Our Educational Programs

ThinkFirst of the Ark-La-Tex, in conjunction with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, conducts the ThinkFirst for Teens Assembly.  Teenagers and young adults learn about the dire consequences of poor decisions in motor vehicles and lifelong effects of traumatic injury. The areas of focus are:

1. An educator discusses the anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord and the effects of traumatic injury to themselves and others.
2. A powerful film documenting the consequences of distracted driving is shown.
3. A Voice for Injury Prevention (VIP) speaker discusses the traumatic injury they experienced and how it could have been prevented.  This presentation provides an honest discussion of disability and the results of poor choices.
4. Short video clips are shown describing what happens when safety belts are not used and the consequences of distracted driving.
5. A time is given for questions by students and teachers. 

Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death among children age one and older, with many survivors enduring the consequences of brain and spinal cord injuries. The physical, emotional, psychological and learning problems that affect injured children, along with the associated costs, make reducing traumatic injuries a high priority for health and safety advocates throughout the nation. 

ThinkFirst For Kids was developed through a collaborative effort of the ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Peace Education Foundation, educators and professionals from the fields of psychology and psychiatry. The goal of the program is to increase knowledge and awareness of the causes and risk factors of brain and spinal cord injury, injury prevention measures, and the use of safety habits at an early age. Curricula and presentations are available for grades 1 through 3, and may also be adapted for Kindergarten and pre-K students. Topics include protecting your brain and spinal cord, vehicle and bus safety, bicycle and pedestrian safety, playground safety, water safety and violence prevention. Curricula includes objectives and information for presenting lessons, worksheets, parent letters and family worksheets, the delightful 'Street Smart' animated video (available in English, French and Spanish), and cartoon lesson sheets to color of 'Street Smart' and his friends.

Local ThinkFirst chapters also offer assembly or classroom presentations by a health educator to augment the ThinkFirst For Kids curricula program.

Our adult continuing education program reinforces the ThinkFirst message to colleges, churches, community groups, corporate organizations and senior citizen facilities. This program includes discussions on:

1. The anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord and the effects of traumatic injury.
2. Statistics that show adults ways to protect themselves and their families in home safety, driving habits and road safety. 

"I thought that it was very powerful and made a big impact on the way I look at driving.  It has motivated me to always wear my seat belt and know that what I do on the road affects those around me."

-- Airline High School Student

"Thank you for coming and sharing with our students.  I have been known to talk on my cell and sometimes try to read emails or Facebook while at the red light - but after hearing these moving and real stories, I've made a commitment to no more phone usage while driving in a car.  Please keep sharing your story.  If even one student is impacted, it's worth it."

-- Byrd High School Teacher