National Injury Prevention Foundation Presented by Kipp Ransom, MS, LPC, LIMHP Chapter Director ThinkFirst Madonna 2014 Nebraska Brain Injury Conference

Presenter Disclosures Consultant/ Speakers bureaus No Disclosures. Research funding No Disclosures. Stock ownership/Corporate boards-employment No Disclosures. Off-label uses No Disclosures.

ThinkFirst Mission ThinkFirst: Leading injury prevention through education, research and policy

ThinkFirst History E. Fletcher Eyster, MD (Florida) and Clark Watts, MD, JD, (Missouri) each implemented injury prevention progam’s in their communities 1986: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) directed Watts and Eyster to develop a national program Initially known as the National Head and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program

1988: Received the Presidential Citation for Private Sector Initiatives from President Ronald Reagan 1989: Received the Award for Excellence in Education and Prevention from the American Medical Association’s Adolescent Health Congress

ThinkFirst Vision Through our efforts and dedication, we strive to make ThinkFirst: The world leader in injury prevention education An effective network of people dedicated to injury prevention Capable, with our reputation and tools, to influence public policy at the global, national and local levels

Injury Leading cause of death for ages 1-44 Fifth leading cause of death overall Most are preventable Highest risk groups: ages and 5-14 Brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating, leading to permanent disability and death

ThinkFirst: Theory-based ThinkFirst provides educational programs designed to incorporate all elements of the Health Belief Model, a theory-based health model for attaining behavior change

Health Belief Model Behavior change depends on individuals: Perceiving themselves as susceptible Seeing the problem as serious Being convinced preventive actions are effective and of little cost in money, effort or pain Being exposed to cues or reminders Believing they have the ability to change their behavior

ThinkFirst Programs: Are educational programs presented by – People trained in injury prevention, explaining the cause, effect and prevention of TBI and SCI – VIP speakers (Voices for Injury Prevention) who have experienced a TBI or SCI, help students learn about the realities of traumatic injuries and poor choices Increase understanding of potential for injury, and permanent effects of TBI/SCI Prepare students by teaching them easy options for preventing most injuries

ThinkFirst: Kids ThinkFirst For Kids (TFFK) was developed to increase knowledge and awareness among elementary school children (Grades 1-3) about the causes and consequences of brain and spinal cord injury, injury prevention, and safety habits that reduce the risk of injury.

Programs  ThinkFirst For Kids (Elementary)  Evidence-based curriculum with topics on:  CNS, Playground Safety, Water Safety, Vehicle Safety, Violence, Bicycle Safety  DVD, Worksheets, Coloring, In & Out of Classroom Activities, Community Events  Curriculum increases in difficulty as they matriculate to higher grade levels (K-5)

ThinkFirst For Youth Reinforcement of ThinkFirst messages learned in earlier grades Age-appropriate topics emphasizes the importance of making safe choices Higher level education on the brain, spinal cord and ramifications: if they know how it affects the body, the safety measures become more acceptable

Programs ThinkFirst For Youth (Middle School) – Continuation of aforementioned Topics – Presented in assembly or classroom format Age-appropriate material Brain development Unit on Baby Sitting “Ruler Activity” (Distractions vs non-distracted) Look at a commercial or Magazine ad & identify a hazard….

Programs ThinkFirst For Teens (High School) – VIP Presentations Classrooms Pre-Prom/Homecoming Assemblies Community Events

VIP Speakers: Voices for Injury Prevention Personal stories are the most powerful part of the program Students hear from someone who has actually had a brain or spinal cord injury They hear how their choices, or a perpetrator’s choice, led to a permanent disability Dialogue between students and speakers facilitates increased understanding

ThinkFirst For Teens Research 1989 – Neuwelt et al - Neurosurgery Data from Original Missouri SCI indicated an increase in knowledge and improved attitudes and behavior about SCI in intervention schools compared to control schools – three years after exposure

2007: Gerhardstein, SCI Nursing – TFFT Pre- posttest study of 500 teens – Importance of seatbelt use seen as very important: increased 20% – Stated will always wear seatbelt: increased 23% – Very important to wear helmet on bike: increased 38% – Believe making safe choices is very important: increased 22%

How important do you feel it is for you to wear a helmet?

How often do/will you wear a helmet when riding a bike?

What has influenced you the most about making safe choices?

Starting a Chapter  Determine chapter director and sponsoring physician  Submit chapter application and new chapter fee of $1,500 (includes training, materials)  Schedule chapter director training  Materials will be sent for training  Upon completion of training, sign training completion form and logo agreement form

ThinkFirst Safe Kids Blast (last three years) Wizard of Oz Children’s Museum in Omaha (Sponsored by MRH to promote TBI awareness/safety Sarah Jane Brain Foundation (Bike Helmet Fitting) VIP presentation at McCook Pre-prom Assembly VIP Presentation at Cedar’s Group Home Information LPS Open House

ThinkFirst Purchased a Shaken Baby Simulator Collaboration w/ Children’s Hospital to expand the Shaken Baby (Period of PURPLE Crying) Program Implemented an After School Program with LPS regarding the overview of the CNS, Pedestrian Safety & Bike Safety, Car Seat Safety, Water Safety, Playground Safety

Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital 5401 South Street Lincoln, NE % Dept of Neuropsychology ATTN: Kipp Ransom