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A HELPING HAND

Most active members of PCOC know about the two main charities PCOC operates: PCOC Cares and the PCOC Scholarship. But many don't think about the idea of what a district can do to help others beyond our industry. The San Diego district is a great example of what a district can do to make a difference.

The San Diego district has done much to help support the Polinsky Children's Center. The Center is a 24-hour facility that provides shelter for children who have been removed from their homes for their own safety due to abuse, neglect or their parents' inability to care for them.

Rick Arendt, owner of American Pest Control, first approached his district eight years ago about doing a Christmas gift card drive for the Polinsky Center because many of the kids go there with nothing but what they are wearing. As a former child abuse detective, Rick has had first-hand experience with placing children in the Center. He said, "Can you imagine a child being removed from their home/school/day care with only what they are wearing? We try to make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable. We not only donate toys, but clothing for all ages, blankets, hair dryers, curling irons, sports equipment, books, etc." They also give several hundred dollars in gift cards.

He also told me that the annual population of the center is about 2,500-3,500 children per year, ranging from newborns to 18-year-olds. The center has residential cottages, an infant nursery, medical clinic, school, library, cafeteria, gym, playground and baseball field. It is a secure facility, assuring safety for all involved.

I have found with my short time at PCOC, there are many generous members who try to help where they can. Even in a struggling economy and a state that is not the most conducive to businesses, many in PCOC still remember that there are others less fortunate, and they don't do so for tax breaks or notoriety but because they care. "It's a great cause and I am truly thankful for all that contribute," Rick explained. "I was especially touched by other districts outside of San Diego that also helped this year."

DPR PROPOSED CONTINUING EDUCATION (DPR Regulation No. 13-001)

The Department of Pesticide Regulation proposes to amend sections 6512 and 6513 of Title 3, California Code of Regulations. The proposed changes would require continuing education (CE) sponsors to provide additional information when submitting CE applications for evaluation and approval; set forth criteria for obtaining approval from DPR for online and correspondence CE courses; require CE sponsors and license and certificate holders to retain additional information in their records and require CE sponsors to give license and certificate holders a record of course or program completion. They are also proposing to revise the following application forms: Continuing Education Approval DPR-PML-131 (rev. 8/11) and Continuing Education Additional Presentation Request DPR-PML-132 (rev. 8/11).

Section 6512 broadly outlines what is required of sponsors when submitting CE course applications for content evaluation and approval. However, the current regulations were established when most CE courses were classroom based. Now, a variety of CE course types include correspondence, interactive, online, narrated online and non-interactive (text-based) online courses.

Currently, section 6513 includes the recordkeeping requirements for CE sponsors and license and certificate holders. CE sponsors are required to keep records in order to maintain an accurate account of each DPR approved course, who attended and how much CE credit they received. License and certificate holders must keep records for renewal purposes because they are required to provide DPR with information about their completed CE courses.

A public hearing has been scheduled to receive oral comments regarding the proposed regulatory changes. Date: April 23, 2013. Time: 9:30 a.m. Place: CalEPA Building 1001 I St., Sacramento in the Sierra Hearing Room.

Or you may present comments in writing by no later than 5 p.m. on April 24, 2013. You can email dpr13001@cdpr.ca.gov or fax to (916) 324-1452.

Many of us who have applied for continuing education approval for courses we were holding have spoken with Karen Costly. For many years she has been the person we go to for issues with our courses or for time-sensitive approvals. She has been a valued asset to our industry. She just recently retired from the board, and I would just like to say good luck to her in her retirement. I have had a chance to speak with her replacement, Valerie Connolly. She followed up with me via email and on the phone regarding some CE I had requested. She was very kind and quite helpful. I would ask that all of us in the industry try to help her out in any way we can as she settles in and learns this new position.

Dow AgroSciences will be sponsoring the 2013 Fumigation Banner Contest. The rules are the same as last year, and we have provided a link for you to view the complete set of rules here. The contest will run from March 1 through May 31, 2013. There will be four winners again this year.

Please email submissions to josh@pcoc.org.

Pest Control Operators of California
www.pcoc.org

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