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Teens Trained in ‘Safe-Sitter’ Techniques

By Misti McDonald
Moapa Valley Progress
Published June 30, 2010

Do you worry about your child choking while with a babysitter? Do you fear your child, while left with a sitter, may get into the medicine cabinet, the cleaning supplies or even the pantry?

Last week the Cappalappa Family Resource Center hosted a program called “Safe Sitter” where they explored these possibilities and how to effectively avoid them. It was a five day training program for adolescents age 11-13.

Each day had a different theme with appropriate decorations, which explained the huge great white shark and killer whale which hung from the ceiling; it was “Under the Sea” day.

“We had 14 attendee’s this year with one repeat from last year, said Cappalappa administrator, Penny Vallone. “It was a good turn out!”

“Safe Sitter” is a non profit organization founded in 1980 by Indianapolis pediatrician Dr. Patricia A. Keener whose colleague’s 18 month old child choked to death under the care of an adult sitter. Feeling disturbed by the situation she decided to do something about it and began educational seminars at the local elementary school. The information was then codified into the “Safe Sitter” program.

The primary goal of “Safe Sitter” is to teach safe childcare to adolescents ages 11-13, founded on medically accurate information. The program covers such topics as: Babysitting as a Business, Success on the Job, Child Care Essentials, Safety for the Sitter, Injury Management, Preventing Problem Behavior, Care of a Choking Infant, and Care of a Choking Child. It also introduces Preventing Injuries and Behavior Management.

Young Kayla Moffatt was excited about the program and her new skills for managing children. “If the kids are misbehaving I know to just use distractions, play games, and stay calm!” she said with a smile.

Before finishing the training, each participant must pass a written exam proving mastery of key concepts. Students must also demonstrate acceptable skills in care of the choking infant/child and must demonstrate acceptable skills in infant/child CPR and the ability to apply injury and behavior management techniques and self-introduction skills.

Cappalappa had a child-sized CPR mannequin on site for the kids to practice their skills. “I liked learning the CPR techniques and I also liked the theme changes each day,” said Anelle Cooper a participant of the program.

Cappalappa does not release the names of the participants of the program so finding a sitter who has successfully completed the “Safe Sitter” program may be challenging, but if you have a sitter in mind who may benefit from this program I would highly recommend you refer them to the website.

For more information on the Safe Sitter program go to Safesitter.org.

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