First Impact Program Expands Reach to Younger Drivers and Schools Across Missouri
The First Impact program, operated through the ThinkFirst Missouri office, is a vital part of the state’s effort to reduce teen motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. Historically focused on educating new teen drivers and their parents, First Impact is now expanding its reach, emphasizing early intervention with even younger audiences and forming strategic partnerships across Missouri.
One of the key developments in this expansion involves reaching out to middle school students through interactive presentations in health and physical education classes. These sessions aim to plant the seeds of safe driving habits before students reach driving age. By engaging youth early, the program helps them begin to internalize important concepts around responsibility, distraction-free driving, and seatbelt use—long before they get behind the wheel.
The ThinkFirst Missouri team is also working closely with local school districts to integrate First Impact programming into school curricula. Several districts are already on board, with others expressing strong interest. These partnerships help embed the message of injury prevention and safe driving within the educational environment, reinforcing its importance through consistent exposure.
In addition to its school-based efforts, First Impact continues to host parent-teen driver education presentations in communities across the state. These events are designed to equip parents with tools and strategies to support their teen drivers and encourage open communication around driving risks and responsibilities.
As the program continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to prevent injury and save lives by empowering Missouri’s youth and families with the knowledge and tools they need to make safe driving decisions.
For more information or to bring First Impact to your school or community, visit First Impact's website.
Get Involved: Building Healthy Communities Through ECHO
For those interested in expanding their knowledge on community-based approaches to injury prevention and youth wellness, the Building Healthy Communities ECHO is an excellent opportunity. Part of the Show-Me ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) initiative, this interactive learning network brings together professionals from across Missouri to collaborate, learn, and apply best practices in building safer, healthier communities.
The Building Healthy Communities ECHO focuses on cross-sector topics like traffic safety, violence prevention, mental health, and public health partnerships. It’s an excellent resource for school personnel, healthcare providers, public health professionals, and community advocates who are passionate about making a lasting impact.
By participating in this ECHO, attendees not only gain access to expert-led sessions and real-world case discussions but also become part of a supportive network driving positive change across the state.
To register or learn more, visit showmeecho.org.