Ensuring the safety of your child while traveling is paramount, and car seats play a crucial role in achieving this. For families in Ohio who are part of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program or are income-eligible, accessing a safe car seat might be more attainable than you think. This article delves into the WIC Free Car Seat Program in Ohio, specifically focusing on Stark County, to help you understand the eligibility, process, and benefits of this vital initiative.
Eligibility for the WIC Free Car Seat Program in Ohio
To qualify for the free car seat program in Stark County, Ohio, there are specific requirements that families need to meet. These criteria are designed to ensure that the program reaches those who are most in need of assistance with child passenger safety. The requirements are as follows:
- Residency in Stark County: Applicants must be residents of Stark County in Ohio to be eligible for this local program.
- Pregnancy or Child Age: The program is open to pregnant individuals who are at least 32 weeks into their pregnancy and parents or guardians of children from birth up to 8 years old. This wide age range ensures support from infancy through early childhood.
- WIC or Medicaid Participation: Participants in the WIC program or those who are income-eligible for WIC or Medicaid automatically meet this requirement, highlighting the program’s focus on supporting low-income families.
- Internet Access: Access to a laptop, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection is necessary. This is because the required car seat safety education is delivered online.
- Car Seat Pick-up: Applicants must be able to pick up the car seat from the designated Canton office located at 1718 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44703. This in-person pick-up ensures that families receive the correct seat and can ask any questions.
.png)
Families meeting these requirements are eligible to receive one car seat per child every five years. This duration acknowledges the lifespan and usage guidelines of car seats, ensuring children are always in appropriately sized and safe seats.
How to Enroll in the Free Car Seat Program
The process to receive a free car seat involves a mandatory online educational session, emphasizing the importance of car seat safety and proper installation. This course, titled “Car Seat Basics,” is self-paced and can be completed online at your convenience.
To begin the enrollment process, you need to contact Jenna directly at 1-877-691-8521. She will guide you through the sign-up process and provide all necessary information to access the online course.
A small donation of $15 is requested for the car seat. This nominal fee helps to sustain the program and is payable on the day you pick up your car seat after completing the online course.
Common Questions About the Program:
- Do I have to bring my child? It is highly recommended to bring your child when you pick up the car seat. This allows program staff to properly fit the car seat to your child, ensuring maximum safety and comfort.
- How much is the donation for a car seat? A $15 donation is requested and is payable when you pick up your car seat.
Car Seat Options Available Through the Program
The WIC Free Car Seat Program in Ohio offers two types of Evenflo car seats to accommodate different stages of childhood:
-
Evenflo Convertible Car Seat:
- Rear-facing: Suitable for infants and smaller toddlers weighing between 5lbs to 40lbs.
- Forward-facing: Appropriate for toddlers and older children weighing between 40lbs to 65lbs.
- Convertible car seats are versatile, growing with your child from infancy to toddlerhood, offering extended use and value.
-
Evenflo Highback Booster Car Seat:
- Designed for older children weighing between 40lbs to 120lbs and who are between 44 inches to 57 inches in height.
- Booster seats are essential for transitioning children from car seats to seat belts, ensuring the vehicle’s seat belt fits correctly and safely.
Ohio Car Seat Law: What You Need to Know
Ohio law mandates car seat usage for children from birth to 8 years old, or unless the child is at least 4’9″ tall. The law emphasizes using a car seat that is appropriate for the child’s age and size, and that adheres to federal motor vehicle safety standards. Correct car seat usage is not just a legal requirement but a critical safety measure.
Children aged 8-15 years are required to use seat belts. It’s also mandatory for all vehicles to be equipped with seat belts, and everyone in the vehicle must use them.
Noncompliance with Ohio’s car seat law can result in a $25 fine for a first-time offense, with potential jail time for subsequent offenses, underscoring the seriousness of child passenger safety in Ohio.
Ohio Buckles Buckeyes: Funding Child Passenger Safety
The Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program is instrumental in funding initiatives like the WIC Free Car Seat Program. Fines collected from violations of child restraint laws in Ohio are channeled into this program. Overseen by the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Buckles Buckeyes supports occupant protection education and provides car seats to families in need across the state.
Each county in Ohio receives a designated number of car seats periodically throughout the year, which are then distributed to eligible families, such as those in Stark County participating in the WIC program or meeting income eligibility criteria. This system ensures that resources are directed to communities and families where they can make the most significant impact on child safety.
By participating in the WIC Free Car Seat Program in Ohio, families not only gain access to a free car seat but also receive crucial education on child passenger safety, contributing to safer travels for children in Stark County and beyond. Contact Jenna today to take the first step towards securing your child’s safety on the road.
