As the Los Angeles ThinkFirst Chapter, the CTVIP participates in three ThinkFirst programs. ThinkFirst Kids, ThinkFirst Youth and ThinkFirst for Teens. ThinkFirst is the National Injury Prevention Foundation with chapters located throughout the United States.

ThinkFirst for Kids is a program to increase knowledge and awareness of the causes and risk factors of brain and spinal cord injury, injury prevention measures, and the use of safety habits at an early age. Curricula and presentations are available for grades 1 through 3, and may also be adapted for Kindergarten and pre-K students. Topics include protecting your brain and spinal cord, vehicle and bus safety, bicycle and pedestrian safety, playground safety, water safety and violence prevention. Curricula includes objectives and information for presenting lessons, worksheets, and parent letters and family worksheets.

ThinkFirst for Youth is for students in grades four through eight – an important time to help students learn the importance of protecting themselves, as they are increasingly faced with decision-making challenges involving their safety. Anatomy lessons and classroom activities help students develop a practical understanding of their body’s abilities, limitations and vulnerability for injuries. Exercises build communication and conflict resolution skills, increasing self-confidence and the ability to make safe choices when on their own or in the face of peer pressure.

ThinkFirst for Teens has three components listed below

1. The 10-minute film, “Think about Your Choices,” which features personal testimony from ten ThinkFirst VIP speakers who have sustained a brain or spinal cord injury. The various circumstances surrounding their injuries portray situations any teen could be faced with
2. A discussion of the anatomy of the brain and spinal cord, how injuries to these parts of the body occur, the physical results of injury, and how many of these injuries can be prevented. Understanding the frequency and permanence of these injuries helps cultivate a respectful understanding of the need for prevention. There is a strong emphasis on traffic safety, as this is the leading cause of injury and death at this age. All areas are discussed, including distracted driving, drunk and drugged driving, drowsy driving, speeding, seat belt use, helmet use, bicycle and pedestrian safety and more.
3. A VIP speaker who has sustained a brain or spinal cord injury describes how the choices made led to an injury and changed his/her life from that day forward. This is the key component of the program, as students are able to speak with someone who has actually sustained an injury, giving them a tangible and heartfelt perspective from someone they can relate to.