EMPORIA, VA (June 3, 2011) – Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center (SVRMC) will once again offer Safe Sitter, a medically accurate program that teaches boys and girls ages 11 to 13 nurturing child care techniques, behavior management skills and appropriate responses to medical emergencies when caring for children. Specifically, the Safe Sitter learns: what to do when a child chokes, safety for the sitter, how to call for emergency help, babysitting business skills, basic child care skills (diapering, feeding, etc.), and how to entertain children and keep them safe. In addition, Safe Sitter parents are given tips for helping their Safe Sitter to stay safe and make the most out of their babysitting experiences.

Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center is proud to have served as an official training site for Safe Sitter for nearly 20 years. Our certified instructors have been a part of this valuable program since its inception at SVRMC. The two day course is scheduled for July 21st and 22nd from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the SVRMC classrooms. The fee for the course is $40.00 per person and includes National Safe Sitter Manual, American Heart Association CPR Certification and lunch. Registration packet will be available at the SVRMC hostess desk beginning June 9th and the deadline for registration is Friday, July 8th. For more information on Safe Sitter, or to sign-up, contact Cynthia Mason-Kemp, RN, SVRMC Safe Sitter Site Coordinator at 434-348-4456.