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National CPS Certification eNews |
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October 1, 2005 |
| Announcements and Notices |
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State Farm Joins National Certification Program as Sponsor State Farm Insurance, established in 1922, has grown from a small farm mutual auto insurer to one of the world's largest financial institutions. State Farm has long been active in and supportive of CPS education and events, including their annual Child Safety Day. One of their largest safety endeavors is the Partners for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS) program. PCPS is the first academic-corporate partnership devoted to the safety of children in motor vehicles. The program's methodology is unique, combining in-depth telephone interviews, on-site crash investigations and computer crash simulations with interdisciplinary analysis and interpretation. Their materials and research has helped many states pass booster seat laws. Now, State Farm has committed to support the national CPS certification program as a partner with Safe Kids Worldwide. Safe Kids Worldwide welcomes State Farm, its 79,200 employees and more than 16,700 agents, to the national network of people working to ensure safe transportation for child passengers. State Farm’s sponsorship, effective September 1, 2005, helps make possible the program enhancements that certified CPS technicians and instructors across the U.S. enjoy through the national certification program Web site, http://www.safekids.org/certification/. So, next time you log in and change your password, search for a local technician or read the latest edition of the CPS Express! online, be sure to thank State Farm.
Don’t Risk Your Certification—You may re-certify up to four months before your certification expiration date.
Once your re-certification registration is processed, you will have 30 days to complete the online exam. The test does not have to be completed by your certification expiration date. If your test is never started, inadvertently submitted or incomplete when the term expires, it will be graded and you won’t get your money refunded.
Do you need a little extra information for your supervisor on re-certification? We have added a “Dear Supervisor” letter on the website under Resources--> Forms which you are welcome to print and use in your agency.
All CPS certifications for people in Louisiana and Mississippi with expiration dates from September 1, 2005 to January 1, 2006 have been automatically extended to April 15, 2006. They will not revert to their previous expiration dates. If anyone else was affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita and needs course refunds or re-certification extensions, we are happy to do so. We ask that you contact us by December 1, 2005 for any accommodations you may need. On a personal note, many of you know that I moved to D.C. one year ago after calling New Orleans home for 16 years. It is heartbreaking to see such devastation in New Orleans and along the gulf coast. Stay well and safe, Kerry |
| Upcoming Program Developments |
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Feedback and Enhancements As more people have provided feedback and suggestions on our new Web site, we have been making additional enhancements to the system. For example, course administrators may now view the roster an approve registration requests for controlled courses. The Find A Technician/Instructor search engine is up and running. The next major enhancement will be providing the ability to enter purchase orders online. Please continue to share your specific suggestions with Safe Kids.
A site map has been added to help you navigate the Web site. Look for the link on the upper right hand corner of the screen. |
| Just for Instructors |
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Certification Renewal Course If you have not received your copy of the NHTSA Certification Renewal Course Instructor Guide or CD, please send an email to Kerry Chausmer. Please be sure your contact information is up to date in your online profile. Technician (certification: 32 hour course) manuals are not provided to Renewal Course attendees (See FAQ below). Their $70 registration fee includes the Renewal Course student guide, online test and two years of certification (upon passing with 85%). Please share with students that online test information will be provided approximately five business days after the course is finalized.
Reprint from June 21, 2005 CPS Express:
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| Just for Fun |
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Are You A CPS Nerd? Test Your Knowledge! This section of the newsletter highlights trivia and facts about child passenger safety. Please submit your ideas to Kerry Chausmer. Be sure to include how you would like your name to appear. No submissions this month.
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| CPS Resources |
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Straight to the Source Child restraint and vehicle manufacturers are an excellent source of information. Contact information for many of these manufacturers is available on the CPS Certification Web site under Resources. Please visit their sites for details on research and products.
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| FAQs |
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I’m a currently certified technician. How do I get a copy of the most recent (2004) version of the manual? While NHTSA was able to underwrite the cost of sending updated manuals to existing technicians during the early phase of the program, that phase of the program is no longer active. Existing technicians can view or print content from the revised participant manual at www.cpsboard.org. The 2004 Participant’s Manual is available for $35 from the Safety Restraint Coalition, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. The price includes shipping to the lower 48 states. An order form is available at http://www.800bucklup.org/. To order in bulk, for shipping costs on orders sent outside the continental U.S. or for more information, call (425) 828-8975 or e-mail office@800BUCKLUP.org. Proceeds will support Washington’s child passenger safety programs.
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CPS Nerd Answers |
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No submissions this month.
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| Contact Us |
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Questions? Comments? Concerns? Safe Kids Worldwide |
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This newsletter was e-mailed as a benefit of your national CPS certification |