Requirements for instructors, instructor renewals and instructor applicants and candidates.
Instructor Requirements
- Register classes at least six weeks prior to the start of the class with the National Center for the Safe Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs;
- Teach at least one class within a two year period;
- Agree to teach the curriculum without modifications or using any pictures or content in other presentations, unless prior, written permission is granted by the National Center; and
- Submit copies off all class rosters, evaluations, tests and skills check-offs, and releases of information to the National Center within 30 days of the end of the class (we need this information in a timely manner in order to report to our various funding agencies.)
Instructor Renewal Requirements
Instructors must renew every two years in order to continue teaching “Safe Travel for All Children”. The deadline for renewals is November 1, and the National Center will send out a reminder e-mail and renewal materials to instructors who fall into that renewal cycle no later than September 30.
Eligibility Requirements for Instructor Applicants
- One year’s current experience specializing in assessments and treatment of children with special health care needs;
- Suggested professions include registered nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, pediatric social workers, physicians, recreational therapists, emergency medical responders, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Consideration will be given to health care educators who are actively involved in hospital-based special needs car seat programs;
- Current certification as a child passenger safety technician or instructor;
- Within 3 years of application, attend “Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs” course at Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN or attend another registered course (keep in mind you will need to ask your course instructor for a letter of recommendation to complete your application);
- Complete the course’s written exam with 85% accuracy; and
- Submit an application to become an instructor after six months of active participatory experiences following the special needs training.
Application Process
- Meet the instructor applicant eligibility requirements noted above;
- Obtain an application from the special needs course instructor or by contacting Anthony McGovern at 1-800-755-0912 or ajmcgove@iu.edu.
- Complete the application; and
- Submit with the completed application a total of four letters of recommendation: a) letter from your supervisor, verifying that hands-on special needs transportation assessments are part of your job responsibilities b) letter from an individual who has witnessed your clinical experience assessing the transportation needs of children with special health care needs c) letter from an individual who has witnessed your teaching experience in an adult learning environment (this experience does not have to be related to child passenger safety and will be waived if applicant is a certified child passenger safety technician instructor) d) letter from instructor who taught applicant’s “Safe Travel for All Children” training course.
Email applications to ajmcgove@iu.edu or fax to 317-274-6710 or mail to:
The National Center for the Safe Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs; ATTN: Instructor Applications
Fesler Hall Room 207
1130 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. It will take approximately two weeks to process the application before applicants will be notified of their status. Questions can be directed to Anthony McGovern at 1-800-755-0912 or ajmcgove@iu.edu.
Instructor Candidate Requirements
Once an Instructor Candidate is approved, the candidate will receive a packet of instructional materials from the National Center and must meet the following requirements:
- Teach a “Safe Travel” course within 6 months from the date of instructor candidacy approval;
- Teach the course with a lead instructor and/or mentor instructor, one of whom must be a staff member from the Automotive Safety Program/ National Center;
- Attend the entire course;
- Lecture for at least five hours, which may be divided among multiple sections;
- Set up at least one hands-on exercise (classroom, vehicle, family visit);
- Take the lead in at least one hands-on exercise (classroom, vehicle, family visit); and
- Receive an acceptable evaluation from the instructor team.
The lead instructor will submit the instructor candidate evaluation to the National Center for Safe Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs within two weeks of the end of the course. Instructor Candidates will be notified of their status within one month after the end of the course. Questions can be directed to Anthony McGovern at 1-800-755-0912 or ajmcgove@iu.edu.