“Code Name: Home Alone”
After-school programs are a cost-effective way to boost student achievement, reduce juvenile crime and help overstressed working parents. Yet a new study finds that the number of after-school slots continues to lag far behind parents’ demand. Even in these hard economic times, it should be possible to narrow the gap. (New York Times Editorial, October 20, 2009)

There is good news in the study ¬ “America After 3” ¬ by the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group. It reports a big increase in the number of schoolchildren participating in after-school programs: 8.4 million youngsters compared with 6.5 million in 2004. Parents say they are generally satisfied with the programs their children attend. (New York Times Editorial, October 20, 2009)

But the most striking and disturbing finding is the large number of latchkey children ¬ children left alone and unsupervised at the end of the regular school day: 15.1 million ¬ more than a quarter of America’s schoolchildren and an 800,000 increase from 2004. That number includes 4 percent of elementary school students and 30 percent of middle school students who are on their own until their parents return home. (New York Times Editorial, October 20, 2009)
Kentucky 4-H introduces a NEW curriculum that teaches youth and their parents about the skills and knowledge needed for the child to stay home alone.
The Code Name: Home Alone Curriculum was developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service State Latch Key Quick Response Team to address the issue of children being alone without an adult present. The curriculum focuses on children and parents learning about issues related to child self-care, safety and overall well-being when children are home alone and/ or with siblings without adult supervision. It stresses family communication through individual, group/classroom, parent and child activities, and parent newsletters. It is designed to be used in the classroom, and in 4-H groups, youth groups, and family groups.

The following link will take you to the CNHA Educators page where the entire curriculum can be downloaded at no cost. (CNHA)

We only ask that you contact your local 4-H Youth Development Agent, as a professional courtesy, to let them know that you are using the curriculum with your students. If you don’t know your 4-H Agent’s contact information, simple click on this link to find your county’s Extension Office information. County 4-H Youth Development Agent.

A new program year has begun in relation to the Kentucky State 4-H Teen Council. September 11-13 marked the beginning of a new year lead by our new officer team. As with every year, STC is in charge of planning and implementing Teen Conference in June. New members were initially notified of the policies and procedures of STC and how meetings are to be run. Members from past years were assigned as mentors to first time STC’ers. A bon-fire, team building activities, and a social event were held to promote interaction between all the members. In the business sessions, potential themes for Teen Conference 2010 were discussed and each committee worked towards fulfilling the requirements of each. Individual Districts met with one another to discuss their strengths and weaknesses. As part of a state-wide community service effort, no-sew blankets were made to be distributed to Markey Cancer Center located in Lexington, KY. Members also participated in a 3.3 mile trash pick-up effort. These projects will be continual projects throughout the year. Check back in November to see what STC has in store next.

Duncan Taylor
District 6

The PDF of certifications and registrations with dates is now available.

Please click this link to access:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/4hguide-files/livestock/05-09_Recertification_info.pdf