Not only will this place a greater financial burden on an already unsupported field of work, but this is a waste of EPIPens as MOST children haven known allergies by the time they are in daycare/preschool. At a time when the federal government is already attacking education by cutting funding and creating restrictions, placing a greater unnecessary financial burden on child care providers is egregious. It is the states responsibility to protect it's people and create work opportunities as well as supporting childcare workers who are essential to keeping our economy and social welfare in good standing. To assume that childcare providers should assume liability for administering medication that the state is requiring us to mandate is again an attack on our field of work. Aside from private and state funded childcare providers, I do not know a single institute that would be able to survive a legal battle in court. To even propose this for ALL childcare workers is an attack on Virginia's quality and affordable childcare. For parents concerned that their child may have an unknown allergy: send your child to a school licensed to administer medication. The responsibility for individual welfare falls on the individual, the responsibility for the greater wellbeing of our state as a whole falls on our elected officials. Shame on you Virginia Department of Education for this attack. It is crucial we make policy based off of widespread fact and evidence, NOT anecdotal accounts. 

This proposed change is saving no one, helping no one, only creating more obstacles for childcare providers. All parens that we have spoken to would prefer that childcare providers call 911 in case of an emergency and NOT assume medical responsibility considering child care providers are not medical professionals. 

Please, support families and childcare providers and DO NOT stoop to the level of fear mongering.