Child Crisis Arizona and Partners Award 24 Valley Families Free Pool Fences

(PHOENIX – June 10, 2026) – As temperatures climb and families across Arizona head outdoors and into backyard pools, one Valley organization is working to ensure water fun does not turn tragic. Child Crisis Arizona, in partnership with SRP, State Farm, and local firefighter charities, is pleased to announce the recipients of its 5th Annual Pool Fence Safety Program, awarding 24 local families free pool fences to help protect young children from drowning and near-drowning incidents.

“In the span of two weeks, these life-saving barriers are finding their place in family backyards across the Valley, providing an added layer of safety and peace of mind,” said Caitlin Sageng, Vice President of Program Operation at Child Crisis Arizona. “This year’s recipients include households where grandparents serve as primary caregivers, single-parent homes, and families navigating the adoption process, all united by a shared need for added protection around water.”

Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and continues to rank among the top five causes of death for children ages 5 to 9. In response to this urgent and ongoing need, Child Crisis Arizona partnered with SRP to create the Pool Fence Safety Program five years ago with a simple but powerful mission: to equip vulnerable families with the protection they deserve, free of charge.

For Southeast Valley resident Leidy Barbosa, one of this year’s recipients, the fence represents peace of mind for a family already utilizing the support services Child Crisis Arizona provides.

“Through Child Crisis Arizona’s Early Head Start program, I learned about the Pool Fence Safety Program and the opportunity to make our home safer for our toddler,” said East Valley resident Leidy Barbosa. “As a family living on one income while I search for work, installing a pool fence was simply out of reach financially. This support gives us peace of mind and an added layer of protection for our child, and we are incredibly grateful for the care and resources Child Crisis Arizona provides to families like ours.”

While no single measure can completely prevent tragedy, the program is rooted in the belief that multiple layers of defense save lives. Pool fences, supervision, swim lessons, and water safety education all play a critical role in keeping children safe.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to safely enjoy Arizona’s pools, but we know that barriers to safety exist for many families,” said Sageng. “For some, the cost of a properly installed pool fence can be out of reach, even though the need is urgent. Through this program, we are helping create one more layer of protection for children in homes where water access is part of everyday life, while also giving caregivers greater peace of mind.”

Sageng noted that in Arizona, where pools are commonplace and warm weather stretches across much of the year, vigilance around water safety must remain constant.

“While no single measure can single-handedly avert tragedy, we know layers of protection matter,” said Sageng. “A properly installed pool fence, paired with active supervision, swim lessons and water safety education, can make a life-saving difference.”

SRP, a longtime partner in the initiative, says the effort aligns closely with its ongoing commitment to water safety and education across the Valley.

“SRP is deeply committed to improving water safety for the children and families of our community,” said Rori Minor, community engagement strategist at SRP. “As the largest provider of water in the Valley for the past century, continuing our efforts to improve water safety is a top priority not only for us, but also for the 1 million people we serve. Through our partnership with Child Crisis Arizona, we hope to educate families and provide quality resources to help keep our children safe and comfortable around water.”

State Farm has also supported the initiative through their Good Neighbor program, which allows groups like Child Crisis Arizona to provide educational safety programs to those in the  community.

“At State Farm, part of our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life. We’re committed to helping build safer, stronger, better-educated communities,” said Elyssa Tapetillo, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. “We are proud to support the Pool Fence Safety Program aimed at reducing the risk of drowning. Through this partnership, we’re empowering parents and caregivers with peace of mind—knowing their little ones can safely enjoy the Arizona sunshine all year long.”

In addition to hosting the Pool Fence Safety Program, Child Crisis Arizona is also home to Safe Kids Maricopa County, a local chapter of a worldwide organization dedicated to preventing childhood injury and death. Through the program, Child Crisis Arizona offers dozens of no-cost online and in-person safety courses for families, including a virtual Water Safety Workshop available online at childcrisisaz.org.

As families prepare for another Arizona summer around pools, Child Crisis Arizona encourages caregivers to remember that prevention starts before children ever step near the water.

Fast facts from the Child Crisis Arizona Pool Fence Safety Program for caregivers:

• A pool fence should surround all sides of the pool and be at least five feet tall with self-closing and self-latching gates.
• Make sure all furniture is placed on the inside of the pool fence so children cannot use it to climb over the barrier.
• Ensure pool gates are always properly latched and closed and are not broken.
• Children should not be able to go under, over, or around the pool fence.
• Children can be small enough to fit through doggie doors when caregivers are not aware. Lock pet doors to create an added barrier between a child and water.
• Never allow a child to sit on or next to a drain. Teach children not to swim or play near drains.
• Swim with a partner. Keep young children and weak swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult, and ensure older children swim with a buddy every time.

Together with SRP, State Farm, and local firefighter charities, Child Crisis Arizona is committed to helping solve the community problem of child drownings and to stepping up and leading the mission toward measurable change. Through a combination of education, prevention, community partnerships and practical resources like free pool fences, the organizations aim to create safer homes and stronger layers of protection for Arizona children year-round.

About Child Crisis Arizona

Since 1977, Child Crisis Arizona has served vulnerable children and families in Arizona and is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect through education and intervention. Child Crisis Arizona offers emergency shelter and residential care for children and youth from birth to 21 and provides foster care and adoption services, early education, communitywide parenting classes, workshops, support groups and more. Child Crisis Arizona has positively impacted over 180,000 children and families since its inception. Visit www.childcrisisaz.org to learn more.