School Health Partners with Pennsylvania Office to Provide CO Devices for Child Care Facilities
May 1, 2023
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – School Health and the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) are partnering to distribute and provide free carbon monoxide detectors to certified child care providers throughout the state. This program will be available until September 30, 2023.
This initiative comes after a carbon monoxide leak at a Pennsylvania child care facility in the fall of last year. The Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Dr. Val Arkoosh, announced the partnership for providers to help increase safety among staff and children.
“Partnering with OCDEL allows School Health to continue our mission of supporting students so they can learn and develop to the best of their abilities,” said Rob Rogers, School Health President. “By working together to provide these devices, we can ensure safer learning environments for child care facilities across the state.”
Since carbon monoxide cannot be detected by human senses, thousands of people are treated for CO poisoning and hundreds more die of prolonged exposure every year in the US. Because it has no color, taste, or smell, carbon monoxide detectors can alert users of the gas before harmful exposure occurs. Weakness, nausea, dizziness, headache, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion are the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“We have been hearing from our child care programs and partners how much they appreciate this opportunity to add another layer of protection for their children and staff,” said Shante’ Brown, Deputy Secretary for OCDEL. “School Health has been instrumental in this initiative, and we hope we are raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of having detectors installed.”
About School Health Corporation
Founded in 1957, School Health Corporation has been dedicated to helping school-based health professionals in keeping their students healthy. As a national, full-service provider of health supplies and services, School Health’s comprehensive offering includes health supplies, sports medicine equipment, early childhood products, physical education, recreation and athletic products, and special needs aids. School Health goes beyond merely supplying products by also providing product support, training, advisory services, and exceptional customer care.
About Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) administers home visiting, child care, child care assistance, early intervention and pre-kindergarten programs funded through the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Human Services. To increase access to high-quality early learning services, OCDEL sets quality program standards, comprehensive accountability, and family engagement to help child and families reach their full potential.