SPCP Childcare Program Update
Schedule a Training!!!!
Safer Pest Control Project has been busy spreading the word on IPM in Childcares throughout Illinois. A law requiring licensed childcare centers to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for indoor pests was passed in 2003. Licensed childcare centers are required to use IPM as part of the DCFS licensing requirements. Since the passing of the law, SPCP has trained over 1000 childcare staff, childcare nurses and licensing officials affecting over 40,000 children. The dozens of workshops we have led, many in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health, have been critical in raising awareness and knowledge of health risks and environmental impacts associated with pesticides.
Currently, SPCP is offering a new schedule of free statewide trainings through local R & Rs in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health. These workshops are critical to keep knowledge and compliance levels high. Offering these workshops on an ongoing basis is important because of staff turnaround and new childcares
SPCP is interested in increasing outreach efforts to reach more faith-based organizations, and Spanish speaking audiences. We are in the process of recruiting Spanish speaking trainers and developing additional Spanish language materials. If you have any ideas on how to best reach out to either of these audiences, please let us know.
In other exciting updates, SPCP is planning to develop an online training module. The development of an online module will help childcare providers gain easier access to training, and assist us in delivering our message to people we have not been able to easily reach in the past. In addition, work will begin on developing a curriculum for child development professors to increase student’s knowledge about IPM in their coursework.
We have a very exciting year ahead of us. Please feel free to contact Holly Thompson at hthompson@spcpweb.org, or (773) 878-7378 ext 202 with any questions.
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|  | 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.
| | UPCOMING IPM TRAINING SESSIONS
Safer Pest Control Project conducts training sessions designed to help childcare staff understand the dangers of pesticide exposure and learn to use IPM in their facility. These sessions are often free and open to the public. Click here for scheduled workshops or call 773-878-7378 ext 202 to schedule one in your area.
> More Information
| | Do It Yourself: Train Your Staff on IPM
NEW - 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.
The letter provides some basic instructions and includes steps to take in order to get your free organic cotton canvas bag!
Instructions for PowerPoint & Script
 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 | |
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