Bilingual Food Safety Certification Program for Childcare Facilities using Traditional and Technologically Advanced Delivery Mehthods

<ol> <li>A food safety course will be developed for licensed and non-licensed childcare centers. An Advisory Group will provide input on the curriculum enhancements and implementation of the project. The traditional course curriculum will include a variety of teaching tools. MSU-ES home economists will deliver the educational program and administer an exam. Development of the technologically advanced course will be accomplished through coordination between the project team, the MSU Center for Education and Training Technology and the MSU Agricultural Communication Department for the development of this delivery system.
<li>The implementation phase of the project will begin at approximately month 18 and will continue for 12 months. 20 to 30 childcare centers will be included in each of the delivery method groups.
<li>TRADITIONAL DELIVER GROUP - Caregiver identification number (CIN) for data control will be assigned. Prior to beginning the food safety curriculum, they will complete a pre-knowledge test to determine their overall baseline food safety knowledge. Throughout the course, review questions will be given at the conclusion of each section and a test upon completion of the curriculum. The post test will be used for statistical comparison with the pre-knowledge test. This test will also serve as a review for the caregiver as they prepare for the final knowledge exam. The final knowledge exam score will also be used as a measure of success. TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED DELIVERY GROUP - Caregiver identification number (CIN) will be assigned. Prior to beginning the food safety curriculum, they will complete a pre-knowledge test to determine their overall baseline food safety knowledge. At the end of each section, they will complete questions to determine their level of comprehension of the material covered. Upon completion of the curriculum, a post-knowledge test will be administered for statistical comparison with the pre-knowledge test. This test will also serve as a review for the caregiver as they prepare for the final knowledge exam. The final knowledge exam score will also be used as a measure of success. </ol>
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Foodborne illnesses is a major public health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that foodborne diseases cause approximately 76 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Diarrheal disease in child care centers is a common occurrence. An estimated 34% of children attending day care centers and child caregivers are stricken with diarrheal disease each year. Child care issues are a concern as the number of women in the labor force continues to rise. The U.S. DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by the year 2010, women will account for 48% of the labor force in America. Foodborne illnesses continue to be a major public health concern. This is especially true as it applies to children. As more women with preschool and school-age children enter the labor force concerns related to child care issues continue to surface. The issues include the quality of child care, the diversity of the labor force, the high employee turn over rate and the need for on going, accessible training. As educational institutions move toward new delivery techniques and technology they must not lose sight of the fact that a large percentage of the population is not technology driven and do not have access to technology. This project is proposing to develop and implement a food safety course for child care centers through traditional and technologically advanced delivery methods.