The Solano Car Seat Connection Program provides in-person car seat safety classes and virtual options to increase accessibility for all families. Photo courtesy of iStock

SOLANO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Solano County Health & Social Services Department, Public Health Division, is pleased to announce receipt of a $191,934 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to continue its life-saving child passenger safety efforts through the Solano Car Seat Connection Program.

The grant runs through September 2026 and will continue to support vital program services that work closely with parents and caregivers on teaching proper car seat use and safe installation. Grant funds support car seat safety classes, individual inspection appointments and community-wide checkup events conducted by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians in English and Spanish.

The Solano Car Seat Connection Program provides in-person car seat safety classes and virtual options to increase accessibility for all families. All services are available in both English and Spanish. The classes educate parents and caregivers on best car seat safety practices and current California car seat laws, such as keeping children under the age of two (2) in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or are at least 40 inches tall. 

In early 2026, the program will also host a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Training, providing community members and partner agencies the opportunity to become certified CPS Technicians and help expand access to car seat safety education across Solano County. 

“Offering local CPST certification training is an exciting next step,” said Giselle Salinas Zavala, Health Education Specialist with the Injury Prevention Program. “It will help us strengthen our network of trained technicians and ensure more families across Solano County have access to accurate, up-to-date car seat safety education.”

According to the Office of Traffic Safety, while seat belt use in California is 96.2 percent, 780 unrestrained occupants were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Nearly 60 percent of car seats are used incorrectly nationwide, and local inspections by Certified Technicians suggest that the rate in Solano County is closer to 90 percent.

Together, these numbers highlight why early education on proper car seat and booster seat use is vital, making OTS-funded programs like the Solano Car Seat Connection critical to community safety. They provide car seat inspections, educational classes, car seat distribution to eligible families and technician training. Since 1996, the program has helped thousands of Solano County families ensure their children are safe and secure in vehicles. 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information on the Solano Car Seat Connection, visit About VibeSolano and VibeSolano Classes, both of which are available at solanocounty.gov.