Babysitting Academy & Safe Sitter 4-H SPARK Clubs

Teens Learn Child Development and CPR/First Aid Skills

According to the Indiana Youth Institute 2021 County Snapshot, the total youth population for Jefferson County is 6,634 youth between the ages of 0-17. However, there are only 2 Licensed Center Childcare Providers listed for Jefferson County. With such a large youth population, it is essential to have more options for safe and affordable childcare. In order to help meet this need and equip teens with the skills necessary to care for themselves and younger children, Purdue Extension Jefferson County has offered 2 separate babysitting SPARK Clubs during the 2021-2022 program year.

The Babysitting Academy 4-H SPARK Club was held in February of 2022. In total, 8 youth participated in the program and learned key child development, healthy living, and CPR/First Aid skills. In partnership with Norton King’s Daughters’ Health, each participant received an American Heart Association Heartsaver certificate. The course was taught through a 6-hour event that featured CPR/First Aid lessons taught by a Norton KDH Heartsaver Instructor and child development and healthy living lessons facilitated by the Extension Educator.

After the success of Babysitting Academy, the Extension Educator was awarded a Professional Development Grant from the Indiana Youth Institute to pursue becoming a Safe Sitter Independent Instructor. Safe Sitter is a nationally recognized program that teaches 6th-8th grade youth how to be safe when home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. In addition to the Safe Sitter training, the educator was also trained by Norton KDH to be a certified Heartsaver Instructor. With both certifications, the educator was able to host the first Safe Sitter 4-H SPARK Club in December of 2022.

The Safe Sitter 4-H SPARK Club had 12 total youth attend. Of those participants, 8 youth were new to 4-H. Youth participated in the Safe Sitter Essentials Training with CPR. This training included safety, first aid and rescue, child care, and life and business skills taught by the Extension Educator. All CPR manikins were graciously provided by Norton KDH for the training. As a result, all 12 participants received a nationally recognized Safe Sitter Certificate.

Looking Forward

The Safe Sitter 4-H SPARK Club will be offered again this spring!

Thank you to these partners:

Impact

4-H Common Measures 2.0: Healthy Living: Healthy Decision Making was administered to collect impact.

8 youth completed the Safe Sitter 4-H SPARK Club.

Most youth (85.7%) reported they encourage their friends to make responsible choices

All of youth (100%) reported they talked about risky behaviors during the 4-H program.

Of the 8 participants, 1 participant was new to 4-H.

12 youth completed the Safe Sitter 4-H SPARK Club.

All youth (100%) reported they encourage their friends to make responsible choices. All youth (100%) reported that the three risky behaviors (drinking alcohol, smoking and taking drugs) were not okay.

Of the 12 participants, 8 youth were new to 4-H.