The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District is in urgent need of both bus drivers and substitute teachers. School administrators say they hope to remain open as conditions allow, but a shortage of teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers and support staff may cause problems with safely staffing classrooms.
COCSD Superintendent Steve King noted that Yavapai County health officials have informed officials that more children have suffered serious injuries or deaths countywide in 2020 than in previous years from accidents, abuse and other causes, possibly due to more children at home without supervision or due to them not being supervised out and away from home.
COVID-19 or not, King said that children are safer in school where they can be supervised and kept healthy.
Possible substitute teachers have to sign up with Educational Services Inc., an educator staffing company under contract with the Arizona Department of Education and numerous school districts around the state, at educationalservicesinc.com
Substitute teacher must hold a valid Arizona Substitute or Teacher Certificate.To obtain an Arizona Substitute Teacher Certificate, applicants must:
- Complete the Arizona Department of Education application for certification https://bit.ly/3ooWJtF
- Pay the appropriate fee to the Arizona Department of Education, which is $60 for the application, $60 for each certificate and $60 for each subject area.https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2016/08/Application%20for%20Certification.pdf
- Have earned at least a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college, university or educational institution.
- Obtain and file an official college transcript required accredited institution.
- Provide a photocopy of their valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Identity Verified Prints fingerprint card. COCSD will pay for the fingerprinting. For more information visit http://www.azed.gov/educator-certification/fingerprintclearance-card-ivp/ .
Call Dani Tomerlin, Substitute Program Coordinator at (928) 442-5769 for more information.
Positions are available for half and full days.
Starting salary is $100 per day or $125 per day for long-term assignments.
Risks to Children Not in School Due to COVID-19 Closures
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns that due to COVID-19, the home may not be safe for many families who experience domestic violence, which may include both intimate partners and children.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guidance
on stopping Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse During COVID-19:
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/social-distancing-domestic-violence.pdf
COVID-19 has caused major economic devastation, disconnected many from community resources and support systems, and created widespread uncertainty and panic. Such conditions may stimulate violence in families where it didn’t exist before and worsen situations in homes where mistreatment and violence has been a problem.
Violence in the home has an overall cost to society, leading to potentially adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including a higher risk of chronic disease, substance use, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and risky sexual behaviors. Further, victims of domestic violence including intimate partner abuse and child abuse are at great risk for injuries including death.
Children are specifically vulnerable to abuse during COVID-19. Research shows that increased stress levels among parents is often a major predictor of physical abuse and neglect of children.
Stressed parents may be more likely to respond to their children’s anxious behaviors or demands in aggressive or abusive ways. The support systems that many at-risk parents rely on, such as extended family, child care and schools, religious groups and other community
organizations, are no longer available in many areas due to the stay-at-home orders. Child protection agencies are experiencing strained resources with fewer workers available, making them unable to conduct home visits in areas with stay-at-home orders. Since children are not going to school, teachers and school counselors are unable to witness the signs of abuse and report to the proper authorities. Also, many at-risk families may not have access to the technology children needed to stay connected with friends and extended family.
Resources:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline Staying Safe During COVID-19 Phone number: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) https://www.thehotline.org/resources/staying-safe-during-covid-19/
- The National Network to Eliminate Domestic Violence Resources on the Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://nnedv.org/latest_update/resources-response-coronavirus-covid-19/
- Department of Justice, Office of Women’s Health Local Resources on Domestic Violence https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources
- Prevent Child Abuse America Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others https://preventchildabuse.org/coronavirus-resources/
- Stronghearts Native Helpline 1-844-762-8483 https://www.strongheartshelpline.org/
