ThinkFirst is a nationwide, evidence-based injury prevention program that consists of modules specifically designed for each age group. The mission of ThinkFirst is to prevent brain, spinal cord, and other traumatic injury through education, research, and advocacy. To learn more about the national ThinkFirst Foundation, visit thinkfirst.org.

The Wyoming Department of Health is the only certified ThinkFirst Chapter in Wyoming. They focus on two specific modules: ThinkFirst for Teen Drivers and ThinkFirst for Older Adult Falls. The Wyoming Injury and Violence Prevention Program provides ThinkFirst presentations for these two modules within organizations in Wyoming at no additional cost. If your organization is interested in having a ThinkFirst presentation, contact Wyoming ThinkFirst Chapter Director Jeff Grant at jeff.grant@wyo.gov or call him at 307-640-1005 for more information.

ThinkFirst for Older Adult Falls

ThinkFirst to Prevent Falls educates older adults (or any adult at risk of falls) on how to recognize their fall risk factors and implement strategies to prevent falls. This includes details on home and outdoor safety, what to do if you fall, how to get up, what to do if you can’t get up, vision, medications, exercise, and more. This program is designed to be an introductory program, so it would be appropriate to provide resources for other fall prevention programs and supporting programs, such as exercise classes.

Our Chapter Director provides this presentation to senior centers and nursing homes around the state of Wyoming at no additional cost.

ThinkFirst for Teen Drivers

ThinkFirst for Teen Drivers focuses on the most common risks and dangers facing new teen drivers, such as distracted driving, texting and driving, impaired driving, seat belt use, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and overall driver safety.  The Wyoming Injury and Violence Prevention Program, with funding from the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Behavioral Grants Program, provides one hour, highly impactful presentations to schools and drivers education classes in Wyoming. The Wyoming ThinkFirst Chapter Director has visited and presented to over 6,000 High School students at over 50 high schools and drivers education classes over the last three years.

Data from pre- and post-presentation questionnaires show that the presentation increases student knowledge on driving risks and safety by an average of 63%.