"font-size: small;">BAY

MINETTE, Ala. — Anyone who looks after a child for any amount of

time knows it’s no easy task, what with such things to think about

as ensuring his or her safety, health and well-being remain intact.

That’s where Baldwin County Kids and Kin comes

in.

"font-size: small;">According

to Sa-Vaughnie Johnson, Baldwin County childcare partner for Family

Guidance Center of Alabama, Kids and Kin is a

voluntary-certification program in which participants take part in

workshops pertaining to the care of children.

"font-size: small;">“It’s for

grandparents, aunts and uncles when they keep children after

school,” she said during an interview at Crossroads Headstart in

Bay Minette. “Headstart gets out at 2:30 p.m. each day. Because the

parent is still working, someone else takes care of the child until

they get home.”

"font-size: small;">That

training consists twice monthly sessions held at Crossroads that

cover such topics as child development, first aid and CPR,

nutrition, discipline and child-health issues. Helping to lead

those sessions include representatives from Bay Minette Fire

Department, Baldwin EMC and the Alabama Extension

System.

"font-size: small;">“We use

them a lot,” Johnson said.

"font-size: small;">In addition

to the training, participants get extras, such as door

prizes.

"font-size: small;">“Every door

prize is something they can use in their home,” Johnson

said.

"font-size: small;">The

training is available during the academic year.

"font-size: small;">“We have a

recognition day on May 4,” Johnson said.

"font-size: small;">However,

participants can enroll at any time.

"font-size: small;">“There’s no

start or stop date,” Johnson said.

"font-size: small;">She

explained that during the summer, the program shifts its focus to

children. Plus, the location changes to Bay Minette Public

Library.

"font-size: small;">“They

always have good resources and good materials,” Bay Minette Public

Library Children’s Librarian Victoria Barnett said in an interview

at the library.

"font-size: small;">The adult

program draws between 14 and 18. Participation in the children’s

program is a bit more.

"font-size: small;">“In the

summer, we run anywhere from 30 to 50,” Barnett said, adding that

the program coincides with the library’s Tuesday morning story

time.

"font-size: small;">According

to Johnson, the Kids and Kin program is offered for

free.

"font-size: small;">“It’s state

funded through the Alabama Department of Human Resources,” she

said.

"font-size: small;">Upcoming

sessions include: Bridging the Generation Gap, 1:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

Feb. 23; APT: Teaching our Children to Respect Differences, 1:15

p.m.-3:15 p.m. March 8; Peer Pressure from Toddlers to Teens, 1:15

p.m.-3:15 p.m. March 15.

"font-size: small;">Baldwin

County Kids and Kin is open to Baldwin County residents who are

unlicensed relatives caring for children no older than age 12 and

are, themselves, at least 19 years old. For more information, call

251-533-9110 or visit

"http://www.familyguiadancecenter.org">www.familyguiadancecenter.org.