For immediate release
TORONTO, ON – October 19, 2016 – Food Allergy Canada is building on the success of its online anaphylaxis training program with the launch of its third course, Anaphylaxis in Child Care Settings: What Staff/Caregivers Need to Know. This free, bilingual, medically-reviewed resource is designed for child care staff/caregivers in both home-based and centre-based child care facilities.
Available at allergyaware.ca, this course teaches the basics of anaphylaxis and what can be done to help keep young children at risk of serious allergic reactions safe. The course uses best practices in instructional design and multimedia learning, incorporates graphics, videos, mini-case studies, step-by-step visual guides, and provides a personalized certificate upon successful completion.
“The Anaphylaxis in Child Care Settings course provides an informative and accessible way to learn more about such an important topic,” said Lee Anne Kelly, Program Director, Schoolhouse Playcare Centres of Durham, Ontario. “The course content is easy to follow and relevant for centre and family/home providers alike.”
Food allergy is the leading cause of potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions among children, and is an important public health concern. According to a recent study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, there were approximately 170,000 allergy-related emergency department visits in 2013-2014, and the visits for anaphylaxis have nearly doubled in 7 years.* There is no way of predicting how severe an allergic reaction may be, and to date there is no known cure for food allergy, making avoidance of allergens the only means of staying safe. In addition to food, there are allergen risks from medication as well as insect stings, which become especially important during the warmer months.
“We are pleased to broaden the Allergy Aware course offerings to include one for child care professionals,” said Laurie Harada, Executive Director, Food Allergy Canada. “This latest online course features the information and resources needed to help ensure the safety of children with potentially life-threatening allergies, whether they are in a centre or family/home-based setting.”
Food Allergy Canada is also announcing the giveaway of a “Kyle Dine & Friends” food allergy education DVD to the first 25 people who submit their Anaphylaxis in Child Care Settings certificate of completion. Learn more at foodallergycanada.ca and allergyaware.ca.
Developed with Leap Learning Technologies Inc. and in collaboration with the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Anaphylaxis in Child Care Settings is compatible with mobile devices – it can be viewed on an iPad or other mobile devices (e.g. tablets, smartphones) as well as desktops and laptops.
The Association of Allergists and Immunologists of Quebec reviewed the French language content; and research and evaluation assistance was provided by AllerGen NCE (Allergy, Genes and Environment Network) Inc. and McMaster University. Funding and other support was provided by provincial and territorial governments, private donors, and premier founding sponsor, TELUS.
* Canadian Institute for Health Information, Anaphylaxis and Allergy in the Emergency Department, 2015. The time period of the emergency department visits for anaphylaxis covered 2007-2008 to 2013-2014.
About Food Allergy Canada
Food Allergy Canada is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians with food allergies and those who care for them. The organization is committed to creating a safer world for people with potentially life-threatening allergies through education, advocacy, and research. The organization’s approach to reducing the risk of allergic reactions in both children and adults is focused on self-management, community engagement, understanding, and respect. For more information, please visit foodallergycanada.ca.
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For more information please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Empower Consulting, for Food Allergy Canada
416-996-0767
christopherholcroft@hotmail.ca