Water Safety
Mary Thissen-Milder, Physical Education Specialist, Bette Benson, Grants Specialist Coordinator
Angie Kolonich, Science Specialist, Alina Campana, Arts Specialist, Sarah Carter, STEM Specialist, Mee Stevens, Office Administrative Specialist, Nichole Laven, Standards Implementation Manager, Mike Huberty, Math Assessment Specialist, Dawn Cameron, Education Supervisor, Angela Hochstetter, Academic Standards Supervisor, Kate Beattie, Education Supervisor
Bette Benson
$250,000 the first year is appropriated to the commissioner of education for a water safety grant program. The commissioner of education must allocate grants to eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and city and county parks and recreation programs providing swimming lessons to youth. Eligible applicants are not required to partner with other entities. Grant funds must primarily be used to provide scholarships to low-income and at-risk children for swimming lessons. Up to 15 percent of the grant funds may also be used to hire water safety instructors or lifeguards or train water safety instructors or lifeguards in nationally recognized water safety practices and instruction.
Provide scholarships to low-income and at-risk children for swimming lessons. Up to 15 percent of the grant funds may also be used to hire water safety instructors or lifeguards or train water safety instructors or lifeguards in nationally recognized water safety practices and instruction.
Yes. Our primary goal was to expand access to swimming lessons for youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity. We exceeded expectations in this area. The grant allowed us to demonstrate a measurable impact on water safety and access, which has helped engage community stakeholders and highlight the importance of expanded outreach. However, while we were successful in providing both traditional and private swimming lessons, as well as hosting the 4th Grade Water Safety Day for two fiscal years, we encountered ongoing challenges in recruiting youth to participate in Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor (WSI) training. This difficulty is largely due to our targeted focus on serving low-income students. Many teens within this demographic lack the foundational swimming skills or confidence needed to pursue advanced aquatic certifications such as Lifeguarding or WSI.