Sping Training Options

Need IPM training now?

For now, we have no childcare IPM trainings open to the public scheduled for 2010.  We are however currently exploring opportunities.  If you are interested in setting up an IPM workshop in your area, contact our Childcare Program Associate, Holly Thompson to discuss the various options for IPM childcare staff training in your area. In addition, you can call the state IPM coordinator, Derrick Pehlman at (217) 782-5830.

Updated Law Signed By The Governor

Less Toxic Lawn Care Law for Schools and Childcares

Success!  SPCP is proud to announce our success in getting current law amended to better protect children from toxic lawn care chemicals. Governor Quinn signed the amendments into law on August 13, 2009.

New School and Childcare IPM binder Available

Download your copy today!

Illinois law requires schools and childcares to have an IPM program in place if economically feasible.  This document helps jump start the process.

Download your copy of the 2009 IPM School/Childcare Binder here.

Contained in this document are all the materials your childcare needs to put an IPM program in place including sample policies, forms and protocol. All forms and other documents are formatted as Adobe PDF fillable files so you can make them facility specific.

The document is designed to provide a school or childcare facility with a format for keeping records as well as providing guidance for program development.  It's divided into eight sections.  The first two sections are designed to give background information for program development and the evaluation of your current pest control program.  Subsequent sections prompt and guide you through proper protocol and recordkeeping requirements.  The last section lists important resources.

SPCP recommends creating a tabbed binder and insert one section per tab for easy reference.

Be state-of-the-art! Be proactive! Be green!  Get your IPM program up and running for a safer, healthier learning environment.

SPCP'S Childcare Program Wins National Award

Rachel Rosenberg, Executive Director, traveled to Atlanta on October 21 to accept an EPA Environmental Justice Award on behalf of SPCP.

Do It Yourself: Train Your Staff on IPM

PowerPoint slides and a script to help you train your staff.

You've attended a workshop and found it surprisingly interesting and now you need to get your staff on board. Help is on the way. Download the PowerPoint slides and script listed below and you'll be a seasoned IPM teacher in the click of a button.

Download Script for Presentation

Download PowerPoint Presentation

Evaluating Your Pest Management Program with an IPM Eye

And Creating an IPM Plan

This section includes two activities: Evaluate Your IPM Program and Create an IPM Plan.

These two activities are designed to help you evaluate your current Integrated Pest Management program - identify areas that need improvement and establish steps to complete the work - and create an IPM Plan for each pest that might be encountered.

An IPM Plan identifies the IPM Coordinator and lays out routine pest prevention activities and plots a course for managing pest problems if they arise. It is an important part of an IPM program, which also includes pest sighting logs, IPM policies, communication and effective pest prevention practices. 'Create An IPM Plan' provides a template for an IPM Plan. You are not required to use this outline, but many schools and childcares find it helpful in organizing and managing their program.

'Evaluate Your IPM Program' is designed as an intensive checklist to help you identify opportunities for improvement.

The principal or administrator is not expected to know every answer. S/he will meet with the principal, school business official, custodian, facility manager, pest control company, etc. to complete the activities. Regular meetings of relevant individuals will create a foundation for a functional IPM program.

Additional information on pests is available - below.

Activities: Evaluate Your IPM Program; Create an IPM Plan
Pest info: IPM for Ants; IPM for Roaches; IPM for Rodents

IPM in Childcare Centers

In Illinois, there are approximately 3,000 licensed childcare centers; 10,000 licensed childcare homes and 400 group childcare homes, serving approximately 290,000 Illinois children. As of July 1, 2004, all licensed centers are required by state law to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control pests inside the facility. Licensed centers must also notify parents and staff and remove toys and objects handled by children prior to spraying pesticides. Many child advocacy organizations recommend IPM as a Best Practice and encourage its use in all childcares – including childcare homes/family providers and group homes.

Children are especially vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Pound for pound, they eat, drink and breathe more than an adult. Their organs and immune systems are not yet fully developed. They are more vulnerable to chemical damage and less efficient at filtering toxins. Children are more exposed to pesticide residues. They often play on the floor or ground where these residues accumulate and often put toys and objects in their mouths, leading to ingestion of residue.

Reducing children’s exposure to pesticides is critical. Studies have shown:

 Children have 50% higher incidence of leukemia if their mothers are exposed to pesticides in the home up to three months before, during or after a pregnancy.¹

 Children have a greater risk of developing asthma by age five after pesticide exposure within the first year of life.³

 Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization for children in Illinois.⁴

Parents and community members can protect children from pesticide exposure by contacting their center and encouraging them to implement an IPM program. Staff will be more amenable to implementing safer pest control practices if they know that parents are concerned.

¹ Ma, Xiaomei et al. “Critical Windows of Exposure to Household Pesticides and Risk of Childhood Leukemia” Environmental Health Perspectives 2002.

² Daniels, Julie et al. “Pesticides and Childhood Cancers” Environmental Health Perspectives 1997.

³ Towhid Salam, Muhammed et al. “Early-Life Environmental Risk Factors for Asthma: Finding from the Children’s Health Study” Environmental Health Perspectives 2004.

⁴ Illinois Health Care Cost Containment Council, 1997.