BCHC Nurses Trained to Help Navigate Car Seat Safety
By: Aprill Murphy
Albion, NE (June 24, 2026)-Boone County Health Center is continuing its commitment to keeping children safe by certifying two registered nurses as Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs).
Angie Schalk, RN, and Maria Kinney, RN, completed the nationally recognized certification program in April. The intense week-long training is based on curriculum developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and guided by the National Child Passenger Safety Board, a program managed by the National Safety Council. The training combines classroom instruction and hands-on experience, and technicians must complete continuing education and recertify every two years to maintain their credentials.
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are specially trained to help parents and caregivers correctly install and use car seats and booster seats, educate families on child passenger safety, and provide guidance on when children are ready to transition to the next stage of restraint. Improper installation and premature transitions are common concerns, making education and hands-on assistance especially important.
At Boone County Health Center, car seat safety education starts before a baby arrives. Obstetric patients receive education during pregnancy, and before leaving the hospital. Newborn car seats are checked to help ensure they are properly installed and that parents feel confident bringing their baby home safely.
“Car seats are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment parents will ever use, but they can also be confusing,” said Schalk. “Our goal is to help families feel confident and provide education that grows with their child.”
Schalk and Kinney are succeeding Nicole Levander, who served as Boone County Health Center’s certified car seat technician for the past 18 years.
In addition to assisting newborn families, Schalk and Kinney are available to provide car seat checks and education for children of all ages. During appointments, they review proper installation, harness fit, expiration dates, recalls, and recommendations for moving to the next type of seat as children grow.
Parents interested in scheduling a car seat check or receiving car seat safety education are encouraged to contact their primary care provider’s office or clinic to arrange an appointment.