Welcome

As we close out another busy year, we’re pleased to highlight the latest program updates, resources, and training opportunities designed to support Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians and Instructors (CPST/Is) and community partners statewide. In this issue, you’ll find details on newly updated Car Seat Basics courses, virtual car seat checks, continuing education units (CEUs) opportunities, how to spot illegal car seats, and more.

NOTE: The newsletter is best viewed through the most recent version of Microsoft Outlook.

Hosting a CPS Event?

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 Occupant Protection Resource Center (OPRC) website.

Updated Car Seat Basics Trainings

In 2025, several child passenger safety (CPS) trainings have been refreshed and expanded to better equip professionals and community partners with the knowledge and confidence needed to ensure proper car seat use and promote child safety. 

Car Seat Basics

This free, 60-minute course provides guidance on the correct use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. The updated version features new visuals and practice examples, and is available in multiple formats - online, in-person, or as a group session.

Booster Seats and Seat Belts Basics

This new 30-minute mini-course is designed to promote proper booster seat and seat belt use for school-aged children. It’s ideal for organizations that transport children - such as schools, childcare centers, and community programs - or those involved in distributing booster seats. 



Car Seat Basics for Law Enforcement

This version is tailored for officers who are not certified CPSTs. It provides essential child passenger safety knowledge along with practical communication strategies to support families and is approved for training credit in multiple states. 

All courses are free and available through the Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal with flexible delivery options to fit your schedule.

Adding or Updating Fitting Stations

Are you looking to add a new child passenger safety (CPS) fitting station or update an existing one? Each station must have a designated nationally certified CPS technician or instructor. Please complete the form below with your fitting station details. Once submitted, we will update the fitting station database and make it available for public viewing. Kindly allow time for processing.

FDOT Car Seat Priority Counties

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) provides funding to purchase child safety seats for nationally certified CPSTs to distribute to parents and caregivers in need. FDOT counties ranked in the top 40% for occupant protection serious injuries and fatalities are designated as priority. CPSTs may request up to six car seats per qualified event. Qualified events include: 

• Events held as part of a CPST Certification Course 
• Events hosted in an FDOT priority county 
• Events scheduled during National CPS Week (September 20–26, 2026)

FDOT Priority Counties (Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2026)

Upcoming CEU Opportunity

The popularity of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) among children and adolescents is a significant concern due to the high risk of injuries associated with their use. There are many ways that CPSTs can educate families to significantly reduce the dangers associated with ATVs. Join Denise Donaldson of Safe Ride News for a 1-hour webinar on Wednesday, December 3, at 2:00PM EST to learn how you can educate and advocate for children.

After You Complete a CEU Event

(from CPS Express – Safe Kids Worldwide) 

Keep your recertification on track by following this quick checklist: 



• Save your certificate of attendance for each CEU event. 
• Enter CEU details correctly in your Safe Kids Certification Portal under the right recertification cycle. 
• Follow up promptly if you don’t receive your certificate. 
• Keep both digital and paper copies of your certificates for at least three months after recertification. 

Questions about CEU audits? Check the National CPS Certification Policies & Procedures Manual or email cpsaudit@safekids.org.

Red Flags for Spotting Illegal Car Seats

Families may unknowingly purchase a car seat that is non-compliant with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. The Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety (MACPS) developed a list of potential red flags to spot a non-compliant car seat. Any red flag requires additional research to confirm a car seat is compliant. Some labeling red flags include:

• Unrecognized manufacturer name with a foreign physical address
• Non-U.S. telephone number
• Foreign languages on the labels that do not include English
• Incorrect grammar, spelling, or sentence structure
• Foreign compliance labels
• Missing U.S. mandatory information on labels

Every Car Seat Safety Recall Matters

Car seat recalls are about ensuring child safety. They highlight a failure to meet strict federal standards or crash performance expectations. Staying informed and acting quickly on recalls is essential for keeping children safe. Recalls are issued by manufacturers in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when safety concerns are identified.

Always encourage parents and caregivers to register their car seats to receive recall notices. Below are resources for you to check for car seat recalls.

• NHTSA Car Seat Recall Lookup Tool
• NSC Check to Protect
• Safe Ride News Car Seat Recall Notices
• UNC Highway Safety Research Center Car Seat Recall List

District 2 Seat Check Volunteers Needed

Safe Kids North Central Florida, in partnership with FDOT District 2, is hosting a car seat check event to support families and caregivers on Thursday, December 11, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. CPSTs in District 2 are needed to assist with car seat checks during the event. An instructor will be on site to provide guidance and assist with recertification signoffs as needed.

Your participation helps ensure children in our community travel safely.

Thank you for your continued support!

Need an Observed Seat Check for Recertification?

You can now schedule a virtual seat check observation through the NSC's CPS program Safety Connection. During your session, a CPST-I will observe your seat check with a caregiver or family and complete the required sign-off for recertification. Appointments are available to both English and Spanish-speakers. Before scheduling, be sure to review the CPST Seat Check Sign-off Checklist to ensure you are fully prepared for your observation. 

Impaired Driving

Join the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s initiative in raising awareness about the dangers of drug-impaired driving. If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI. is a national, high-visibility enforcement campaign that emphasizes the importance of sober driving. Supported by increased law enforcement, the initiative reminds drivers that impairment - whether from drugs or alcohol - puts lives at risk and can lead to serious legal consequences.

Order these drug-impaired driving resources to aid your local campaign efforts:

• DUI Law Synopsis Tip Card
• DUI Facts Tip Card
• Teen Drinking & Marijuana Use Tip Card
• Speaking With Your Teen About Alcohol Tip Card
• Drugs, Alcohol, and Driving Poster

December 3

CEU Webinar - ATVs

December 8

Car Seat Checkup - Lakeland

December 8

Car Seat Distribution Class - Lakeland

December 9

NDCF Webinar - Practice

December 9

NDCF Webinar - Town Hall

December 10

Car Seat Checkup - High Springs

December 11

Car Seat Checkup - Lake City

Scheduled times are listed in Eastern Time Zone.

December 11

NDCF Webinar Orientation

December 11

NDCF Webinar - Let Your Data Do the Talking

December 15

CPST Orientation Webinar

December 17

Car Seat Q&A - Lakeland

December 18

Car Seat Check - Gainesville

January 14

Car Seat Checkup - High Springs

January 15

Car Seat Checkup - Gainesville

January 22

Car Seat Checkup - Gainesville

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.

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?

Apply for a Scholarship

Do you know someone

who wants to become a

CPS technician? Are you

ready to recertify? Our

scholarships cover Safe

Kids fees!

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?

https://www.floridaoprc.ce.ufl.edu