Post updated at 12:08 p.m. Wednesday, June 19:
The Community Children’s Center has launched an online platform to help local families quickly find vetted babysitters, see their availability and book their services.
The Occasional Care Program aims to alleviate the stress of finding child care by offering families a way to find reliable sitters through a digital platform called Enginehire.
“Finding child care can be incredibly stressful, especially for busy families or newcomers to the community,” said Will Averill, director of communications and development for the CCC.
Averill said sitters on the platform have had background checks and fingerprinting. They are interviewed and screened, and their references are checked.
Subscriptions to the service of one day, one week, 30 days, 90 days or one year range in price from $10 to $450, respectively. Families can use the promo code WELCOMECCC to get their first booking in June for free, but sitters will need to be paid separately.
Families are also vetted for sitter safety, Averill said. Once a family signs up for the portal, the CCC’s occasional care specialist reaches out to do an interview to talk through family dynamics, whether they have any pets, and so forth. A safety assessment is part of that process, Averill said.
The CCC also asks families to provide a reference such as a former sitter, or anyone who can answer about five questions sent via email, he said.
Those who are interested can visit communitychildrenks.org/ocportal for more information about the program and to register on Enginehire.
There is a list of frequently asked questions on the CCC’s website at this link.
Group Peer Support available
The CCC also recently launched Group Peer Support, programs that aim to support caregivers of children ages 0 to 5.
“Life with a young child may sometimes feel overwhelming, but with GPS, caregivers can find solace in knowing they are not alone,” according to a separate news release about the program. “GPS offers a supportive space that emphasizes self-care, mindfulness, respect, and compassion, providing a holistic approach to family support.”
The group is meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays at Kennedy Early Childhood Center, 1605 Davis Road, from June to August.
“The GPS process is structured around various activities and guidelines to ensure a supportive and non-judgmental environment for all participants. From mindfulness exercises and confidentiality to advice- and interruption-free discussions, GPS fosters mutual understanding and empathy,” according to the release. “Caregivers are encouraged to share their experiences, emotions, and challenges openly, knowing they will be met with understanding and support from their peers.”
Learn more at communitychildrenks.org/gps or email Suzy Green at suzy.green@communitychildrenks.org for more information.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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