Training Childcare Center Administrators About Integrated Pest Management Through Greener Environmental Communication Venues and Collecting Pesticide Use Data in the Process

Abstract

Many people assume that schools and childcare centers are environmentally safe places for children to learn. However, adverse health effects from pest allergy related illnesses or pesticide exposure incidents can demonstrate the need for safer and more effective pest management strategies. The goal of this research is to measure the efficacy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Webinar training sessions given to childcare administrators to ultimately protect children's health by protecting children from pest and pesticide exposures in childcare centers. Over the years, numerous IPM initiatives have focused on evaluating and reducing the use of pesticides in K–12 schools; however, until recently, the 0–6 year age group has only marginally been the focus of such efforts. Due to reductions in training and travel budgets, many childcare conferences and workshops have been reduced or eliminated, and replaced by Web-based trainings. An additional goal is to collect a snapshot of pesticide use in childcare facilities via the Webinar venue.

EARLY SCHOOL IPM STUDIES APPENDIX