The Automotive Safety for Children (ASP) Program at the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital in Indianapolis was founded by Marilyn Bull in 1981 to function as a model car seat loan program with the mission to train educators throughout the state to establish and maintain car seat loan programs. Since that time, the ASP has grown substantially, while assuming a strong leadership role statewide as an advocacy program for all aspects of child passenger safety. Using a wide variety of creative education and public information strategies, the program has been able to reach audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and needs.

Nationally, the Automotive Safety Program has achieved honor and recognition for its leadership in the field of transporting children with special health care needs. It has conducted research to evaluate restraint systems appropriate for children with disabilities; assisted with the development of child restraint systems; published manuscripts; and designed curriculum to address the transportation needs of medically fragile children.

The Automotive Safety Program's efforts on behalf of all children have not gone unnoticed. In the fall of 2004, the Automotive Safety Program was awarded $1.5 million from Kohl's Cares for Kids to fund the Kohl's Center for Safe Transportation of Children, and signed a cooperative agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish the National Program for the Safe Transport of Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Additional information about the program and the services it offers can be obtained by calling
1-800-KID-N-CAR or by visiting www.preventinjury.org.