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Bastrop ISD partners with Lost Pines Toyota and Toyota Way Forward on pediatric TBI awareness grant
Summary
Bastrop ISD announced a partnership funded through a Toyota Way Forward grant to raise awareness of pediatric trauma-related brain injury. The $170,000 award (about $80,000 to BISD) will fund K–12 curriculum, parent education and PSAs featuring student ambassadors and school health staff.
Jennifer Blum, a counselor at MENA Elementary, told the Bastrop Independent School District board that the district has partnered with the Toyota Way Forward Foundation, Lost Pines Toyota and Ascension Catholic Church on a new pediatric trauma-related brain injury (TBI) initiative.
"Priscilla Ruiz wrote and received a $170,000 Toyota Way Forward grant on behalf of Lost Pines Toyota," Blum said, and she added that "approximately $80,000 went to Bastrop ISD for the development and education of an awareness campaign." Blum outlined a three-part plan: age-appropriate K–12 curriculum to help teachers recognize and prevent pediatric TBI, parent education at school and community events, and a community-awareness campaign including PSAs produced by BISD communications featuring student ambassadors and school medical and athletic staff.
Carlos Liriano, owner of Lost Pines Toyota, addressed the board and thanked Trustee Priscilla Ruiz and district leadership. "The great work that has been done is being recognized by Toyota, and they want to make this a pilot program to expand to other communities," Liriano said, adding that the partnership will allow the district to involve local clinicians and facilities as the program grows.
Blum cautioned that pediatric TBI can be subtle in early stages but have lasting academic, behavioral and social effects if not recognized and mitigated. She described helmet purchases with embedded software for high-school athletic trainers and named Dell Children's of Austin among clinical partners the district will use for parent-facing outreach.
The board thanked staff and the community partners; no formal board action was required at the meeting. Next steps described by staff included curriculum implementation, distribution of awareness materials, and further partnership development to extend clinical supports and expand the pilot if outcomes warrant it.
