Program – 2020 Texas Child Passenger Safety Conference

Updated September 9, 2020

Wednesday, September 9, 2020
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Opening Session
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Manufacturer Updates (3 CEUs)
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.	Exhibitor Booths Open
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.	BYOB Happy Hour
Thursday, September 10, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	General Session (1 CEU) Keeping Up with a Constantly Improving Field Since technician training and certification began in 1997, regulations, research, available products, and features have improved. The 2020 curriculum includes the current set of best practices, but technicians trained with earlier versions may not be familiar with all of them. This session highlights some of the teachings that have changed, along with identifying some of the catalysts for modifying practices. Presenter: Joe Colella, Owner, Traffic Safety Projects
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Workshop Breakout Sessions (1 CEU) Current Trends and Resources – Community Education Credit Current trends in the CPS Industry and credible resources for Technicians and caregivers. Presenter: Vera Fullaway, Safety Advocate, Safe Traffic System, Inc. Load Legs from a Manufacturer’s Perspective This session will do a deep dive on a load-leg study from a manufacturer’s perspective. Technicians will review the development of a measurement tool, measurement points, marketing data and vehicle characteristics that affect installation and ultimately have driven features into the car seat product. Presenter: Daniella Brown, Safety Advocate, UPPAbaby Getting It Right: Consequences of Common Car Seat Errors Technicians are trained to help caregivers follow best practices and product instructions for appropriate restraint selection, facing the safest direction for the specific child, choosing the best location in the vehicle for the safety of the child and other occupants, proper installation using seat belts, lower anchors, tethers and recline adjustments, and harnessing the child in adjusting the harness height, routing and snugness. This session looks at common errors made by caregivers, how those may increase the likelihood or severity of crash injuries, and a technician’s role in correcting the errors. Presenter: Joe Colella, Owner, Traffic Safety Projects
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Lunch Break
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Keynote Speaker: Laura Dunn, Highway Safety Specialist, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	General Session (1 CEU) Tethering in Pickup Trucks Tethering is important for forward-facing children in any vehicle, but the value is even greater in tight spaces, like the back seat of many pickup trucks. However, there are many inherent challenges to tethering in these vehicles. This presentation will take a look at these less-common—and some downright odd—tethering systems and provide helpful tips for success. Presenter: Denise Donaldson, Publisher/Editor, Safe Ride News Publications
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Workshop Breakout Sessions (1 CEU) Real or Not Real? As the popularity of online shopping increases there have been increasing reports of noncompliant, knock-off, fake and foreign car seats getting into the hands of US consumers. As a car seat technician, how can you tell if a car seat is not compliant with FMVSS 213? This session will review what is required of a compliant child restraint and will provide tips for how to spot a questionable product. Additionally, this presentation will review options for reporting questionable products, as well as messages to share with concerned caregivers. Presenter: Vera Fullaway, Safety Advocate, Safe Traffic System, Inc. Jeopardy Techs will be challenged with questions about technical information in a question and answer session based on the TV show, Jeopardy! Technicians will compete against each other to score the most points. Presenter: Sarah Haverstick, Safety Advocate, Goodbaby International Difference Between CPS in Passenger Vehicles and School Buses CPSTs are encouraged to expand their outreach to include helping to protect child passengers who ride on school buses. However, there are many ways in which the school bus environment varies from CPS in passenger vehicles. In this presentation, you’ll become familiar with how to “change your CPS hat” in order to apply your skills to the student transportation side of the field. Presenter: Denise Donaldson, Publisher/Editor, Safe Ride News Publications
Friday, September 11, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Opening Remarks & General Session Liability Issues in CPS with an Emphasis on Fitting Stations This session will be a more in-depth look at liability issues for CPS techs and what you need to think about while planning and conducting your child occupant protection programs. The entertaining session will have an emphasis on liability with car seat fitting stations. Buckle up—this is an informative (and fun) one. Presenter: Alan Korn, Executive Director, Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	Workshop Breakout Sessions (1 CEU) Getting It Right: Consequences of Common Car Seat Errors Technicians are trained to help caregivers follow best practices and product instructions for appropriate restraint selection, facing the safest direction for the specific child, choosing the best location in the vehicle for the safety of the child and other occupants, proper installation using seat belts, lower anchors, tethers and recline adjustments, and harnessing the child in adjusting the harness height, routing and snugness. This session looks at common errors made by caregivers, how those may increase the likelihood or severity of crash injuries, and a technician’s role in correcting the errors. Presenter: Joe Colella, Owner, Traffic Safety Projects Difference Between CPS in Passenger Vehicles and School Buses CPSTs are encouraged to expand their outreach to include helping to protect child passengers who ride on school buses. However, there are many ways in which the school bus environment varies from CPS in passenger vehicles. In this presentation, you’ll become familiar with how to “change your CPS hat” in order to apply your skills to the student transportation side of the field. Presenter: Denise Donaldson, Publisher/Editor, Safe Ride News Publications Q&As on Liability Issues — Ask a Question on Liability Opportunity to ask Alan Korn a question on a liability issue that affects your work in CPS. Presenter: Alan Korn, Executive Director, Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	Closing Session