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Outreach, Safety, and Prevention Programs
Dr. Moulton and Dr. Borger actively participate in the education of pre-hospital care providers, pediatric emergency medicine physicians, residents, and medical students. They instruct for the following courses: Boston EMS (Emergency Medicine Services), Boston University Department of Surgery ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support), and Boston University Department of Pediatrics PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support).
- Bike Helmet Program. This program was started in June 1995. It is funded by the Safe Kids coalition (Massachusetts Chapter - Department of Public Health) and the Kids Fund (Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center). The program coordinator is Diana Liacos, PNP in the Division of Pediatric Neurology. Bicycle helmets are made available for a nominal fee ($5) and a written prescription, which is given to each helmetless child admitted after a bicycle accident. The helmets are available in the gift shop at Boston Medical Center (Harrison Campus). Prescriptions are also available through the Neighborhood Health Centers and at locally sponsored bicycle rodeos. Nearly 3,500 helmets have been distributed thus far.
- Injury Prevention Program. This program is funded through the Department of Public Health. The program coordinator at Boston Medical Center is Ellen Freedman. Home visits are made after a child has been injured in the home. An inspection of the home is made and teaching is provided to the parent(s) regarding fire hazards and safety hazards (e.g. electrical cords/outlets, infant walkers, poisons, etc.). The worker supplies some outlet covers, cabinet locks, and discounts on window guards. Contact is made with the landlord to provide window guards and repair screens. The worker provides informational brochures on summer safety, bicycle helmets, rollerblade safety, "Kids Can't Fly", the dangers of five gallon buckets, etc. The car seat program is an important element in injury prevention. Car seats are loaned to families for $20, which includes printed material and a video to view.
- Violence Prevention. This program is funded by a grant from the Department of Public Health. The program coordinator at Boston Medical Center is Ulrich Johnson. This is a community awareness program. Children and young adults who are victims of violence are seen as inpatients to discuss the circumstances of their injuries, violence prevention, repercussions, and coping skills.
- Street Worker Program. This program is funded by Boston Community Services. The program coordinator at Boston Medical Center is Hewitt Joyner, who works closely with the adolescent health clinic at BMC. This is a violence prevention program targeted to street kids. The program emphasizes conflict resolution and avoidance of retaliation. Inpatient visits are made and follow-up is usually in the clinic setting.
- Child Witness to Violence Project. This program was started in 1992. It is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance through the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office; the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance, through the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice; Boston Medical Center; and private foundations. The program coordinator is Betsy Groves, MSW. It is run under the auspices of the Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center. This is a counseling, advocacy, and outreach program that targets young children who witness community and domestic violence. It is staffed by a multi-cultural, multi-lingual staff of social workers, psychologists, early childhood specialists, and a consulting psychiatrist. The premise for this project began with a clinical study in the outpatient pediatric clinic at Boston Medical Center, which found that one in ten children had witnessed a knifing or shooting by the age of six.
To schedule an appointment, please call (617) 414-4841
Pediatric Specialty Group
Surgery
Dowling 2 South, Room 2419
1 Boston Medical Center Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02118
(617) 414-5131
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