The Children's and Families' Protection Act (CFPA) Implementation Guide

A Citizens Guide To Ensure Pesticide Use Reduction in Massachusetts Schools and Daycare Centers 

Pesticides Pose a Threat to Public Health and Safety.

Pesticides have been linked to learning disorders, asthma, neurological disorders, organophosphate poisoning, cancer, and hormone disruption and chemical sensitization.

Pesticides are particularly dangerous to children.

• Children have a faster metabolic rate than adults, so they incorporate toxic chemicals into their bodies at a quicker rate.
   
• Children are smaller and so are exposed to a higher level of toxic chemical per pound of body weight.

The Children's and Families' Protection Act (CFPA), when implemented, will limit exposure of these toxic chemicals. As detailed in the fact sheet, the Act has four sections:

• Section One places strict limitations on pesticide use within schools.
   
• Section Two requires notification to all parents, school personnel and children when pesticides are applied outside.
   
• Section Three requires record keeping of all pest management efforts within schools.
   
• Section Four requires the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. IPM is a focus on prevention.

Why do Residents Need this Guide?

• State government does not have the resources to properly ensure implementation of CFPA. Implementation of CFPA will be difficult, with more than 300 distinct school districts in the state.
   
• The Department of Food and Agriculture (DFA) enforcement practices concerning pesticides may not be aggressive enough to ensure safe and healthy environments for our children.
   
• As with the implementation of any law, local residents may prove to be the best watchdogs, as the health and safety of their children is at stake.
   
• This law calls for a change in attitudes, and procedures for pest control. In order to make this a reality, not only do residents need to educate their school administrators and advocate for the health of the children, but should get involved in the implementation of the law. 

Your work will be vital in ensuring your school district successfully implements this act with the true intent of the law is in place. This guide will help you get started. Toxics Action Center staff will offer assistance throughout the process. Through educating your school district and connecting them to resources you can develop an excellent partnership with your town officials.

Step One: General Knowledge

The goal of this step is to find out who is responsible for pest control at your municipality's schools and who is in charge of implementing CFPA.

Call the School Superintendent's office to ask:

1. Are you familiar with the CFPA?
    
2. Who is currently responsible for pest management in our school  system?
    
3. Who is in charge of pest control on the school fields?
    
4. Does this municipality contract out the work of pesticide application for inside school facilities? For outside facilities?
    
5. May I have a copy of these contracts?

Step Two: Meet with Pest Control Implementers to Fill out the Questionnaire.

The goal of this step is to understand the pest issues in the schools and to find out how the implementation is progressing. We recommend bringing two people to the meeting.

See questionnaire below.

Step Three: Evaluate Your Municipality's Progress

Contact Toxics Action Center with the results of your questionnaire. Our staff will help you analyze how your municipality is progressing and discuss what next the next steps are.

Step Four: Ensuring Proper Implementation

If your municipality is moving ahead with implementation, Toxics Action Center staff will help you develop and implement plans to ensure that the implementation continues in the proper manner.

If your municipality is not taking proper steps for implementation, staff will help you develop a plan to put appropriate pressure on town officials to implement the law. Residents may use the media, write letters to town officials and or build a coalition of individuals and groups to ensure implementation.

Children's and Families' Protection Act Pest Control Questionnaire

A. Understanding the pest issue in your school system:

1. What is the biggest pest problem that you face?
2. What do you expect the biggest roadblock to implementation of CFPA?

B. Verifying Implementation Requirements:

1. Who is developing the IPM plan?
2. How is the plan progressing? Will the public be able to see and comment on a draft?
3. Is the notification plan in place?
4. Is the record keeping system in place?

C. The IPM Implementation Team:

1. Who will be the members on your IPM team?
2. How do you plan to implement your IPM program?