State agencies can work together to ensure children are better protected from harmful environmental chemicals. Learn how to create a safe siting program in your state.

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Form partnerships

✔ Reach out to other state, county, or local agencies to collaborate

✔ Consider partnering with departments of public health, community planning, licensing, environmental protection, and zoning

Identify ways to strengthen licensing policies

✔ Review current rules, policies, and practices for locating ECE programs in your area

✔ Look for environmental health risks that might have been missed

Build on existing resources

✔ Don’t start from scratch when developing your program — look for ways to create a safe siting program without additional funding or staff

✔ Use current programs as models Implement the program

✔ Educate staff and other agencies about the value of safe siting and how the program works

✔ Find ECE programs and locations with potential issues — and if you find problems, follow up

✔ Track your successes — and refine your program based on feedback

ATSDR’s Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education offers state agencies the resources they need to create new safe siting coalitions. We’re dedicated to making sure that ECE programs are located safely — and that children are protected from dangerous chemicals during their care.

Check out our Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education Toolkit.

You’ll find a tool for choosing a safe location, a copy of our complete guidelines, and more essential information.

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/safeplacesforECE

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CSPECE_infographic_508.pdf