Summer_2019

Partnership & Scholarships Helps Prevent Drowing Across Riverside County

By Riverside County Prevention Network

September has brought a mix of cooler temperatures and oppres- sive heat, depending on the day. It’s that time of year when many Riverside County residents, includ- ing kids, are still taking a dip in the pool. However, swimming certainly comes with risk and this summer the staff in the Children’s Services Division (CSD) has been working hard to share information about drowning prevention with our care- givers. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional or accidental injury related death for children ages 1 to 4 in Riverside County. A child can drown in just enough water to cover their mouth and nose and have irreversible brain damage requiring life-long medical care after surviving a near drowning. CSD participates in the Riverside County Prevention Network. It’s a partnership with the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Department of Public Health, RUHS Behavioral Heath, Riverside County First 5, Riverside County Probation Department and River- side County’s Child Abuse Preven- tion Council (CAPC) HOPE Collab- orative. The Prevention Network focuses on the prevention of child maltreatment. The network collab- orates on projects to benefit the families of Riverside County. That work includes raising awareness about drowning and offer ways to prevent it. This campaign increases access to swim lessons for children and helps more kids learn water safety skills. First 5 Riverside is expand-

ing scholarship opportunities for children under the age of 5 to partici- pate in swim lessons through new partnerships with cities, school districts and community colleges. These scholarships fund the cost of tuition for evidenced-based life-saving swim lessons for children ages 6 months through 5 years. The cities of Temecula and Jurupa Valley currently have scholarships available. However, additional funding is available to cities and other public entities on a first-come, first-serve basis. DPSS is encouraging staff to share this information with caregivers or any family with children ages 6 months to 5 years who can benefit from this resource. For additional information about this program, go to http://www.rccfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ Drowning-Prevention.pdf or call 800-266-3880. To inquire about available swimming lessons and scholarships available, contact: Ready, Set, Swim! Jr. provided by the Desert Healthcare District 760-323-6113 dhcd.org/Ready-Set-Swim-Jr. SoCal Water Babies, LLC for Infant Survival Float & Swim lessons. 951-251-5210 socalwaterbabies.com Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District 951-361-2090 jcsd.us/services/parks-and-recreation

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