than 20 individuals and organizations were honored for their leadership in the field.

“Griffin Hospital exemplifies what it means to be a true community partner, combining data, strategy, and compassion to make families safer,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide. “We are honored to work with Griffin’s amazing team to advance our shared goal of reducing the risk of preventable injuries to kids.”

Located in Connecticut’s Greater Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital implements evidence-based initiatives such as their Walking School Bus and safe sleep education programs to meet families where they are. Their ongoing commitment to innovation and outreach is improving health outcomes in the community.

“We're humbled to receive this recognition from the nation's largest injury prevention organization," said Cathi Kellett, Griffin Health Community Outreach Special Programs supervisor and Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley coalition coordinator. "As part of Griffin's person-centered care, we truly believe that empowering both children and adults with knowledge and tools in a learning-through-play approach helps keeps kids healthy and safe. Our commitment to our community is at the core of everything we do and we are so grateful that our community is so receptive and supportive.

PrevCon is one of the largest gatherings of individuals and organizations dedicated to childhood injury prevention. Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable.

About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to reduce unintentional injuries to children ages 0-14 and build equitable and sustained systems that support injury prevention. Since 1988, Safe Kids and its partners have contributed to a more than 60 percent reduction in the rate of fatal childhood unintentional injury in the U.S. Learn more at safekids.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Irving School in Derby hosts safe walking event, honors civil rights icon

Students at Irving School in Derby took part in a walking in foggy conditions activity Thursday as part of the school’s National Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day event./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Irving School joined schools across the state and region Thursday in hosting a safety event to honor a Civil Rights icon.

Students at Irving School celebrated National Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day by listening to a reading I Am Ruby Bridges and participating in safe walking activities. 

This day recognizes the historic event that took place on Nov. 14, 1960, when six-year-old first-grader Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School. 

While Ruby and her family were looking to have access to an education where she could learn in a safe environment and not to make history, her courageous action and historic steps initiated the desegregation of New Orleans’ public schools.

In 2018, a class of AAA School Safety Patrollers from Martin Elementary School in South San Francisco, CA, learned about the civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, and her brave walk to school as she became one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans

With a simple question from one student, “Why isn’t there a day for Ruby?” – an idea was sparked. These young leaders founded Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, with the vision of building a nationwide movement and starting a day of dialogue. 

In 2021, AAA and the Ruby Bridges Foundation partnered to support the Walk to School Day with over 90,000 students across 36 states participating.

The safe walking activities included, a walking school bus, getting a driver’s view from public works vehicles, driving/walking in foggy conditions, and putting on the brakes when pedestrians entering the roadway. 

The event was sponsored by AAA Northeast, Griffin Health Community Outreach, Safe Kids Worldwide, the City of Derby, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Safe Kids Worldwide CEO Torine Creppy attended the event. 

The Ruby Bridges program in Derby was started three years ago by Griffin, AAA, and Irving School to assist students that walk to school. Safe Kids’ focus inclusion and equity compelled the organization to become a sponsor.

“It was an honor and a joy to recognize Ruby Bridges and carry on her legacy of promoting the safety of students as they get to school,” said Cathi Kellett of Griffin Health Community Outreach.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Hospital in Derby, Safe Kids to host session on safe sleep for infants

Griffin Health slates free session on safe sleep./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Safe Kids Worldwide and Griffin Health are helping parents and caregivers of infants sleep a little easier by providing free education on ways to make sure their little ones are snoozing safely.

Griffin will host several free, interactive programs entitled “Safe Sleep for Your Baby” to teach how to reduce the risk of sleep-related causes of infant death. 

The next program will be June 24 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Parents and caregivers will learn about safe sleep practices, and the safe sleep myths and facts for infants under 1 year of age. Door prizes, raffles, and educational materials will be provided.

The sessions are open to anyone expecting a child and anyone caring for an infant under 1 year of age. 

Registration is required by contacting Cathi Kellett at Ckellett@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-1337.

“Seeing a baby sleeping is a precious sight, especially for parents and caregivers who can get very tired caring for an infant,” said Kellett, of Griffin’s Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Department and Coordinator of the Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition. “This grant will allow us to provide simple and effective sleep safety tips, so that parents can create a safe place for babies to sleep and nap.”

Griffin Health partners with Safe Kids as part of its ongoing effort to transform health care by not only treating illness, but also helping people stay healthy. 

Griffin actively empowers individuals to play an active role in their health and wellbeing by providing them with information, tools and support to care for themselves and their loved ones.

According to Safe Kids, unintentional suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death among children under 1 year old. Also, nearly 3,500 infants die each year in the United States because of sleep-related reasons, including entrapment, strangulation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby, Safe Kids to host 'Safe Sleep for Your Baby'

Griffin Health will host “Safe Sleep for Your Baby” Feb. 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Safe Kids Worldwide and Griffin Health are helping parents and caregivers of infants sleep a little easier by providing free education on ways to make sure their little ones are snoozing safely.

Griffin will host several free, interactive programs entitled 'Safe Sleep for Your Baby' to teach how to reduce the risk of sleep-related causes of infant death. 

The programs will be Wednesdays Feb. 26, April 29, May 27, and June 24 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St. 

Parents and caregivers will learn about safe sleep practices, and the safe sleep myths and facts for infants under 1 year of age. Door prizes, raffles, and educational materials will be provided.

The sessions are open to anyone expecting a child and anyone caring for an infant under 1 year of age. 

Registration is required; contact Cathi Kellett at Ckellett@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-1337.

“Seeing a baby sleeping is a precious sight, especially for parents and caregivers who can get very tired caring for an infant,” said Kellett, of Griffin’s Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Department and Coordinator of the Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Coalition. “This grant will allow us to provide simple and effective sleep safety tips, so that parents can create a safe place for babies to sleep and nap.”

Griffin Health partners with Safe Kids as part of its ongoing effort to transform health care by not only treating illness, but also helping people stay healthy. 

Griffin actively empowers individuals to play an active role in their health and well being by providing them with information, tools, and support to care for themselves and their loved ones.

According to Safe Kids, unintentional suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death among children under 1 year old. Also, nearly 3,500 infants die each year in the United States because of sleep-related reasons, including entrapment, strangulation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.