Before she even hits the road, Briana Glover, a caseworker out of the DCYF Everett office, always ensures she has a car seat properly installed in her backseat. It doesn’t matter the brand or model, Glover is well trained to identify the correct car seat size for the child’s age and weight and how to properly fasten the child.
Her car seat expertise has not gone unnoticed and now her commitment to safety is recognized by Safe Kids Washington.
Each year, Safe Kids Washington receives nominations for the Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year. This year, Glover is one of those nominated by the nonprofit organization, which works to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries.
As a Family Assessment Response (FAR) caseworker, Glover is often required to transport children to their temporary placements or take children into DCYF custody. Caseworkers often depend on community partners for car seat training.
“Safely transporting children is critical to our job,” says Patricia Turner, the area administrator for the region. “The department works with children of all ages, including infants and children in booster seats.”
Luckily for the Everett office, Glover volunteers as a car passenger seat technician and now, with permission from the area administrator, she is training her colleagues on car seat safety.
Vanessa Lea, Glover’s supervisor, says Briana has been instrumental in implementing car safety training in the Everett office, ensuring car seats are in compliance and are meeting the new car seat regulations. On Jan. 1, a revised law added additional child restraint requirements for children under 16 years old.
“She is passionate about child safety and has expertise in the passenger safety arena and has brought that expertise to our office,” Lea said. “We are very proud of her!”
Glover says she almost cried when she found out she was nominated.
“I’m really honored,” Glover said. “I definitely don’t do what I do for recognition, I’m just a CPS worker that is passionate about keeping kids safe.”