CNI Celebrates 20 years of Safe Sitter Instruction

Community Nurses, Inc. recently held its twentieth annual Safe Sitter Classes on June 16 and July 14. There were 44 students registered for the programs, which teach babysitting basics.

The Safe Sitter class was brought to St. Marys by Stacy Assalone, Community Nurses R.N., who moved back to her hometown 20 years ago from North Carolina. She has been teaching the class ever since, alongside Char Snelick, Community Nurses’ registered dietetic technician. Rounding out the instructors were Julie Heary, R.N. and Annie Reedy, R.N.

Class content is designed to teach babysitters how to prevent and manage problem behavior and what to do in emergency situations. The business aspects of babysitting are also addressed, as well as safety measures and child care essentials. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 15.

Community Nurses offers the courses each summer – usually in June and July, and the program has been partially funded from its inception by yearly donations from the St. Marys Rotary Club.

Community Nurses is an affiliate of Penn Highlands Elk and is a home care agency providing home health, hospice, private duty/home support services, and adult day care to the residents of Cameron, Elk and McKean Counties, and parts of Clearfield, Jefferson and Potter Counties.