One issue that is very important to me is the safety and well-being of Hoosier children. Protecting and caring for our children is one of our most critical tasks. With the changing weather conditions, it is important to remember how to best ensure our children are prepared in any situation. When the flowers start to bloom and the sunshine makes its way back to Indiana, the layers of coats and gloves fly off and are forgotten about until winter returns. It is very easy for these items to be misplaced in the meantime. Not being appropriately dressed for the cold weather can be much more serious than people think. Winter weather can be particularly dangerous for children. Their bodies lose heat much more rapidly than adults and the largest proportions of heat are lost through their head and hands. This is why children need multiple layers when they go outside including scarves, hats and gloves. It only takes minutes for exposed skin to become frostbitten if the temperature is below 20 degrees and the wind is blowing at 20 miles per hour or more. Frostbite is much easier to prevent than it is to treat. The lesser the amount of skin exposed to the cold air, the better. Along these same lines, children need information in case weather conditions change while they are at school. In extreme cases, students may be dismissed from school early, and this can be a very chaotic time for everyone involved. Planning for situations like this ahead of time provides peace of mind for the child and the parent. Parents can arrange to pick their child up at a specific location or have a family member do so. The parent and child should have a mutually agreed upon code word in order to ensure that an unauthorized person is not trying to leave the school with the child. If that is not an option, the child should have a house key so that they can get in even if their parent is not home. It is very important that they not be standing outside in the cold by themselves with no idea what to do. Our children should always be a top priority. This is why I authored House Bill 1160, which recently passed the House. This bill requires a national background check for school employees. By conducting a national background check, school administrators are able to examine a more comprehensive background check and ensure that potential job candidates have a clean history. Our job is to protect them whether it be through bills we pass at the Statehouse or as simple as putting hats and gloves on them before they leave the house. I understand that many families struggle with these basic needs, however there is help available. Harrison County Community Services (HCCS) has been helping Hoosier families since 1976. Located at 101 Highway 62 West in Corydon, HCCS provides winter coats and gloves to families and children in need. Their local office has a room designated to meeting these needs and allows children the opportunity to pick out what they like. For more information on these services, visit their website at www.hccsi.net or contact them directly at 812-738-8143. As your State Representative for District 70, I hope to be your ally in Indianapolis. It is important for me to hear your views and concerns on the important issues facing our state. Feel free to contact me by phone at 317-234-3827 or by email at h70@in.gov. -30- |
