FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Catholic Charities Program, Safe@Home, Teaches Students How To Be Safe When Distance Learning Alone at Home
PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Dec. 15, 2020: A new Catholic Charities Community Services program will teach students who are distance learning how to be safe and help ease concerns by parents who have to work outside the home.
Safe@Home by Safe Sitter® is a 90-minute online program designed for students in grades 4-5 that teaches students how to practice safe habits, how to prevent unsafe situations and what do to when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Students also will learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries through the Safe Sitter® First Aid Chart.
The program was developed by Catholic Charities’ North Star Youth Partnership’s Youth Development Coordinator Kasey Shaver in response to the recent announcement that schools in Prescott and Prescott Valley will move to distance learning due to increasing cases of COVID-19 in Yavapai County.
“With the recent notifications of schools going back to online teaching, now more than ever, students are distance learning and some, because their parents are working, are home alone by themselves all day,” said Shaver. “Safe@Home is ideal for students who have expressed interest in assuming the responsibility of staying home alone. The program teaches how to stay home alone safely as well as care for younger children.”
Cost for the program is $15 and includes the Safe@Home student booklet. For the current class schedule and to register, visit northstaryouth.org/safe-sitter-training.
Students completing Safe@Home interested in learning more can enroll in a comprehensive Safe Sitter® course such as Safe Sitter® Essentials, Safe Sitter Essentials with CPR or Safe Sitter® Expanded.
“Staying home alone is a big responsibility and all preteens need maturity and confidence to take on that responsibility,” DeLong said. “They also need to be
comfortable with the idea of being home unsupervised. And, it is important that parents agree their child is ready to take on this responsibility and be available to support them as needed.”
Here are five questions to ask before letting a child stay home alone:
• Are they at least 10 years old?
• Do they want to stay at home?
• Are they independent?
• Have they had any safety training?
• Have you worked with them to prepare for when you’re not at home?
For more information, contact Northstar Youth Partnership at (928) 708-7214 or visit www.northstaryouth.org. For more information about Catholic Charities, visit www.catholiccharitiesaz.org or call 602-285-1999.
The Safe@Home program, and other Prescott area programs are made possible by the generous gift from the Estate of Raymond and Jeanie Jenkins. Their love for their community was evident and we are grateful for their investment in the community
Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in central and northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early education, affordable housing, veteran services, refugee resettlement, and homeless outreach. Learn more by visiting www.catholiccharitiesaz.org. Social connections include www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAZ and twitter.com/CCArizona.
Contact: Jean Christofferson
Catholic Charities Community Services
602-650-4847
