Children are among the highest risk populations for contracting a tick-borne disease. Increased time spent outdoors playing and their general lack of knowledge about ticks and tick-borne diseases increases their risk. It is important that children are taught early how to identify a tick, proper prevention techniques, and safe tick removal.  In January 2022, the Virginia legislature passed Bill HB 850 that will require the Secretary of Education in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Secretary of Natural Resources to help school boards and local and regional public libraries establish an education and awareness program to protect children from Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases by 2028.  

Ticks in Virginia wants to help teachers and schools with free, evidence-based instructional materials and curriculum that can be implemented this year. In the fall of 2022, a survey was distributed to Central Virginia health and physical education (HPE) teachers to assess their knowledge and awareness of TBDs and their willingness to implement a curriculum about TBDs in the future. The study was approved by the University of Lynchburg's Institutional Review Board and will be replicated with all health and physical education teachers across Virginia later in 2023.

A total of 40 Central VA HPE teachers participated in the survey. Only 10% of the teachers had ever incorporated any tick-borne disease information into their curriculum. Two out of every three teachers said they would be willing to implement a TBD curriculum. A website with downloadable resources was the most popular choice as a method of receiving the curriculum (66.7%), second was receiving a paper copy (12.8%), and third was an in person presentation (12.8%).  

"Fight the Bight" curriculum and instructional materials have been developed for varying grade levels and are currently being piloted with future teachers and children in Central Virginia. Curriculum and materials will be available for download here later in 2023.