Safe Transportation for All Children: Training Opportunity
Location: APSEA, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Dates: Nov 24, 25, 2021 (Wednesday, Thursday)
Fee: $100 for each participant
Overview of Issue
There is a recognized ongoing need for Canadian families to have support in accessing appropriate, adaptive car transportation equipment for children with medical, physical and behavioural needs.
Who is this course for:
Practitioners who support the safe discharge of infants, children and youth with special healthcare needs as a part of their employment in a hospital, healthcare centre, rehabilitation centre, or other organization as an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, nurse or medical equipment vendor.
Why is this important:
Injuries related to motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of injury-related death for Canadian children. The families in your practice need additional support to transport their children safely.
About this course:
“Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Healthcare Needs” is designed to serve as an enrichment training for Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs). This initiative is specifically intended for occupational therapists or physiotherapists, medical equipment vendors, or other healthcare staff who directly support the safe positioning and transportation needs of children and youth as part of their role.
The two-day training combines classroom lectures and discussions with hands-on exercises including interactions with families. Participants review medical conditions that can affect restraint selection and have the opportunity to investigate and install specialized restraint systems. The training includes a written exam and proficiency check-offs that evaluate the student’s ability to assess appropriate restraints and to demonstrate proper selection, use and installation.
About your instructors:
This unique training will be co-taught by Katherine Hutka (Child Safety Link, IWK Health Centre) and Julia Gates (OT specialty seating, IWK Health Centre)
Katherine and Julia were trained and mentored by Dr. Marilyn Bull (National Center for the Safe Transportation of Children with Special Healthcare Needs, Indianapolis, IN) and Tammy Franks (National Safety Council) to instruct this course.
Application:
There are 10 positions available. We are only considering applications from Nova Scotia for this initiative at this time.
We will notify the first round of successful applicants on or before Nov 1st, 2020. The application form can be found here.
Pre-requisite:
If you cannot take the 3-day Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) training prior to this training, there is currently an option to instead complete a 2.5 hour “Child Passenger Safety Basics: for drivers” course prior to the STAC training. This online training is offered for free in Nova Scotia through Child Safety Link.
Please note there will be availability reserved in the CPST training scheduled for Nov 16,17, 18, 2021 (Tues, Wed, Thurs) with Chebucto Family Resource Centre that precedes STAC training in Halifax. For those who support children under 6 years old, this training is recommended as the right standard car seat will meet the needs of most children.
Please feel free to call Katherine Hutka at 902-470-7324 or email katherine.hutka@iwk.nshealth.ca if you have further questions.
