Pathways to Prevention
About the Program
With the high volume of preventable trauma-related youth accidents and deaths each year in the United States, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare has implemented Pathways to Prevention, an injury prevention program designed for local schools to educate children and young adults about the dangers of trauma-related accidents.
Choices Can Have a Lifetime Impact
“Our ultimate goal is to prevent future occurrences by being a resource to students and by fostering the understanding that choices made in an instance can have a lifetime impact,” said Kim Boyer, service line administrator for Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Services.
Learning Experiences
The program includes two separate learning experiences, Operation Awareness Presentations and Operation Distraction Events, which are customized for all age groups throughout elementary, middle and high schools.
Awareness for All Schools
Operation Awareness Presentations feature a detailed overview of prevention information and can include interactive activities and a question and answer session. The presentation topics can highlight a range of safety practices, based on preference and the student’s age, including ATV safety, bicycle safety, concussions, crossing the street, distracted driving, diving, drugs, falls, horseplay, skateboard safety, sports injuries, underage drinking and more.
Awareness for Middle Schools and High Schools
Operation Distraction Events, focusing on the results of drinking and driving or texting and driving, include a simulated car accident with an actual crash site. The events are coordinated with local law enforcement, fire departments and emergency medical services to create a realistic experience.
