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Welcome to the Florida Child Passenger Safety (CPS) e-news where we bring you the latest information on training opportunities, resources, and activities. In this edition, we cover upcoming webinars, CPST/I retention survey results, hurricane preparedness, heatstroke prevention, Child Passenger Safety week, and more.
Learn about you can get involved in the Florida CPS community below!
NOTE: The newsletter is best viewed through NEW Outlook.
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Submit upcoming CPS events in your community!
We want to help get the word out about safety fairs, volunteer opportunities, CEU trainings, and instructor sign-off events.
This is a great way to promote your local CPS event on the OPRC website.
| | Upcoming Vehicle Safety Webinar | |
Join National Safety Council for an engaging session on the importance and benefits of motor vehicle crash testing, education, and innovation. We’ll also highlight new resources and programs designed to support safety for everyone in motor vehicles.
We will be meeting Fri. September 3rd at 2:30PM EST.
NOTE: This webinar is a community education webinar
(Does not provide a CPST CEU).
Speakers include:
- Dr. Emily Thomas, Consumer Reports
- Dr. Julie Mansfield (The Ohio State University) and Jalaj Maheshwari (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
- Lonny Haschel, National Safety Council
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In our last issue, CPS instructors were invited to participate in a research study about challenges and successes with using the National Digital Check Form (NDCF) to record car seat check information. Amy Artuso is sharing the outcomes of her research in a webinar during CPS week on Tues. September 23rd at 2PM EST.
This presentation covers a brief historical overview of CPS advancements in the US and an opportunity to provide feedback for future CPS resource development.
| | Supporting Law Enforcement | |
T2 staff distributed safety education materials to law enforcement partners and supported them at the annual Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Challenge, which recognizes law enforcement agencies for outstanding traffic safety programs.
Congratulations to all the agencies who work hard to keep Florida roadways safe. We appreciate you!
| | CPST/I Retention Survey Results | The OPRC surveyed 178 CPST/Is across Florida to better understand retention and recertification challenges. | |
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92% of respondents understand renewal requirements and 89% plan to be recertified
- Barriers to recertification:
- Instructor/proxy access
- Job or responsibility changes
- Limited CEU availability
- Suggestions for improvement:
- Foster a sense of local community
- Increase access to proxies and instructors
- Include CEU opportunities alongside seat check sign offs
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Common event hosting challenges:
- Low caregiver and volunteer turnout
- Language barriers
- Limited access to resources (especially in rural areas)
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Despite the challenges, the state ranks 4th in total recertifications in the nation.
To support technicians recertification efforts, we promote local events and CEU opportunities, host monthly webinars, connect technicians to mentors, and provide scholarship and stipends. Check out the full results at CPS Surveys.
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As hurricane season approaches, we're reminding everyone to prepare their homes and vehicles in case of an emergency.
Remember to...
- Check your go-bags for non-perishables, water, first-aid, medication, lights, clothing, toiletries, and important documents.
- Include car seat essentials such as a copy of the car seat manual, label with child’s name, emergency contact, and medical info attached to seat, and a trash bag to protect the car seat from water.
- Check car seat expiration dates and car seat condition post-storm for any potential damage.
- Bring the car seat with you! Often times caregivers overlook this in their evacuation plans.
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In 2025, at least 21 children have died from being left in hot cars. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside of a vehicle can be deadly within minutes.
We’re promoting the Children in Hot Cars Tip Card so you can remind everyone to be more cognizant of their children and pets in and around hot cars. Learn more about children in hot car education at Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal.
| | Child Passenger Safety Week | |
Child Passenger Safety Week is one of our biggest opportunities of the year to raise awareness, engage families, and make a lasting impact on child passenger safety. Let’s work together to make sure every child is riding safe — every ride, every time.
All Week (September 21-27th): CPS Awareness
- Share safety tips on social media, in your community, or with partner agencies
- Host a community event or join one already planned in your area
- Educate parents and caregivers on proper seat selection, installation, and harness use
Saturday (September 27th): Seat Check Saturday
- Participate in local check events or inspection stations
- Offer hands-on, one-on-one education for parents and caregivers
- Reinforce best practices and provide resources to encourage ongoing seat checks
Order these resources today to help support your CPS week efforts!
| | October Is Pedestrian Safety Month! | | |
It's school season, which means more children are walking to and from school. Include pedestrian safety in your outreach efforts to make the roads safer for everyone, especially for the kids in your life.
Order these today to get your outreach started!
| | Scheduled times are listed in Eastern Time Zone. | | We want to hear from you! | Watch and share this campaign video by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration! | We would love to hear your ideas for topics to feature in the next edition of Florida CPS e-news. Share your ideas with us by filling out our suggestion box. |
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Order Traffic Safety Resources
Interested in ordering free resources for your next CPS class or materials to distribute at your next car seat check event?
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Scholarship and Car Seat Funding has been expended.
Check back in October for more information.
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Apply for a Stipend
Calling all Instructors! Did you know that the OPRC offers stipends to help cover the cost (travel, materials, etc.) of instructing a CPS course?
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| https://www.floridaoprc.ce.ufl.edu | | | | |
