Renee podolsky, community health DIRECTOR780 SW 24TH streetfort lauderdale, FL 33315-2643(954) 847-8026 phone (954) 767-5155

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) received a $200,000 Project Grant award from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety program (CFDA 87.002). The award will support FDOH's Drowning Prevention Program in Broward County, Florida from September 30, 2024 to September 29, 2026. Key activities include:

• Partnering with the Florida Swimming Pool Association to train over 50 pool and spa industry members on drowning prevention and VGBA requirements, and distributing outreach materials to over 470 individuals.
• Forming partnerships with 44 retail pool and spa stores to distribute prevention materials.
• Distributing and installing 68 pool safety signs at community pools throughout Broward County.
• Conducting 9 safety town presentations reaching 725 children, and presenting to 186 children at summer camps and schools.
• Providing training to over 100 pool and spa industry members and attending over 90 outreach events, ultimately reaching 20,000 individuals with drowning prevention resources.
• Participating in 17 water safety events hosted by municipalities and organizations, disseminating over 100 drowning prevention resource packets.
• Targeting outreach to families with children with autism, who are 160 times more likely to experience drowning incidents.