Youth supervision policy amended

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
Hanscom Air Force Base recently finalized a revised Installation Youth Supervision Policy to assist parents in ensuring the safety and well-being of children on base.

According to Maj. Matthew Willerick, Family Advocacy officer, the policy is required by a Defense Department Instruction that states, "Installations must develop policies under which children residing on or in a DoD facility or installation can be left alone to care for themselves."

In a memo to base residents, Col. Michael A. Vogel, installation commander, defined local policy and provided a Youth Supervision Guidelines matrix.

"We must do everything we can to ensure the safety and well-being of children on Hanscom Air Force Base," wrote Vogel. "Failure to meet the minimal Youth Supervision Guidelines could place a child in danger."

Changes made to the policy include: changes to the age groupings of children, the requirements for a child to be left alone without a baby-sitter and age of children outside playing without supervision. There are also changes that allow parents more flexibility in sibling care.

"Before deciding to leave a child alone, a parent must assess whether a child is comfortable alone, if emotional maturity is sufficient and whether their established safety plan is adequate," Vogel wrote.

The ages highlighted in the Youth Supervision Guidelines matrix are minimum ages and are based on a child's ability to demonstrate age-appropriate behavior, the policy reads.

For those interested in reading the policy, copies are available at Family Advocacy, Child Development Center,  Youth Center, with the School Liaison specialist and base housing leasing office.

Willerick explains the steps that will be taken for those families that do not comply.

"A violation of this policy would likely initially result in a referral to Family Advocacy for parenting education with the focus on educating parents on base policies, helping to develop a child care plan that is in compliance with the policy or helping to resolve larger issues in the family or work system," he said. 

He points out that a violation does not always indicate that a parent is not making good judgments relating to child care.

"Often it may be as simple as parents getting educated on what the policy is," he said. "We provide services to help parents better care for their children."

Dawn Shewmaker, Family Advocacy Program assistant, strongly recommends that Home Alone training is completed prior to a child being left alone for the first time and Baby Sitter training for youth who baby-sit others.

"Home Alone training is designed to help parents determine if their children are ready to be on their own, foster family communication and safety in the home and help children in decision making and problem-solving skills when home alone," she said.

For those youth who baby-sit others, Shewmaker recommends the Red Cross Baby Sitter course or equivalent.

"This training provides youth that are ages 11 years and older with the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide appropriate supervision and safety when baby-sitting younger siblings and other children," she said.

For further information on Home Alone or Baby Sitter training, contact Youth Programs at 781-225-6043.

Willerick said if parents would like assistance in determining if their child is developmentally ready to help care for their younger siblings, be home alone, or walk to and from school alone, the Family Advocacy Program can help.

"Our team would love to have an open discussion on the matter to help parents make an objective decision that takes into account their child's developmental level, decision making skills and awareness of resources in the local area," he said.

The policy requires all members of the community to report incidents related to lack of supervision of a child to the 66th Security Forces Squadron Law Enforcement Desk at 781-225-5000 or the Family Advocacy Program at 781-225-6385.

Base curfew for children 18 and under is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday and the night before a federal holiday.

For more information on this policy, contact Family Advocacy, SFS or Youth Programs at any of the listed telephone numbers.