I would very much like to see the first aid/CPR and the MAT/PMAT training count towards the annual training requirement.  Also, I would like to see the administration of Benedryl or like medication included in the PMAT certification since that is the first step many physicians prescribe before the use of an epi-pen or other emergency medications.

I have found that the Standards for Licensed Childcare is hard to read and open to vast interpretation by the inspectors.  Is there a way to view a sample format when it is changed? I like the change in the forms for administration of medication. I hope that trainings will be offered when the change is made with the standards for directors and assistant directors to understand what is expected. 

I would like to see MAT training be counted in the annual training hours. For what it costs centers to train individuals in MAT, as well as the length of time the trainng takes, it would be nice for there to be some benefit in terms of accepted training hours for this training.

Also, it would be great if PMAT could include inhalers. It would make PMAT a more useful option for centers who choose not to do full MAT training, due to cost or other reasons. Would it be possible for licensed physicians or nurses to be able to provide training to centers for Epi-Pens and inhalers only? This may 1)reduce the cost to centers 2) make training more accessible and 3)further our mission of keeping children safe.

In my area, MAT is not easy to find or schedule nearby. There are few trainers who are available in the area, which means we would have to get someone to travel from a larger city (usually Richmond). Combined with class size minimums/maximums, this makes scheduling difficult. The online option is great, but you still have to schedule someone to do the hands on portion.

I am all for training providers, and equipping them with the tools they need to be successful in caring for children. I would love for it to be more accessible!

 Currently childcare centers are opened between 12 to 13 hours per day. I would like to see a limit put in place on how much time children spend in care. The Child Development centers on Military installation have a 10 hour per day time limit. I would like to see a similar policy put in place in the Virginia regulations.

 New Standards:

Clear and defined standards that doesn’t allow loose interpretations.

:

Our center moved from administering medication unless emergency based. With this in mind PMAT should cover all components considered emergency based such as Benadryl (along with Epi-pens) as written in individual Plan of Action by Doctor. This should also include Inhalers in case of Asthma attack. The expense for full MAT Training when our policy only administers Emergency Base is absurd when PMAT could and should cover these components.

 Special Services:

Allowing children to request second helpings on a daily basis when already providing USDA certified proportions doesn’t lend to promoting long term healthy eating habits.

Emergency Based Medications

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of our preschool.  We only administer medication in emergency situations (SEVERE ALLERGIES/EPIPEN).  I ask that the current PMAT course is changed to include not only the administration of the EPIPEN, but also the administration of BENADRYL.  There is a HUGE disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing in regards to ALLERGIES/EPIPENS.  Many doctors are now prescribing BENADRYL BEFORE administering the EPIPEN.  Half-day preschools  who only administer medication in emergency sitiuations must take the MAT course in order to administer BENADRYL & comply with regulations.  PLEASE consider changing the PMAT course to include the administration of BENADRYL.  It makes sense.  PLEASE HELP us SERVE preschoolers with SEVERE ALLERGIES. 

With allergies and asthma being very common medical action plans, it would be beneficial if PMAT covered both Benadryll (almost always asked to be administered prior to an epipen) and inhalers.  If this were the case, it would be practical for me to have each and every teacher trained in PMAT.

In addition, with the cost for the courses needing to come out of my professional development budget, it would be cost efective to have professional development hours given for MAT, PMAT, and training in The Daily Health Observation. 

It is difficult to maintain excellent substitutes for coverage in the day school setting.  I do not think that required hours of continuing professional development should be required for these individuals.

Kudos for the simplified medical forms on the website!

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of programs that only administer medication in emergency situations.  I ask that the current PMAT course is changed to include not only the administration of the EpiPen, but also the administration of Benadryl.  There is a disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing for emergency medication.  Because many physicians are now prescribing Benadryl BEFORE administering an EpiPen as part of their plan, programs are required to take the MAT course in order to comply with regulations.  MAT certified trainers are limited, the program is not cost effective but cost prohibitive.  Please consider changing the PMAT course to include administration of Benadryl in order for preschool programs to continue serving ALL children with serious allergies.

 

I would like to request a change in the requirement for PMAT vs MAT.  Our preschool administers medication on an emergency basis only (Epi-pens).  The physicians are now adding Benadryl as the first course to the Allergy Action Plan; Epi-pens are to be administered only if the reaction is severe.  In addition, I would like inhaler training to be included in PMAT.  Again, it is used only on an emergency basis.

Thank you for your consideration.

I am asking that the current PMAT training include training for the administering of EPI pens as well as Benedryl. Our school is a half day preschool and only administers medication in emergency situations and now doctors are asking that Benedryl be administered first. The cost of MAT training is very high and more than one person in the school needs to be trained. Please change this so that all preschools can be safe for children with extreme allergies. Thank you.

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of programs that only administer medication in emergency situations.  I ask that the current PMAT course is changed to include not only the administration of the EpiPen, but also the administration of Benadryl.  There is a disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing for emergency medication.  Because many physicians are now prescribing Benadryl BEFORE administering an EpiPen as part of their plan, programs are required to take the MAT course in order to comply with regulations.  MAT certified trainers are limited, the program is not cost effective but cost prohibitive.  Please consider changing the PMAT course to include administration of Benadryl in order for preschool programs to continue serving ALL children with serious allergies.

The current PMAT training does not meet the needs of a half day preschool.  Benadryl is often the first measure prescibed by a physician for a child with a severe allergy.  The PMAT training only allows us to administer an Epipen.  The Mat training is not cost effective for a half day program.  PLEASE change the PMAT training to allow us to administer Benedryl. 

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of programs that only administer medication in emergency situations.  I ask that the current PMAT course is changed to include not only the administration of the EpiPen, but also the administration of Benadryl.  There is a disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing for emergency medication.  Because many physicians are now prescribing Benadryl BEFORE administering an EpiPen as part of their plan, programs are required to take the MAT course in order to comply with regulations.  MAT certified trainers are limited, the program is not cost effective, but cost prohibitive.  Please consider changing the PMAT course to include administration of Benadryl in order for preschool programs to continue serving ALL children with serious allergies.

Thank you for this Town Hall Forum. It is a great way to be an active voice in the community.

I believe the PMAT course does not meet the needs of children with severe allergies. I would like to see the PMAT course changed to include not only the admistration of the EPIPEN, but also the administration of Benadry. There is a missing piece to the puzzle when it comes to what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing to people with allergies/Epipens. Most doctors are now prescribing Benadryl before administering the Epipen. Please consider changing the PMAT course to include the adminstration of Benadry. It will allow Preschool/Day Centers to better serve and project our children.

I would also like to see first aid/CPR, Daily Health Checks/OSHA the MAT and PMAT training count towards the annual trainning requirement. These courses are costly and usually take several hours. Because it is neccessary it should also be counted.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my requests.

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of programs that only administer medication in emergency situations.  I ask that the current PMAT course is changed to include not only the administration of the EpiPen, but also the administration of Benadryl.  There is a disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing for emergency medication.  Because many physicians are now prescribing Benadryl BEFORE administering an EpiPen as part of their plan, programs are required to take the MAT course in order to comply with regulations.  MAT certified trainers are limited, the program is not cost effective but cost prohibitive.  Please consider changing the PMAT course to include administration of Benadryl in order for preschool programs to continue serving ALL children with serious allergies.

Thank you very much.

 

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of programs that only administer medication in emergency situations. I ask that the current PMAT course is changed to include not only the administration of the EpiPen, but also the administration of Benadryl. There is a disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing for emergency medication. Because many physicians are now prescribing Benadryl BEFORE administering an EpiPen as part of their plan, programs are required to take the MAT course in order to comply with regulations. MAT certified trainers are limited, the program is not cost effective but cost prohibitive. Please consider changing the PMAT course to include administration of Benadryl in order for preschool programs to continue serving ALL children with serious allergies.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Please consider changing the guidelines of the PMAT training to include the use of the EpiPen and administering Benadryl in emergency medical situations.  The MAT training is cost prohibitive for our small center.

With allergies and asthma being very common medical action plans, it would be beneficial if PMAT covered both Benadryll (almost always asked to be administered prior to an epipen) and inhalers. If this were the case, it would be practical for me to have each and every teacher trained in PMAT.

In addition, with the cost for the courses needing to come out of my professional development budget, it would be cost efective to have professional development hours given for MAT, PMAT, and training in The Daily Health Observation.

It is difficult to maintain excellent substitutes for coverage in the day school setting. I do not think that required hours of continuing professional development should be required for these individuals.

This is taken from a previous comment but I feel it expresses my opinion/stance perfectly!  Please try to make this a little easier for the 1/2 day preschool centers to administer what the doctors are actually prescribing.

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of programs that only administer medication in emergency situations. I ask that the current PMAT course be changed to include the administration of Benadryl.  There is a disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what physicians are prescribing for emergency situations.  Most food allergy action plans dictate the administration of Benadryl before administering an Epi-pen. 

 PMAT and MAT training should be more inclusive and affordable.  In a large center it is very difficult and expensive to train enough staff to offer continuous coverage on the premises and on field trips.  It seems we hardly get through training before it is time to do it again  PMAT should certainly include the current accepted practices for treating emergencies. All required training should count towards the hours that are required to maintain accepted  practices. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

I am asking that the current PMAT training include training for the administering of EPI pens as well as Benadryl. Our school is a half day preschool and only administers medication in emergency situations and now doctors are asking that Benadryl be administered first. PMAT and MAT training should be more inclusive and affordable.  The cost of MAT training is very high and more than one person in the school needs to be trained.  PMAT should certainly include the current accepted practices for treating emergencies.

In addition, with the cost for the courses needing to come out of my professional development budget, it would be cost effective to have professional development hours given for first aid/CPR, Daily Health Checks/OSHA, MAT, and PMAT. These courses are costly and usually take several hours or up to a day. Because they are neccessary, they should also be counted.  Please change this so that all preschools can be safe for children with extreme allergies. 

 Thank you for the opportunity to voice my concerns.

The new application for renewal requires personal financial information.  Why does the department need to see our financial records and what other businesses are required to hand over this type of information to renew a license?  This is an over reach by the department. 

The current PMAT course does not meet the needs of preschools that have students with a medical plan that requires the administration of Benadryl before administration of the EpiPen.   There is a disconnect between what the PMAT course provides and what doctors are prescribing for emergency medication.  Because many physcians are now prescribing Benadryl before administering an EpiPen as part of their plan, programs are required to take the MAT course in order to comply with regulations.  MAT certified trainers are limited, the program is not cost effective but cost prohibitive.  Please consider changing the PMAT course to include administration of Benadryl in order for preschool programs to continue serving all children with serious allergies. 

Please consider whether or not  the requirement for centers to keep triangular bandages (more than 1, as the "s" implies multiple) in every first aid kit, and activated charcoal in the building is necessary. If so, great. However, if not, please consider removing them from the standards and replacing them with more applicable first aid supplies.

Also,many generic non-antibacterial liquid handsoaps are labeled "keep out of reach of children", while their name brand (and more expensive) equivalents are not. As a result, centers cannot allow children to use these specfic products, even though the ingredients are no different than the name-brand product.  If the ingredients are the same, why is one not appropriate for use, but the other is?

The current PMAT training does not meet the needs of a half a day program.  Physicians now prescribe Benadryl as the first measure for a child with severe allergies.  The PMAT training only allows us to administer an Epipen.  MAT training is not cost effective.  Please consider with deep thought about changing the PMAT regulations so that we can administer Benedryl.  Thank You!