In Bracken County, there are very few after school care options for children. According to the US Census Bureau, the average commute for work in Bracken County is 34.1 minutes. Considering that the majority of working parents have schedules that do not revolved around school hours, finding suitable after school care options sometimes aren’t available.

 I was approached by the 4^th Grade teacher at Augusta Independent Schools on doing a school enrichment program. When I told her about some options and we were talking, she mentioned that several of her students are at home alone from time to time. Utilizing the Code Name: Home Alone curriculum, I began planning lessons. We are covering topics such as internet safety, kitchen safety, first aid, how to call 9-1-1, weather safety, and water safety. Each child created an emergency contact sheet that included their address and important phone numbers. I had community members from fire, EMS, and Dispatch come in and talk to the youth regarding their specific areas. Each student took home a packet to discuss a family plan with their guardians. All the students said they feel safer now that they have talked over situations with their parents.  

Comments from students have included: “I never really knew my address” ; “I wasn’t aware of what to do in emergencies”; “I feel safer being at home”.