SMARTRISK No Regrets program was the 2008 recipient of the Health Promotion and Innovation Award of Excellence, as chosen by the Canadian Institute of Child Health. SMARTRISK staff were honoured to receive the award at the Institute’s annual gala in Ottawa on Nov. 20, 2008, National Child Day.

Built on research that points to the power of peers in teenagers’ lives, SMARTRISK No Regrets trains youth leaders and their staff advisers, through a two-day experiential learning process, to implement injury prevention activities and events in their high schools.

These events and activities promote the SMARTRISK messages: Buckle Up, Look First, Wear the Gear, Get Trained and Drive Sober. They are designed to influence the attitudes and risk-taking behaviour of students in each school related to risk activities, such as driving, biking, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and partying.

SMARTRISK’s latest evaluation of the program shows that students reported fewer injuries requiring medical care following a single year’s exposure to No Regrets.

The Institute’s awards committee was “particularly impressed by the incorporation of positive messaging and especially the quality of the peer-to-peer training and evaluation of the program,” the letter confirming the award states. “Congratulations for your work to address this serious threat of injury to children and youth in Canada so effectively.”

The Institute’s gala also honoured the former lieutenant governor of Ontario, James K. Bartleman, who is the recipient of the 2008 National Child Day Award. During his term in office, Mr. Bartleman implemented Aboriginal literacy programs, supported anti-racism initiatives and worked to eliminate the stigma of mental illness.

The Canadian Institute of Child Health is a national, charitable organization founded in 1977 to promote the health and well being of all children and youth in Canada, and has a successful history in developing and implementing initiatives to increase public understanding and awareness of child health issues. CICH puts information directly in the hands of community and parents through its publications, videos and web site.