Safe Start

06/02/2026

🌺🗿 Volunteers Needed🗿🌺
HELP US APPEASE THE NDCF KAPU TIKI!

The Safe Start REO Program has been on the road all spring bringing injury prevention education to communities throughout the region. That's the good news.

The bad news? We've been so busy that we're behind on entering our National Digital Check Forms, and the legendary NDCF Kapu Tiki is growing restless. 😬

We're looking for volunteers to join us for a fun, laid-back Data Entry Party!

📅 Thursday, June 11
⏰ 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Safe Start, 3649 N Cederblom, Coeur d'Alene

No experience necessary—we'll show you everything you need to know.

What to expect:
🍍 Snacks and goodies
🌴 Tiki vibes
💻 Simple data entry tasks
🎵 Music and good company
😂 Plenty of laughs

Bring your laptop if you have one, your favorite beachwear, and a "can do" attitude.

Whether you can stay for an hour or the whole event, every bit of help makes a difference and helps us continue providing life-saving education to families throughout our community.

Ready to join the crew? Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2Vz5APrjciSMvXdCSOMA_fUnHlSgyoADyvs69Ka3p4lXQ2Q/viewform

Help us restore peace to the island before the Kapu Tiki demands even more paperwork! 🌺

05/27/2026

Another beautiful trip to Grangeville, ID on May 16th! Thank you Grangeville Community Foundation for providing the funding to ensure your community kids are riding safe!

05/26/2026

We are back in the office after 8 days on the road in Region 2 and ready for a busy week! 💚💙💛

Join us this week for:
✨ Car Seat 101 on Zoom
✨ Safe Sleep 101 on Zoom
✨ Our Mobile Safety Lab will be at the Panhandle Health District Safety Fair on Thursday!

Whether you need education, support, or a safety appointment, we are here for you and your family.

Register for classes and grab an appointment at:
🌐 www.safestartnw.org

Every Child Deserves a Safe Start 💚💙💛

05/25/2026

This Facebook memory popped up today from 14 years ago. Back then, I had been invited to speak to a Lakeland High School child development class about safe sleep and infant safety. Holly was classmates with many of the students in that room, and we shared Mason’s story in hopes that it might make a difference someday.

A few weeks ago, I was at a dental appointment chatting with my hygienist, who is pregnant with her second baby. She knows the work I do with Safe Start, so we were talking about safe sleep and car seat safety. I mentioned that Holly is my daughter, and she got quiet for a moment before saying, “Oh… that means you’re Mason’s mom too.”

She told me she had been in that high school class 14 years ago.

Then she said something I will never forget:
“I’ve never forgotten Mason’s story. Because of that presentation, I’ve always followed safe sleep diligently with my babies.”

I had never mentioned Mason to her before. Yet she remembered him all these years later.

What really struck me is that this conversation happened on April 9th, just days before the anniversary of Mason’s death. Seeing this memory pop up today feels especially meaningful. Honestly, it felt like a message from Mason when I needed it most — a reminder to keep going, to keep teaching, and to trust that his light is still reaching people, even years later.

So often, we share our stories and teach families without ever knowing where those messages end up. We hope parents remember. We hope babies are safer because of it. But most of the time, we never get to see the ripple effect.

Then every once in a while, we get a glimpse.

What struck me most about this conversation was realizing that the students sitting in that classroom 14 years ago are now parents themselves. The babies we were trying to protect back then have grown up, and now they are protecting their own children. In a way, Mason’s story is helping save a second generation of babies.

That is incredibly humbling to think about.

Sometimes we wonder if the hard conversations matter. Then moments like this remind me that Mason’s light is still shining in ways I may never fully see.

Mason’s life still matters. His story still saves lives. 💛

05/20/2026

After spending five days in Region 2, we are now in Boise presenting on Safe Infant Sleep (Liz) and Child Passenger Safety (Brian) at the Idaho State Child Passenger Safety Conference where 125 car seat specialists will be joining us!

05/19/2026

Today's the day! We look forward to serving the Lapwai community at Lapwai Elementary from 11am-4pm. See you there! 🚕

05/19/2026

What a beautiful sunny day! We had so much fun helping kiddos ride and babies sleep safer today!

05/18/2026

Join us in Kooskia or Lapwai for Safe Sleep Story Time this week! Each family receives a Sleep Baby Safe & Snug board book, and new cribs and sleep sacks are available for those in need.

Join us to learn safe sleep practices that help prevent suffocation and other sleep-related infant deaths.

05/18/2026

Today's the day! We look forward to serving the Kooskia community at City Park from 3-6pm. See you there! 🚕

05/17/2026