FOX 5- Elijah's law, new guidelines for NYS Childcare facilities.

"Thomas and his wife Dina Hawthorne-Silvera have worked relentlessly to make sure that no

Building for the expansion of Elijah’s Law

other family suffers as they have. New York’s State, Elijah’s Law is first of its kind legislation that requires all daycare programs to implement guidelines to prevent, and train to recognize and respond to anaphylactic reactions. The law expanded on existing anaphylaxis protocols that protect and accommodate New York students in grades K–12.

Thomas Silvera, sees momentum building for the expansion of Elijah’s Law. Besides Illinois, he’s working with legislators and advocates for similar bills in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, California and New Hampshire and several other states. Representative Jonathan Carroll, the sponsor of the Illinois bill, says that his bill would “tighten” anaphylaxis training that is already required by law in Illinois schools, and would add daycare centers.

The Silvera's feel proud of their accomplishments and know they have more work to do. “I didn’t know this was the path that was going to be chosen for me,” says Silvera. “To provide care to children in need, to protect them from everything.”

That protection is starting to be implemented in New York State. On March 15, all licensed child-care programs in the state received Elijah’s Law policy and updated enrollment forms, which are available online"-Allergic Living Magazine, By Jen Jobrack March 17th,2021