Minutes of the January 19–20, 2011 Meeting
St. Petersburg, FL
PDF Document
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members Attending: Amy Heinzen, Allan Buchanan, Diana Dias, Carole Guzzetta, Sherri Cannon,
Barbara Birkenshaw, Lorrie Walker, Bob Wall, Tess Benham, Jennifer Huebner, Marilyn Bull, Carol
Helminski, Kerry Chausmer, Wanda Vazquez, Narinder Dhaliwal, Stacy Dawkins, Jennifer Booge, Barbi
Harris, Sarah Haverstick, Tracey Hewitt (Day Two)
Members Not Present: Amy Edwards Holland, Jeanne Johnson, Tim Murphy, Lynn Ware,
Guest(s) Present:
Day One: Sofia Lopez, Rebecca Kip, CBS Community Partnerships Presentation
Day Two: Kim Hermann
Day One: January 19, 2011
Meeting called to order by Lorrie Walker at 8:40 AM EDT.
Welcome and Introductions:
Board Chair Lorrie Walker welcomed the board members. Board members introduced themselves. Amy
Heinzen introduced Mary Mahoney, Director of Marketing All Children's Hospital who welcomed the
Board. Lorrie Walker thanked Amy Heinzen and All Children's Hospital for their hospitality and for
providing our meeting space.
Board reviewed and approved the agenda. Several additional items were added:
- Vehicle Manufacturers Update by Barbara Birkenshaw
- Renewal Course
- Elect Committee Chairs
Update: NHTSA
Carole Guzzetta reported.
- NHTSA continues to operate on a continuing resolution until budget is approved by Congress.
- Operations Kids Next Generation is waiting validation of photographic releases. New requirements
for NHTSA publications require releases for all persons pictured and of the photographer. As an
interim measure until it can be released, tools for professional outreach will be extracted from the
awareness course for dissemination to technicians and instructors.
- Board discussed implications on the image release policy on future revisions and editions of the
Certification courses. Curriculum committee will develop process to inventory images, document or
obtain releases or locate replacement images with signed releases.
- The NHTSA release forms will be emailed to the Secretariat to share with board committees.
Update: NHTSA Regions
Sherri Cannon reported.
- Continuing resolution and SAFETEA-LU funds should not be impact State CPS funding in current FY.
- NHTSA Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator section of the NHTSA website continues to be a
priority with features to include automated online process to update locations. A recent issue with
inspection station site coordinator who was indicted for an issue with a child underscores need for
ability to make timely updates to locator. A consumer contacted the NHTSA region regarding
problem with inspection station listing. Board discussed certification and inspection station processes
when these situations occur. Matter referred to Quality Assurance committee to discuss how to
communicate processes to CPS professionals.
Update: Certification
Kerry Chausmer reported.
- Recertification rate is 50.3%. 15,009 technicians were eligible for recertification in 2010. More
than 7,500 recertified through November 2010. New certifications in 2010 include 8,422
technicians, 9 new instructors and 1 instructor candidate.
- The number of certification courses in 2010 are slightly higher than 2009. The monthly trends
track close to the average number of courses offered 2005-2009. There is a slight decline in the
number of new students in the certification program.
- The number of renewal courses offered in 2010 is the same as in previous years.
- Instructor discount program for instructors that teach a large number of hours continues to be well
received.
- CEU audits were conducted on approximately 9% of recertification requests.
- Updates pages and CD were sent in December. The CD is inside the shrink wrapped pages.
The certification program is sending copies of the replacement pages and CD upon email
request.
- Please friend/like National CPS Certification page on Facebook – www.facebook.com/CPScert.
Committee Reports
Advocacy Policy Ad Hoc
Tess Benham reported.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Discussed that board develop positions statements should focus on role of professionals in
promoting the safe transportation of children and safety for children in and around cars
- Committee recommends the below process be used for the board to create position statements
that promote the safe transportation for children and safety for children in and around cars.
Proposed Position Statement Process
- Committee recommends issues for position statement development to Board for approval.
- Board approves issues or areas for position statement development.
- Committee assigns person(s) to draft position statement(s).
- Committee reviews draft position statement for feedback and revisions, if any.
- Committee presents position statement to the Board for approval. Board may approve, reject
or send position statement back to committee for revision.
- Board approved position statements will be placed on CPS Board website.
Tess Benham moved that board adopt the above process to create position statements on issues
that promote the safe transportation for children and safety for children in and around cars.
Jennifer Huebner Davidson seconded motion. Motion passed, none opposed.
- Committee set goals.
- Present at March board meeting, a form for position statement development.
- Form will include overview of issue, pros and cons, research summary, list of agencies
that agree or disagree with proposed position.
- Discussed situations where "strengthened position statements" can be shared with partner
organizations and create a dialog to recommend ways board and organization can work together
to strengthen their position. Emphasis on building partnership not alienating organizations.
- Discussed having key points to compare organizations existing position and recommend
improvements. It will be important for committee to investigate and understand their process to
develop and approve positions within the organizations and appropriate follow up. A plan for
national partnerships will be developed by Membership committee to identify potential
opportunities for policy work.
- Committee proposed that position statements be developed on following issues:
- Encouraging law enforcement agencies to develop and enforce seat belt use policies
among law enforcement officers and that the policy addresses child restraint use in
emergency vehicles. Bob Wall and Stacey Dawkins agreed to develop position
statement.
- Addresses hyperthermia (hot car) injuries and deaths of children. Kerry Chausmer and
Lorrie Walker agreed to develop position statement.
- Addresses back over injuries and deaths of children. Kerry Chausmer agreed to develop
position statement.
- Encourage employers to educate employees about child restraint use and importance of
linking employees and their families to local CPS resources. Tess Benham agreed to
develop position statement.
- Encouraging hospitals to develop discharge policies that promote child restraint use,
especially, for children with special medical needs.
Tess Benham moved that board adopt position statements addressing following issues:
- Encourage law enforcement agencies to develop and enforce seat belt use policies
among law enforcement officers and that the policy addresses child restraint use
in emergency vehicles.
- Hyperthermia (hot car) injuries and deaths of children.
- Back over injuries and deaths of children.
- Encourage employers to educate employees about child restraint use and
importance of linking employees and their families to local CPS resources.
- Encourage hospitals to develop discharge policies
Bob Wall seconded motion. Motion passed, none opposed.
Reaching At Risk Communities Ad Hoc
Wanda Vazquez reported.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Develop template for Instructors to use in certification course to identify and share local special
needs resources for their service area.
- Create course assignment/worksheet for technicians to identify local resources for assisting
children with special needs.
- Develop special needs resource assignment/worksheet
- Create instructor guidelines on how to use assignment.
- Create workgroup to pilot assignment in certification course.
- Develop tool to identify local resources to assist non-English speaking consumers.
- Issue call for call for translators for line art drawings. Reissue drawings with translations on CPS
Board website and to CPS networks.
Vehicle Manufacturers Update
Barbara Birkenshaw reported.
- FMVSS 111 — Rearview Camera Rule
- This rulemaking proposes the expansion of the rearward field of view of vehicles by
requiring a rearview camera system with a phase-in schedule of 10% starting in 2012,
40% in 2013 and 100% in 2014. NHTSA corrected the SUV phase-in to align with the
passenger car one.
- NHTSA estimates that it could cost $100 per vehicle to make this change, the automobile
manufacturers estimate $200 or more per vehicle to make this change.
- Alliance requested an extension of the rulemaking to address some concerns.
- The threshold amount of time it takes the camera to start once the vehicle is
placed into reverse.
- Additional engineering and logistical questions.
- Notice of proposed rulemaking for 10-year old crash test dummies – other proposals section
requires information about the use of child restraint and vehicle systems and children above 65
pound. At issue is an error that changes wording from "child seat mass" to "weight of child". Child
seat mass is the sum of the weight of child restraint and weight of child. Vehicle manufacturers
have concerns about this wording as it creates engineering and testing challenges. Many new
child restraints are heavier. Some new child restraints weigh more than 25 pounds. The newer
heavier seats when combined with the weight of a child may exceed tested safe child seat mass
for a vehicle's LATCH system. The concern is the change from child seat mass to child weight
will create of more confusion for parents and CPS professionals around the use of child restraint
and vehicle systems. Vehicle and child restraint manufacturers are working together to propose
labeling and limits on use of the LATCH that will clarify the situation.
- Airbag Cut Off Switches – vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2012 are no longer
allowed to provide airbag cutoff switches. This change also includes aftermarket switch
retrofitters.
- Rear Side Airbags — vehicle manufacturers must meet stringent injury testing criteria regarding
the deployment of the rear side airbags and test worst case scenarios which are outlined in the
Technical Working Group — Out of Position guidelines. Each year, vehicle manufacturers provide
testing results to the NHTSA during their "Buying a Safer Car" information request. The results
are review and once accepted by NHTSA an indication is placed on safercar.gov where
consumers can check if their vehicle meets this voluntary standard.
- Occupant Containment — new curtain airbag systems are being tested to prevent occupant
ejections. In the new systems, curtain airbags remain inflated longer with slight tethering to
prevent the ejection of the occupants.
New Business – Agenda items moved from Day Two.
Confusion Regarding Upper Weight Limits for Use of Low Anchors and Top Tethers
- Board discussed questions from the field regarding the use of lower anchors and top tethers and
upper weight limits for recommended use. These questions arise from differences in national
certification curriculum and the LATCH manual publication.
- Vehicle manufacturers and child restraint manufacturers are required to conduct
extensive crash testing.
- Manufacturer's state upper weight limits on the safe use of their products.
- These manufacturers have representatives that review and participate in the
development of the National Certification curriculum who have provided guidance on
upper weight limits (children weighing less than 40#) when using vehicle LATCH systems
if the CR label or vehicle owners manual is not available.
- Technicians should always use manufacturer recommendations regarding upper weight
limits for LATCH and use of top tethers.
- This matter is not a gray area or a "best practice" situation where options are provided to
the parent/caregiver.
- Communications committee will draft a standard Board response for upper weight limit questions
posted on CPS listservs and message forums.
Renewal Course Remediation
- Board discussed situations that have occurred where Instructors may feel pressured to offer
remediation to students who have failed the written renewal course test. Some professions and
agencies use remediation as a standard practice. Remediation or changing grades is not an
option available to instructors and may place the instructor's certification status at risk.
- Board discussed other renewal course situations where instructors may be pressured by students
or the sponsoring organization.
- Referred to Quality Assurance Committee to develop tips on how to deliver bad news and
Instructor options and how to respond if pressured.
Presentation: CBS Community Cares Partnerships
Sofia Lopez and Rebecca Kip presented information from CBS Television about their community cares
partnership program for non-profits.
Committee Reports (continued)
CERT/RECERT
Kerry Chausmer reported.
Discussion/Action Items
- CPS Award Program
- Board will recognize a technician and instructor at Lifesavers conference with two new
awards. 76 applications were received, 41 technicians and 35 instructors.
- Board discussed parameters of the award program. Board agreed that the award
program should be limited to CPS programs in U.S. states and territories.
- Committee plans to fine tune and strengthen the award nomination processes for next
year.
Bob Wall moved that highest scoring nominations for instructor and technician be named CPS
Instructor of the Year and CPS Technician of the Year for 2011. Lorrie Walker seconded. Motion
passed. None opposed.
- Committee reviewed comments from the Expired Tech Survey.
- NHTSA Instructor Development Course in progress.
- Certification program question regarding need for instructors to continue to do seat checks in
order to recertify. Consensus of board agreed that instructors that seats checks continue to be
required.
Board Recognition
Carole Guzzetta recognized outgoing board members for their contributions to the National Child
Passenger Safety Board and to ensuring the safe transportation of children. The following outgoing
board members were recognized:
- Wanda Vazquez, Diversity
- Tim Murphy, National Nursing
- Tracey Hewitt, At Large
- Lynn Ware, CPS Advocate
- Amy Edwards, Injury Prevention
A plaque will be mailed to outgoing board members in appreciation of their service to the board.
Lorrie Walker passed the gravel to Bob Wall the incoming Board Chairperson.
Meeting adjourned Day One 3:35 PM EDT.
Day Two: January 20, 2011
Meeting called to order by Bob Wall at 8:10 AM CDT.
Committee Reports (continued)
Communication
Diana Dias reported. Committee is working on developing action plan. A brainstorming session was held
which generated ideas.
Discussion/Action Items
- Committee recommended changing CPS Board logo to freshen up look of communications. New
proposed logo was presented to board members to review. Board suggested one technical
correction to the logo image.
- Board discussed update to structure of the board website in conjunction with incorporating the
new logo into board website. Secretariat will get estimated costs and proposed work plan from
Bill Hall. A communications subcommittee will work with Bill to identify board website needs.
- Board recognized the contributions of Bill Hall for his work on CPS Awards and curriculum
updates. Secretariat to send a note of appreciation.
- Tess Benham moved to adopt new board logo. Barbara Birkenshaw seconded. Motion passed.
None Opposed.
- Discussed communications plan for CPS awards.
- A poster will be created with names of award nominees and the person who made the
nomination. The poster will be flip chart size to be placed on an easel.
- Press releases will be created and forwarded to NHTSA for approval. CPS State
contacts will be informed of award winners and nominees from their states.
- The certification program will make coupon for complimentary renewal for each winner.
- AAA will create a giant check to be presented to the award winners.
- Committee continues to define the spokesperson role for board members.
- Please remember to forward your bio and photo to Diana Dias.
- Committee continues to development of board tools
- Bob Wall agreed to develop a Facebook page for the National CPS Board.
- Committee is developing a media contact list.
Quality Assurance
Sherri Cannon reported.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Committee reviewed processes around when an instructor, technician or inspection station CPS
contact have been indicted for a sex crime or other crime against children.
- Technician Survey
- An appreciation certificate will be developed to be placed on the CPS board website. The downloadable certificate can be printed to recognize technicians and their supporting
organizations.
- Committee continues to look at ways to increase recognition of technicians.
- Instructor Survey
- An email will be sent to instructors to remind them of the importance of the pre-training
meeting requirement and tips on how to respond to pressure from attendees and their
organizations
- Survey underscored the importance of instructors as a resource for technicians.
- Committee discussed creating an Instructor Tips section in CPS Express and creating an
Instructor tips resource for Instructor Candidates.
- Committee will be creating a plan on how to develop new tools for technicians and instructors
based upon the survey results.
Membership
Amy Heinzen reported.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Discussed application feedback and proposed changes to application process and timeline for
2012. Application for board membership will be electronic and not require paper copies of the
application. Timeline for 2012 applications to the board:
- Post Call for Board Applications on the CPS website in April 2011.
- Close Call for Board Applications on June 30, 2011.
- Membership committee reviews applications and conducts interviews in July – August, 2011.
- Board appoints prospective board members at September 2011 meeting.
- Applicants notified of the status of their board application.
- Committee recommended process for notifying rotating appointed (vehicle manufacturer and child
restraint manufacturer) positions to the board. Process follows:
- The Secretariat will send letter to notify appointing organization that the rotating
appointed position term will expire and request the name of their proposed nomination for
the board.
- The letter will be mailed at the same time the Call for Applications are posted on the
board website with a date for response from their organization.
- The appointing organization notifies board of their proposed nomination for board
membership by response date.
Lorrie Walker moved to adopt above membership notification process. Narinder Dhaliwal
seconded. Motion passed. None Opposed.
- Board positions open for 2012 include:
- CPS Advocate
- Public Safety — Law Enforcement
- Injury Prevention — Public Health
- Vehicle Manufacturer Representative
Curriculum
Jennifer Huebner reported.
Discussion/Action Items:
- Replacement pages and Instructor Update CD were mailed in December for courses dated
February 1st. The revised student manual will be available for download in May 2011.
- Curriculum Revisions
- The following timeline was proposed for curriculum revisions:
- Complete collection of feedback from the field by June 2011.
- Curriculum committee completes changes by September 2011.
- Curriculum reviewed by editor to improve voice and compatibility of terms.
- Curriculum ready print files are completed by March 2012.
- Reviewers from the field will be recruited to provide feedback on the curriculum.
- Curriculum Images
- NHTSA guidelines require releases for any person depicted in an image and permission
for use of the image by the creator/photographer. An Image subcommittee was created
to review all images in the current curriculum to catalog curriculum images and to
determine if image needs to be updated or replaced.
- An image library will be created with image files and appropriate releases for each image.
- Renewal Course
- Committee will revise the renewal course in conjunction with the curriculum update.
- Areas identified requiring review in the revised curriculum include:
- Rear facing updates
- Vehicle manufacturer recommendations
- Child restraint manufacturer recommendations
- Diversity recommendations
- Non-locking section to be examined
- Add information about mandated reporting to State Laws section
- Update misuse situations
- Improve layout suggestions
- Updates to latchplate and rectractor information
- NHTSA 4-steps
- Update course assessments
- Editorial review of certification course
- The possibility of the TSI contractor conducting the editorial review of the curriculum
materials.
- Board discussed the need to extend the dates of their July in-person meeting to allow additional
time to review the curriculum and proposed changes.
Mission, By-laws & Board Structure Ad Hoc
No report.
Outstanding Action Items
Strategic Plan Update
Board updated the Strategic Plan. Progress was noted for each of the strategic action items and
identified the completion of the following items:
- Developed a process to develop board position statements regarding safe transportation of
children and the safety of children in and around cars.
- Completed analysis of a questionnaire for technicians and instructors regarding their needs. The
findings will be reported to CPS field. Committee will develop a plan to develop better resources
for technicians and instructors based upon the questionnaire findings.
- Developed Technician and Instructor of the Year Award program. The first award winners will be
announced March 26, 2011
LATCH Manual Letter
Board reviewed draft of letter to Safe Ride News expressing concern over the language used in the 2011
LATCH manual regarding tether use. Letter approved. Secretariat will send letter requesting response
by end of February.
Instructor Availability for Seat Checks — Use of technology
Board discussed the option to allow the use of technology, particularly cell phone and Skype video
technology for Instructor use in approving seat checks. In person seat checks are the best solution,
however, situations such as a technician serving at US military bases overseas or in very remote
locations, an interactive video call between instructor and technician can be utilized to review seat
installations. This process would be similar to the existing technician proxy.
New Business
Bob Wall provided an update about the National Transportation Safety Board Hearing held December 9,
2010.
Secretariat will send letter thanking CBS Community Cares for their presentation.
2011/2012 Meeting Dates
Meeting dates are listed below. Board discussed needing an additional day at July in-person meeting.
2011
- March 15, 2011 Webcast/Conference Call
- May 17, 2011 Webcast/Conference Call
- July 19–21, 2011 National Safety Council, Itasca, IL (Begin 1 pm on 19th and End 3:00 pm on 21st)
- September 20, 2011 Webcast/Conference Call
- November 15, 2011 Webcast/Conference Call
2012 — Tentative
- January 18–19, 2012 Graco Testing Facility, Atlanta GA
Meeting adjourned at 2:28 PM EDT.
| 
