If you are looking for a free car seat program in Kentucky, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about car seat safety and how to find a free car seat program in Kentucky.
Car seat safety is important for all families, but it is especially important for low-income families who may not be able to afford a car seat. That is why we have put together this guide on finding a free car seat program in Kentucky.
We will also provide you with information on alternative ways of finding a free car seat, as well as the car seat laws in Kentucky. By the end of this article, you will be an expert on finding a free car seat program in Kentucky.
Free car seat programs in Kentucky (2022)
Anthem Medicaid
Anthem Medicaid offers a free car seat program to its enrollees. To be eligible for the program, enrollees must visit their primary care physician or obstetrician/gynecologist at least seven times during their pregnancy. For more information, enrollees can contact Anthem Medicaid at 1-855-690-7784.
Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health offers a free car seat program to help parents and guardians keep their children safe while riding in a car. The program includes lectures and training sessions led by safety technicians.
To participate, parents and guardians must fill out an application form. Once the form is submitted, they can make an appointment with an Owensboro Health agent.
Cornell University Police
Cornell University Police has a government-funded program that is aimed at providing free car seats to members of the Cornell community. Although the availability is limited, you should still check with them by calling (607) 255-7305.
The free car seat program is available to Cornell community members who meet certain income requirements. To verify income, Cornell Police requires participants to be enrolled in specific public assistance programs such as food stamps, Medicaid, DSS, SS and/or WIC.
Cornell Police will provide checks of child safety seats for anyone who makes an appointment, and you do NOT need to be a member of the Cornell community.
They currently have approximately half a dozen certified child safety seat technicians within their Department.
Ashland County Health Department
The Ashland County Health Department also has a free car seat program. To qualify for this program, you must provide documentation like an income statement. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 419-282-4357.
Alternative programs to get a free car seat in Kentucky
The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program is the first place you should check if you’re looking for a free car seat in Kentucky. You may be able to get a voucher for a car seat by taking a short class on car seat safety and usage. If your local WIC office doesn’t have such a program, they may be able to tell you about other local programs or charities that can help you.
If you’re eligible for Medicaid, a free car seat may be covered by your benefits. You can check if you’re eligible for Medicaid by filling out an online application on the Health Insurance Marketplace website. In most cases, Medicaid will require you to take a car seat safety course before they will provide a free car seat.
Buckle Up for Life has donated 61,858 car seats to low-income families across the country. They work with different organizations at a local level to provide resources, education, and training to parents. Families who participate in their child passenger safety classes may be eligible to get a free car seat.
Safe Kids Worldwide is an international organization committed to keeping children safe from injuries. In the United States, Safe Kids has over 400 coalitions and partners. If you need help with car seat installation or finding financial assistance, Safe Kids is a helpful resource.
Safe Kids trains child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) who go through an extensive training on everything related to car seats, including new car seats on the market and ever-changing safety guidelines. To become a CPST, technicians must complete a 40-hour training. You can find and contact your local Safe Kids coalition here.
“211” is a service run by United Way that connects you to your closest 211 call center. 211 is available in all 50 states and is accessible to approximately 334 million people in the United States. This service can help you find resources for things like food, rent assistance, and affordable car seats.
If you’re struggling to find an affordable car seat, your local CPST is a great resource. CPSTs are constantly going through extra training and need to be informed of all car seats on the market. Many police and fire professionals are also certified CPSTs. Even if they aren’t, most police/fire departments have resources needed to help you find the right place to go.
Most insurance companies provide car seats free of charge to insured new mothers or pregnant women. Contact the insurance company (the number should be on your insurance card) and it’s very likely they will cover the cost up to a certain point or directly provide you a car seat.
You can also ask your local church for help, and they will be glad to get you in contact with a charity or institute that provides resources to low-income families.
Hospitals are another possible place to get car seats without any cost. They will either help you or direct you towards some great local resources.
A great source to get a free car seat is your local police station or fire department. These guys are professionally trained, and often they set up programs for the free installation of car seats. They can also help you find new car seats for free as they are familiar with various charities.
What is the car seat law in kentucky?
In Kentucky, any child under one year of age or who weighs 20 pounds or more must be restrained in a rear-facing car seat. A child must remain in a five-point harness car seat until they are 4 years old or weigh 40 pounds. Any child over 57 inches tall or 8 years of age must be secured in a seat belt. You can read more about Kentucky car seat laws here.
Final Thoughts
As we have discussed, there are a few ways to go about finding free car seat programs in Kentucky. We hope that this information has been helpful in your search. If you are unable to find any free car seat programs in Kentucky, we suggest reaching out to your nearest police or fire department. Most of these departments have the resources needed to help you find free car seat programs if your state has any. Thank you for reading and feel free to comment for more information.