Youth Services Litigation Blog : Georgia Youth-Serving Organization Lawyer & Attorney : Debbie Ausburn Law Firm : Youth Camps, Day Care, Social Services

A few weeks ago, I spoke at the Georgia Association of Young Children (GAYC) annual conference, and in late September, I spoke at the conference for the Southeastern Section of the American Camping Association.  I thoroughly enjoyed both conferences.  It always is good to re-connect with old friends, and to remember why I enjoy so much working with people who work with kids.  

My topic in both seminars was how to implement the recent CDC guidelines on "Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in Youth-Serving Organizations" (PDF available here).   I helped edit the final report (finding my name on the acknowledgements page was pretty cool), and was impressed with how much work went into the project.  Given the CDC's stature, these guidelines are likely to become an important standard in the field.  The CDC imprimatur also means that the guidelines are likely to show up in lawsuits. Plenty of directors will find themselves answering a lawyer's question, "Did YOU implement the CDC's recommendation on page 4?" 

I hope to be at the ACA's National Conference in February.  If you're there, be sure to look me up and introduce yourself.

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Yet another expert report warns against yet another common (and educational) classroom tradition. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a policy statement warning against nontraditional pets in homes with children under 5.  The report also warns against taking children younger than 5 to petting zoos and other public places with exotic animals.  Although the report says nothing about classrooms, presumably the logic would apply to preschools and day care centers.

An AP article summarizes the reasons for the warning

Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says. Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems plus they often put their hands in their mouths.

The list of pets that the AAP considers to be "nontraditional" includes turtles, hamsters, baby chicks, and hedgehogs.

Hat tip: DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

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A recent issue of Pediatrics journal reports an interesting study of scald burns in young children.   The study's authors found that a surprising number of young children were injured from getting hot liquids out of a microwave, while others were scalded by an older child carrying or cooking hot liquid.

Not surprisingly, the authors recommend close supervision of young children and further studies.

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This recent story from New Jersey illustrates a growing problem for schools, day care centers, and other organizations where children gather.  Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus areus (MRSA) infections are becoming more common, and more resistant to traditional antibiotic treatments.   We are seeing more lawsuits involving MRSA, usually based on claims that a child contracted it because the center (a) allowed infected children or staff members to continue attending the facility, or (b) failed to adequately disinfect common areas.

Some of the lawsuits are based on misconceptions, such as a belief that anyone suffering from MRSA should be quarantined.  The Centers for Disease Control has a very helpful webpage outlining what schools and other organizations can do to prevent and/or respond to MRSA.  Many state and local health departments also have pages on their websites.

Because the infection is becoming so common, be sure that you are taking precautions recommended by the health departments in your area.  Educate yourself about the initial symptoms, and what your licensing agency requires as far as reporting cases to health authorities and/or notifying other parents.

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