Community Education receives statewide safety award

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education is receiving statewide recognition for its “Safe Seats Safe Kids” program, according to a news release from the organization.

The program has been named the 2026 Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards Team of the Year by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.

The statewide award recognizes child passenger safety partners who help protect young passengers through education, outreach and the promotion of proper child restraint and booster seat use.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor for our organization and our community,” said DeLanna Williams, executive director of Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education. “Every seat we inspect represents a child whose safety has been improved because a parent or caregiver chose to learn. This award belongs not only to our certified technicians but also to the many community partners who have invested in making this program possible.”

The organization will receive the award during the Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 19, in Lexington.

“Safe Seats Safe Kids” began in 2024 as a collaboration with Butler County Community Education. The program provides families with free child passenger safety education and car seat inspections.

Since the program began, certified child passenger safety technicians have inspected 208 child safety seats. According to Buckle Up for Life, only one in four child safety seats in the United States is installed correctly.

Community Education hopes to eventually establish a permanent child passenger safety inspection station.

For more information about the program or to schedule an inspection, contact Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education at 270-842-4281 or visit commed.us.