Parent Education for our Children, Youth and School Services (CYSS) patrons is offered through monthly “Lunch and Learn” sessions as well as at quarterly “Parent Advisory Council (PAC)” Meetings. “Lunch and Learns” are generally held during the lunch hour and usually involve guest speakers who are brought in to present on a variety of wonderful topics that are of interest to parents and families. “PAC Meetings” are also held during the lunch hour and are more program specific as they address current happenings and practices in our various programs (Child Development Center, Family Childcare, School Age Services/Youth Services). They also allow an opportunity for parents to provide input and to have questions and concerns addressed. Meeting times can be found on our CYSS News page.
The U.S. Army Child and Youth Services’ Babysitter Program enhances Soldier’s sense of well-being in the field, by providing a common Army-sponsored service during school-out hours to take care of his/her child at home. The standardized Babysitting Program incorporates local youths from military and civilian families to enhance the sense of community among garrisons and build important life skills for future leaders.
By participating in the Babysitter Program, teenagers can earn key life skills and gain a sense of responsibility.
*Local youth are able to increase their community involvement through the Babysitter Program, assisting parents in need of trained childcare providers.
*Babysitters in the program are trained to provide age-appropriate care and resolve any potentially dangerous situations.
*The Babysitter Program provides a common learning environment and development track for military teens that move often due to reassignments.
*Volunteer babysitters may receive community service credit through Promise Passport or at school.
Rock Island Arsenal CYSS offers the Babysitter Training Course twice a year (typically during the summer and during winter break). Youth must be 13 years of age or older to enroll in the course. Only youth that are 13 years or older may be placed on the CYSS Babysitter referral list.
Dependents of active duty military and DOD civilians/contractors are eligible to take the course. The first priority is for military dependents.
The class will be one full day in length and will have a maximum of 12 students. The cost of the class is determined at a later date and includes training materials, lunch and snacks.
Trainers use a standardized Babysitter Curriculum which provides consistency and predictability across CYSS programs Army-wide. This curriculum was developed using the resources of the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project and complies best methods and strategies for preparing teens to babysit safely.
A Babysitter Referral List is maintained in the CYSS Office. This is a list of teen babysitters who have been certified in Babysitter Training, and it is available to both military and civilian employees upon request. This list is not a recommendation or endorsement of any babysitter included on it, but is simply a referral list.
Outreach Services also includes various Special Events throughout the year. These include special activities and events organized in recognition of “Month of the Military Child” in April and “National Kids Day” in August, among others.
For further information on any of the topics listed above, please feel free to call the CYSS Office at (309) 782-0791 or look on our CYSS News Webpage.