Missouri Safe and Sober Program
SAFE AND SOBER is a non-profit organization, under the Mercy Health Foundation-Springfield, which creates awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and encourages teens to lead a safe and sober lifestyle. After watching a video presentation of the tragic effects drinking can have on their friends, families, and their future, students take a pledge -a written commitment- to stay drug and alcohol free until they are 21 years old.
Distracted Driving Kills
In October 2011, the Missouri State PTA delegates approved the resolution “Distracted Driving”. The facts are clear. Distracted driving is a dangerous activity that kills many Missourians each year. These alarming statistics were published recently on distraction.gov, a government website dedicated to reducing distracted driving:
• In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction, and an estimated 448,000 were injured.
• 16% of fatal crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
• 20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
• Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported. In 2009, 16% of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were reported to have been distracted.
• Distracted Driving is the number one killer of American teens.
Take a few minutes and watch the following video about a fatal distracted driving accident. Ask your teen driver, or even your child that is too young to drive, to watch the video with you. Promise your child that you will not use your cell phone while you are driving and ask them to do the same. A life isn’t as important as the urge to text or call. Be an example for your child. Make the promise and then follow through. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwAUkh_7pKA
Safe Routes for Kids
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national and international movement to create safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to and from schools. The program has been designed to reverse the decline in children walking and bicycling to schools. Safe Routes to School can also play a critical role in reversing the alarming nationwide trend toward childhood obesity and inactivity.
PTA's Stand Against Child Abuse
Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children. In 2009, approximately 3.3 million child abuse reports and allegations were made involving an estimated 6 million children. Child abuse can take many forms and includes neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and medical neglect. The repercussions of all types of abuse are life altering and lifelong.
