Car Seats for Underserved Families

---

We accept referrals for free car seats for families from social service providers who have already identified underserved families. Therefore, we trust your judgment on whether a family is in need of a car seat and cannot afford to purchase one on their own. There are no additional qualifications.

In order to serve as many families a possible, we do limit the distributions to one seat per child. If we provided two seats for a child to use in the second family vehicle, that would leave one less car seat for a child who has no car seat. 

Yes, unless the family is pregnant, having the child present at the event is crucial to the selection of the appropriate type of car seat that fits the child and so our team can teach the family how to properly secure the child in the seat. We recommend families borrow a car seat to transport the child to the event or travel by public transportation. If the child cannot be safely transported to the event, please contact us at info@safekidsmaine.org or (207) 830-1123 or alternate options.

We are primarily distributing convertible car seats, combination car seats, and booster seats but we have the flexibility to order other types of seats for families in unique situations. For example, if a family is expecting a baby and does not have their own transportation or has multiple children, a rear-facing only infant car seat (with a carrying handle) may be a better option for them for easier and safer transport of the child. However, because a rear-facing only car seat may only fit the child from birth to approximately age one, providing this type of seat places the family in need of another car seat in a short time, which we may not be able to provide (depending upon funding and inventory).

Yes! It is very important that families arrive at the hospital to deliver their baby with a car seat. While some hospitals have an internal program to provide car seats for families in need, their resources are limited and there is never a guarantee that they will receive a seat. We want this program to help take the strain off from other programs by providing a car seat before the baby is born. Ideally, we would like to schedule their appointment 30 days before their due date to ensure that the education they receive is timely. Please keep their due date in mind when you schedule their appointment.

Just go to www.safekidsmaine.org and click on the link in the upper right-hand corner of the website titled ‘Car Seat Referral’. If you are accessing the website on a mobile device, click on the three horizontal lines in the upper right-hand corner to access the link. Please complete the appointment information with as much detail as you can so we can properly prepare for the family. You are welcome to accompany the family to the appointment.

Yes, appointments are required so that we can bring the appropriate number and type of car seats for the families and staff the event with enough Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. If the appointment slots are full, please do not send families to the event without an appointment. Please do not scheduled a regular seat check appointments through the ‘Car Seat Inspection Appointments’ link on our website because those appointments are for families who already have their own car seats and want to learn how to use it correctly. Use on the ‘Car Seat Referrals’ link on our website please.

Yes, regardless of how they transport their child (family & friends, taxis, rideshare, etc.), if they do not have and cannot afford a car seat for their child, we can help! We have a vehicle demonstrator seat at the event to educate them on how to properly install and use the car seat so a vehicle is not needed at the event.

Yes! We are partnering with MaineHealth to have access to interpreter services during the event so we can eliminate that barrier and provide the education the families need as they learn to properly transport their children. When the service is not available, we will have a translation device available at all of our events. We will also have printed material at the event in multiple languages.

Unfortunately no. The South Portland Fire Department (and most fire departments in Maine) does NOT have any Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on staff so they cannot check car seats nor will they have any car seats on site to distribute. They are simply allowing us to use their indoor space so that we can conduct the event year-round regardless of the weather. We bring our team and equipment to each event. 

Absolutely! We want to help as many underserved families that we can!

The intent of our program is not only to provide new car seats to those who cannot afford to purchase their own, but also to educate families on the proper selection, harnessing, and installation of their car seats. This involves a 30 to 45 minute hands-on learning experience. It is not a car seat pick up site. It is imperative that the parents/caregivers of the child are the ones that attend the appointment. If there are extenuating circumstances that prohibit the parents from attending, please contact us to discuss other potential options: info@safekidsmaine.org, (207) 830-1123.

If there is any question about whether they may need a new car seat or not, please schedule an appointment. If their current car seat is appropriate for the child, we will ensure that it is being used correctly and will let them know when it is time for a new car seat. Please keep in mind that the program provides one car seat per child, per family. We are unable to provide secondary car seats for other vehicles. This helps us provide more seats to children who have none.

Yes! The monthly South Portland Car Seat Inspection Station and other community car seat checks are open to the public and are not just for seat distributions. We encourage all parents and caregivers who transport children to attend an event to have their car seats, booster seats, and seat belts checked. With over 90% of children in Maine being transported unsafely in the car, everyone will benefit from this service.

The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety funds several car seat distribution sites throughout the state. To learn more about their program and locations, please visit https://www.maine.gov/dps/bhs/safety-programs/child-passenger-safety/car-seat-distribution-locations  

We cannot complete this important work without organizations like yours! Here are some ways you can help:

• During family interactions, always consider the transportation needs of the family and make the appropriate referrals.

• Share our information with other providers and organizations to help further the reach and serve more families.

• Volunteer at an event to help with set up/clean up, interpreter services, child care, etc.

• Consider becoming a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

• Sponsor workshops and classes for child passenger safety awareness.

• Notify us about any funding opportunities for program growth and sustainability!

You may email us at info@safekidsmaine.or or call / text (207) 830-1123. We are happy to answer any additional questions or help you in any way that we can!