In Maricopa and Pinal counties, 79 adults and children perished from drowning in 2024. That is the highest number ever since 2005 when records began to be kept. On its 5th Annual Pool Fence Safety Program, Child Crisis Arizona, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the well-being and safety of children and families, collaborates with Salt River Project ( SRP ), State Farm, the Independent Pool &, Spa Service Association, Inc., and local firefighter charities. Through this initiative, Child Crisis Arizona welcomes parents or caregivers who are financially able to pay for pool barriers and have young children to submit an application for a completely pool fence up until April 5, 2026.
If a family meets specific eligibility requirements, they can apply for a completely pool fence. Those interested in applying can apply online at https ://www.childcrisisaz.org/what-we-do/pool-fence-program, which has applications available in both English and Spanish.
eligibility criteria:
- Must have a child who is 6 years of age or younger living in the home.
- Renters are never permitted, and the home must be owned by the owner.
- Maricopa County is a place where a family must reside.
- If a family is income-qualified, participation in one of the following assistance programs will be used to verify income eligibility: Food Stamps, Medicaid, WIC, Energy Assistance, or Unemployment.
- Household income will be taken into account and the family’s 2024 tax return will be used to verify eligibility if the family is no enrolled in one of the assistance programs.
According to Caitlin Sageng, older program director at Child Crisis Arizona,” Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4 and continues to be one of the top five causes of death for children between the ages of 5 and 9 .” Safe Kids Maricopa County, the local chapter of a global organization that aims to prevent childhood injury and death, is located in Child Crisis Arizona. This Pool Fence Safety Program, which awarded two dozen families a fresh pool fence next year between its spring and fall application windows, aims to make a difference in our community by preventing child drownings.
The Child Crisis Arizona Pool Fence Safety Program, which is available all year long to all families, also provides free pool fences and provides parents and caregivers with information on water safety through a digital water safety workshop led by a Safe Kids Maricopa County coordinator.
” At SRP, we are aware that drownings can occur throughout the summer.” All year long, potholes can be harmful, according to Rori Minor, SRP community engagement strategist. ” That’s why we continue to support efforts to protect water in our community. We’re happy to support the initiative once more as it expands to protect yet more families, and Child Crisis Arizona has been a wonderful partner in supporting prevention efforts.
Tyrone Jones, State Farm corporate responsibility analyst, stated,” State Farm is seriously committed to helping families prevent the unexpected. Through this partnership, we’re giving parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing that their children can enjoy the Arizona sunshine year-round.
Child Crisis Arizona is dedicated to helping solve the problem of child drownings in the community and to standing up and leading the effort toward tangible change, in addition to SRP, State Farm, the Independent Pool &, Spa Service Association, Inc., and other local firefighter charities.
