Challenge

Accidental Injury: Accidental injuries are the leading cause of death and serious injury to children 14 and under.

• Most childhood injuries can be easily prevented by taking simple steps to educate children, use safety equipment and provide close supervision.
• The average length of stay for a patient admitted with trauma related injuries is 3.119 days at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas.

Solution

The YMCA of Austin - in collaboration with Safe Kids Austin and Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas - is working toward the goal of providing all area first graders with education on safety, aquatics, and fitness activity. The program is Project S.A.F.E. (Safety, Aquatics & Fitness Education).

• The YMCA of Austin will provide swim instruction, safety education and fitness activities at no charge to parents.
• Classes will take place at YMCA of Austin branches.

Program Format: Each first-grade class will come to the YMCA for eight days - Monday through Thursday for two weeks.

• They will spend approx. 90 minutes at the YMCA in swim lessons and physical activities.
• At the end of the two week session, each student will be given a certificate of achievement, a backpack, a swim lesson report card, a month-long free pass to the YMCA of Austin, and safety materials provided by Safe Kids Austin.

A Typical Day:

• Buses deliver students to YMCA facilities
• Students engage in two, 40-minute instruction periods:
• Half of the students engage in swim lessons
• Half engage in physical activity lessons
• Classes switch upon completion of each lesson
• Buses return students to school

Desired Program Outcomes

• Provide all program participants with beginner-level swimming instruction, thus building a safer community
• Provide program participants with safety and injury prevention instruction, for example Water Safety, Child Passenger Safety, and Helmet/Bike Safety
• Provide participants with instruction in fitness activities that are conducive to a healthy lifestyle
• Help participants develop self-confidence, self-respect and appreciation for their own worth as individuals
• Create platform for children to engage parents in conversations about safety issues and healthy lifestyles

Statistics

Drownings and Near-Drownings: Each year, more than 830 children ages 14 and under die as a result of unintentional drowning. On average, an annual 3,600 injuries occur to children due to a near-drowning incident.

• In Austin, 22 Drowning Incidents in 2007 (1 fatality, 21 near-drownings)
• 36 Drowning Incidents in 2008 (5 fatalities, 31 near-drownings) Sources: Safe Kids USA, Safe Kids Austin Swim Lessons

Physical Activity and Childhood Obesity: 55% of Texas youth did not meet recommended levels of physical activity.

• 48% did not attend physical education classes.
• 16% fall under the obese category compared to the national average at 13%. Source: Centers for Disease Control

Participating Districts and Schools

Austin ISD

• Andrews Elementary
• Blanton Elementary
• Mathews Elementary
• Pease Elementary
• Sunset Valley Elementary
• Wooten Elementary

Hays CISD

• Blanco Vista Elementary
• Camino Real Elementary
• Hemphill Elementary
• Ralph Pfluger Elementary
• Science Hall Elementary
• Tom Green Elementary
• Tobias Elementary

Manor ISD

• Decker Elementary

Pflugerville ISD

• Northwest Elementary

Contact Information

Gyllian Garvey 236-9622 ext. 329

                   _____________________________________

      Project SAFE is supported
in part through
the generous contributions from:

• AT&T
• BBVA Compass
• City of Bastrop
• Colin's Hope
• Commercial Swim Management
• Robert Digneo
• Go! Calendars
• Craig Hackler
• Hines Pool & Spa
• The Hoffman Family
• The Winkelman Family
• Stephen Hurd
• JCPenney Tech Ridge Center
• Link Foundation
• Shannon and Terry McDaniel
• Mtech
• Jean Olson
• ONEOK Foundation
• Thom Parker

To learn more about supporting this life-saving program, contact: Andrew Wiggins, 512-236-9622