FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Loiz, EMS Director
Stratford EMS
203-385-4060
mloiz@townofstratford.com
Stratford EMS designated a Safe Place for Youth
Outreach program provides immediate help and safety for all youth in crisis
SEMS is now a “Safe Place”
Stratford, CT (01/22/2016) – Stratford EMS is now a designated Safe Place. SEMS will display the yellow and black Safe Place sign, which signifies immediate help and safety for youth.
“It is important for our community’s youth to know that there are sites throughout the Town that are designated as Safe Place locations, making help readily available to our youth. Stratford EMS is committed to the health and safety of all residents in Stratford. It just makes sense that we would become involved as a Safe Place site partner” says Michael Loiz, Stratford EMS Director.
It is estimated over one million youth run away from home each year due to abuse, neglect, family conflicts and other issues. The Safe Place program is an option for young people who feel they have nowhere to turn.
Stratford EMS’s Safe Place initiative, is part of a national network of Safe Place programs in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 20,000 community businesses and organizations nationwide display the Safe Place sign, making help readily available for youth in need. Stratford EMS is the newest location to become a Safe Place site in Stratford, CT.
“If a young person needs immediate help, they can depend on any location with the Safe Place sign. When a young person enters Stratford EMS looking for help, we will keep them safe and get them the help they need through the local licensed Safe Place agency – Janus Center for Youth. Stratford EMS has experience and training in dealing with youth through our Explorer Post and other youth programs. We’re proud to now offer this service to our community” says Loiz.
In addition to Safe Place sites, youth may also access immediate help via TXT 4 HELP, a text-for-support service for youth in crisis. Teens can text the word “safe” and their current location (address, city, state) to 69866 and receive a message with the closest Safe Place location and the number for the local youth shelter. Users also have the option to text interactively with a mental health professional for more help.
About Stratford EMS
The Stratford Emergency Medical Service is the basic and advanced life support ambulance / EMS provider for the Town of Stratford. Established in 1977, our mission is provide quality patient care and safe emergency transportation to the sick and injured. SEMS operates with both paid and volunteer members, EMR through Paramedic level care and offers a fleet of six ambulances and three paramedic intercept vehicles. For more information, visit www.stratfordems.org.
About National Safe Place Network
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) provides quality training and technical support for youth and family service organizations across the country. Along with being a leading membership organization offering tailored organizational development, training and professional development packages, NSPN also operates the nationally recognized programs Safe Place, HTR3, and the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC). To learn more, please visit www.nspnetwork.org.
