2026 CHNA Implementation Strategy

Community Need

The 2025 CHNA identified child safety and risk prevention as a significant concern, including child abuse and neglect, caregiver substance use, firearm-related injuries, suicide risk, excessive screen time and social media exposure, and lack of safe supervision. Children’s will address these risks through statewide injury prevention, parent and caregiver education, school readiness initiatives, poison prevention, abuse prevention education, safe transportation programming, firearm safe storage education, and partnerships with schools, public agencies, law enforcement, healthcare organizations, and community groups.

Children’s has a long-standing statewide role in child injury prevention, safety education, poison prevention, school nurse education, abuse prevention, and family education. Through HESC, APIC, CHIPS and community partnerships, Children’s can reduce preventable injury risk, equip caregivers and schools, and promote safer home, school, transportation, and community environments.

Children’s Role

Strategic Response Children’s will address child safety and risk prevention through a strategy focused on: • preventing avoidable injuries through education and environmental safety supports; • strengthening parent and caregiver education; • promoting safe transportation practices; • improving school and community readiness for emergencies; • advancing firearm safe storage education; • preventing poisoning, substance-related harm, and vaping/tobacco-related risks; • strengthen parent and caregiver education on practical safety behaviors, injury prevention, safe storage, poison prevention, substance/vaping risks, and supervision; • supporting prevention and education related to abuse and neglect.

CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY