Another new study has revealed that Wyoming and Connecticut have the highest percentage of pedestrians and cyclists involved in crashes in school zones in America.

 The ranking, created by injury lawyers Bader Scott, analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data revealing the number of pedestrians and cyclists involved in motor vehicle crashes in school zones between 2014 and 2021. This study reveals the states with the highest and lowest percentages of pedestrians and cyclists involved in school zone crashes. 

The study found that Wyoming has the highest percentage of pedestrians and cyclists involved in crashes in school zones. The total number of pedestrians and cyclists who were involved in fatal crashes in this state was 68, two of which were in a school zone. Therefore, the percentage of pedestrians and cyclists involved in school zone crashes is 2.94%.

Connecticut is the second most dangerous state for pedestrians and cyclists at risk of crashing in a school zone, with 2.38% of pedestrians and cyclists involved in a school zone crash. In total, during this timeframe, 11 pedestrians and one cyclist were involved in fatal crashes in school zones, making this state the second worst state in the US for school zone crashes.  

The state with the third highest percentage of crashes involving both pedestrians and cyclists is Iowa, at 2.25%. Iowa has witnessed five pedestrians and one cyclist be fatally injured as a result of a collision in a school zone. Delaware ranks fourth; Pennsylvania and New York rank fifth and sixth place.

A spokesperson from Bader Scott commented on the findings, pointing out that “This study is a clear indication of the most dangerous states in the US for pedestrians and cyclists in school zones, and for many families, it might be shocking to see that whether you live in a highly populated state like New York or one of the least populated states like Wyoming, the number of people in the state is irrelevant when it comes to fatalities in school areas. 

“The findings suggest that it is more dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists in any of the top ten states when travelling through a school zone, which is why they must take extra caution, especially if they have small children who might not be paying attention to the roads.”

Connecticut is launching a new apprenticeship program to train workers for home-based childcare jobs. 

The first-of-its-kind program in the state aims to help fill high-demand jobs in the industry. 

“Our nation is experiencing a childcare crisis—one where spots are scarce and costs are increasingly climbing,” said Gov. Ned Lamont. “Connecticut is not immune.

“Affordable childcare shouldn’t be a privilege or a perk.

“Expanding the workforce in this field means increasing access to childcare for all workers and helping parents pursue meaningful and successful employment.”

The federally backed Family Childcare Registered Apprenticeship Program is a coordinated partnership between the Department of Labor, Office of Early Childhood and SEIU. 

Apprenticeship Program

The administration said the goal is to partner with families and communities to create appropriate care, improve the quality of early care and education, and value the work that childcare providers perform.

Participants will work a minimum of 2,000 hours and spend hundreds of hours in the classroom. 

Upon completion, they will have the Child Development Associate and National Association for Family Childcare credentials. 

Officials say those credentials raise the wages for providers, improve future earning power, and lift the quality of home-based early childhood education programs. 

OEC commissioner Beth Bye said the program will “help address a significant workforce shortage in the industry.”

Finding Solutions

A report from Ready Nation found the nation’s economy loses $122 billion annually from a lack of infant and toddler care.

Connecticut’s economy alone loses $1.5 billion annually due to diminished access to infant and toddler care. 

“This is a good step to help solve one of the state’s biggest challenges,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima. 

“The childcare industry is the workforce behind the workforce. Without access to quality, affordable childcare, businesses will struggle to attract new workers.”

In March, Lamont established Connecticut’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Childcare.

The panel, composed of early childhood providers, business leaders, policymakers, and community leaders, is developing a strategic plan for an accessible, equitable, high-quality, and affordable childcare system for all families in Connecticut. 

“For Connecticut to reach its full economic potential, we need to address the childcare crisis,” said DiPentima, a member of the panel.

“That means looking at all solutions to create a sustainable system that will not only lead to meaningful careers, but also make childcare more affordable for businesses and families.”

The panel is expected to release its recommendations by January 2024.

Last month, DOL reported that center-based child care payrolls reached employment highs of 15,700 workers employed in the state, which is above pre-pandemic levels. 

Data from OEC identifies 1,822 home-based family care centers in Connecticut. 

For so many of us, if it’s Oprah approved then we’re going to check it out. Now whether we buy the item or not will always depend on price and if we even need or want the item for ourselves or someone else.

No matter what, this iconic list that started in 1996 as one of the most highly anticipated segments on The Oprah Winfrey Show continued after the end of her show in 2010 in O, The Oprah Magazine, and just about every entertainment section of various publications that publishes the list when it comes up each December.

So while we get excited to sift through the annual list of Oprah’s Favorite Things, imagine how it must feel if you’re a company that makes the list.

Congratulations to WanderFull out of Fairfield County, Connecticut for making the 2023 Oprah’s Favorite Things list that I found in Town and Country Magazine. They’re stylish water bottle bags that look like mini puffer coats with various colors, sizes, and styles.

Like so many, I literally drop my water bottle into my handbag making sure the lid is extra tight so nothing spills so honestly this is everything right now.

According to the WanderFull website, the two founders from Westport are moms who each have three kids and know that life gets busy and running around staying hydrated is important but not always easy. Katie Hill works in the fashion industry while Lisa Watkins is in brand management. Together they created a cute bag that not only holds your water bottle but other essentials you may need to make life easier.

The name of the company is Liberty Hill Brands and according to the WanderFull website, this water bottle puffer bag is their first brand with more items to come including a man bag.

You can read more about this dynamic duo on the Oprah Daily website.