According to Childcare Aware of America, in 2017 before and after school childcare for school-aged children costs families $5,389. In Christian County 27% of the population that is under the age of 18, and 60% of those youth are in low-income families (below the 200% of the federal poverty level) as reported by Kentucky Kids Count 2017 Data Book. Although the county has 1,260 less children in low-income families (below the 200% of the federal poverty level), this is still 12% higher than other youth across the state.

With the economic background of local youth in mind, agents from both the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Hopkinsville & Christian County and Ross College to offer a Babysitter’s Course, training youth in proper childcare and emergency management techniques so they can properly care for themselves and others while in the home alone. Both Extension Educators served as instructors for three half-day training sessions. Representatives from Ross College certified students in an American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR and AED training. The Boys and Girls Club allowed for their facilities to be used, and provided our target audience of middle and high school-aged youth in grades 6-12 with the opportunity to attend.

The program held a goal of training and certifying 15 youth, and successfully met 73% of that goal. Utilizing the Kentucky 4-H Babysitting Basics 4 Fun and 4 Profit curriculum, youth reported that the 4-H training portion provided them hands-on experience learning new skills they did previously didn’t know were important in regards to watching and taking care of others. Program participants also requested additional training session at the program’s end on how to better market their babysitting busy. As a result, the participants stated they are now more skilled in taking on babysitting and jobs looking over and after kids younger than themselves.