WA CPS Update
We are well into fiscal year 2025 (started 10/1/24) and everyone has been keeping busy with child passenger safety activities. We have a lot in store for you this year. Be sure to read all of the announcements.
MINI-GRANTS
Thank you to all of you who entered into a mini-grant agreement to support local services and hosting a CPST course. Reach out if you have any questions.
REMINDERS:
Ensure service providers are using the correct per diem rates (see attached). The mileage rate is likely to change the first of the year.
When purchasing child restraints, be sure to keep a current inventory of seats. We all know child restraints have an expiration date. Distribute your inventory by utilizing older seats first whenever possible. This is to avoid having a stock of soon to expire seats.
NATIONAL DIGITAL CHECK FORM (NDCF) and QUARTERLY REPORTING
In addition to sharing yearly mis-use data gathered from the NDCF system; there are quarterly reports available; sharing state, county and technician seat check data in addition to seats distributed. This information is provided using the “raw’ data file. The “clean” data is not finalized until several weeks later due to the volume and care taken to ensure the information is accurate. I understand many of you have reporting to conduct on a regular basis. The raw data file will be generated on or near the 10th of the month following the quarters’ end; then placed on wacarseats.com under resources, car seat data.
As a nationally certified child passenger safety technician, you should have an account in the NDCF system. Create a user account at www.carseatcheckform.org and have a copy of your CPST certification card to submit. Each time you recertify, you will need to upload your certification card into the NDCF system. If you are struggling with getting used to the NDCF format, visit https://www.cpsboard.org/ndcf/tutorial-videos/ It has numerous tutorials that will help you with setting up an account, adding your agency, and much more.
NEW NDCF ACCOUNTS: When setting up your profile, your account is initially blocked until it is reviewed and approved. You then will receive an automated email. In this email is a link to click on access your account and reset your password. Your name and technician number will not populate on the NDCF until you have completed this step.
TIMELY input of your seat checks is critical to gathering data and activity reports. Many of you utilize a tablet for direct input into the system; while others prefer to use a hard copy then enter the data on your desktop. BOTH methods work and are acceptable. Ensure your data is uploaded to the system regularly to meet the following:
| NDCF SEAT CHECKS | ALL DATA DUE TO SYSTEM |
| October, November, December | January 10th |
| January, February, March | April 10th |
| April, May, June | July 10th |
| July, August, September | October 10th |
Your first exposure to the NDCF should have been in your certification course. Many technicians utilize their knowledge by conducting seat checks by appointment or supporting a community check event. Let me know If you would like to share your car seat check services on www.wacarseats.com. By doing so, you may be issued a tablet for conducting seat checks.
Free preprinted forms (English and Spanish) are now available at the state printer for order. Just set up an account and place your order at myprint.wa.gov. The updated NDCF should be announced and available the last week of January. Make note to upload the most current format.
RECERTIFICATION
Completing a Community Education event and six Continuing Education Units are usually achieved before the required five seat check sign-offs when it comes to recertification. Now there is the ability to obtain a VIRTUAL seat sign-off! Visit https://carseateducation.org/cpst-resources
Reach out if you are interested in providing seat sign-offs at a community seat check event. I can assist with providing an instructor or tech-proxy to provide this service. There are also CEU sessions that can be held at the local level if you are interested.
CHILD RESTRAINT / VEHICLE RECALLS
A necessity when checking car seats is a current recall list. To access the list, click here.
Tech Tip: Anytime you need to confirm whether a printed version of this recall list is still current, use a smartphone camera or reader app to scan the QR code at the top of the page. This will take you to the SRN webpage where the list is posted and where its most current revision date is stated.
Raising awareness about the importance of checking for and repairing open vehicle safety recalls is also needed with every seat checked. Since January, over 9 million vehicles may be impacted by safety recalls. You can order Check To Protect pre-printed cards at the state printer.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
TRANSLATED MATERIALS: There are numerous items available for download on https://wacarseats.com/posters-graphics/. Reach out if there is something needed and not yet available.
NON-COMPLIANT CHILD RESTRAINTS: It is highly likely you have had direct experience or learned about car and booster seats which are not approved for use in the U.S. There is a free handout provided by Oregon Health & Science University Injury in several languages https://www.ohsu.edu/doernbecher/safety-center-resources.
www.saferidenews.com has a page titled Unsafe Products under Resources. You will find a portal for anyone wanting to report on, learn about, or teach the dangers of non-compliant products. The page has links to a couple of handouts for teaching that can be used; one even has a version that allows other agencies to customize with their contact/logo.
WASHINGTON CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY SUMMIT
Attached you will find a SAVE THE DATE for our next CPS Summit. We are asking for content suggestions for the instructor day. For the technician session, we are also interested in sharing some of the programs/events you have provided in your community.
| DAY ONE March 25, 2025 9:00am-4:30pm | DAY TWO March 26, 2025 9:00am-4:30pm |
| Dedicated to CPST Instructors only | Dedicated to ALL technicians and instructors |
Optional attendance if you are:
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Optional attendance if you:
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SAFE TRAVEL FOR ALL CHILDREN (STAC)
Spokane July 15 and 16, 2025
This is an enrichment course for child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) to learn more about adaptive transportation. The two day course combines a classroom learning environment with hands-on exercises. Technicians will be introduced to various medical conditions which may impact restraint selection for the rider. They will be provided with the opportunity to adjust and install adaptive restraint systems. The training concludes with a proficiency exam that evaluates the student’s ability to assess appropriate restraints and to demonstrate proper use and installation. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. Class size is limited.
If interested in obtaining this enrichment training, send me your answers to the following questions:
- Do you currently work with children with disabilities?
- How do you think you will use this training as a Technician?
- What are you hoping to get out of this training?
- Do you plan to recertify as a technician?
OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Long Beach, California
Pre-conference Trainings Saturday, March 8th
Conference March 9th – 11th
The 2025 Lifesavers Conference provides a national platform with approximately 70 workshops in ten tracks, plenary sessions, and an extensive exhibit hall. The Lifesavers Conference program is designed to engage federal, state and local government, law enforcement, public health, injury prevention, advocacy, and non-profit organization professionals in an exchange of ideas, strategies, and programs to reduce preventable injuries and deaths.
WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY SUMMIT (not to be confused with the Washington Child Passenger Safety Summit)
Spokane
July 15 – 17, 2025
We invite you to be a part of the change. Join us at the Traffic Safety Summit in Spokane, Washington, to learn about the Safe System Approach. Together, we can lead the charge to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in our communities. This event brings together planners, officials, law enforcement, public health professionals, and others committed to making roads safer. We all play a crucial role in this life-saving mission. Hear from national and local experts, share ideas, and explore strategies to reduce traffic deaths and injuries.
Madison, Wisconsin
Extended Learning Sessions: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Conference: Thursday, August 14, 2025 & Friday, August 15, 2025
The Planning Committee is seeking abstracts for extended learning sessions for the 2025 KIDZ IN MOTION International Child Passenger Safety Conference. Extended learning sessions are held on the first day of the conference (Wed., Aug. 13, 2025) and provide attendees the opportunity to fully explore a topic.
▪ Topics can be technical or community education or a combination of both.
▪ Extended learning sessions typically are a 1/2 day (3 hours) to a full day (6 hours) in length.
Presenters are responsible for all expenses related to attending the conference including the conference registration fee, transportation, lodging and meals not included in the conference registration fee.
We encourage you to submit your innovative ideas via the 2025 KIDZ IN MOTION Extended Learning Abstract Submission Form!
Contact Tammy Franks at tammy.franks@kidzinmotion.org with questions.
NOTE: The abstract submission period for 50-minute conference workshops will open in January 2025. If you would like to receive a reminder, email mandi@kidzinmotion.org.
Miscellaneous
There has been reports of vehicle thefts occurring with children or pets left alone in the cars. Educate the caregivers you interact with to remain vigilant and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, even momentarily. Even in the safest neighborhoods, car thefts can happen in seconds, especially when vehicles are left running or unlocked. Most incidents happen at convenience stores, residential driveways and places where thieves know people feel safe leaving their vehicle momentarily unattended.
To help educate communities, Kids and Car Safety has released a powerful public service announcement (PSA) video. The video captures the urgency of these situations and is a vital resource for spreading awareness. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to share this PSA widely to help prevent these traumatic incidents.
Safety Tips for Parents and Caregivers:
- Never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle—even for a minute.
- Use drive-thru or curbside pickup services whenever possible.
- Call ahead for assistance; most businesses are happy to accommodate families with young children.
- Keep car doors locked and keys with you when pumping gas with children in the vehicle.
Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping children safe in and around vehicles.