Child Crisis Arizona and Salt River Project Open Applications for Families-In-Need to Receive a Free Pool Fence Through the Pool Fence Safety Program

(PHOENIX – Feb. 5, 2024)— Child Crisis Arizona, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the well-being and safety of children and families, is partnering with Salt River Project (SRP) and 493 Firefighter Foundation on the 2024 Pool Fence Safety Program. Now through March 24, 2024, parents or caregivers who are financially unable to afford pool barriers and have young children can apply to receive a pool fence free of cost.

“Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old and remains among the top five causes of death for children ages 5 to 9 years old,” said Caitlin Sageng, Senior Program Director at Child Crisis Arizona. “Child Crisis Arizona is home to Safe Kids Maricopa County, the local chapter for a worldwide organization aiming to prevent childhood injury and death. This Pool Fence Safety Program, which last year awarded 16 families living in Maricopa County a new pool fence, is focused on actionable change to solve the community problem of child drownings.”

In addition to providing pool fences at no cost to local families, the Child Crisis Arizona Pool Fence Safety Program educates parents and caregivers on the importance of keeping their children safe around water through a Virtual Water Safety Workshop led by a Safe Kids Maricopa County Program Coordinator, which is open throughout the year to anyone.

Families living in Maricopa County can apply to be awarded a new pool fence at no cost if they meet certain eligibility criteria. With applications available in both English and Spanish, those interested in receiving a free pool fencing installation can apply on the organization’s website, childcrisisaz.org/pool-fence-safety-program.

Requirements are as follows:

• Must have a child age 6 or under living in the home
• Home must be owner-occupied; no renters
• Family must reside within Maricopa County
• Family must be 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
• If the family is not enrolled in one of the assistance programs, household income will be considered, and their most recent tax return will be used to verify income eligibility

“SRP is deeply committed to improving water safety for the children and families of our community,” says Rori Minor, SRP Community Engagement Strategist.” Through our partnership with Child Crisis and others, we work to educate families and provide quality resources to help keep children safe and comfortable around water.”

The total sponsorship for the program is $25,000, which is funded by SRP. The 493 Firefighter Foundation (formerly known as United Phoenix Firefighter Charities) also works each year to pledge support for the program.

About Child Crisis Arizona

Since 1977, Child Crisis Arizona (CCA) has served vulnerable children and families in Arizona and is committed to preventing child abuse and neglect through education and intervention. CCA offers emergency shelter and residential care for children and youth from birth to 21 and offers foster care and adoption services, early education as well communitywide parenting classes, workshops, support groups and much more. Child Crisis Arizona has positively impacted nearly 136,000 children and families since its inception. Visit childcrisisaz.org to learn more.

About SRP

SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit public power utility and the largest electricity provider in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving approximately 1.1 million customers. SRP provides water to about half of the Valley’s residents, delivering more than 244 billion gallons of water (750,000 acre-feet) each year, and manages a 13,000-square-mile watershed that includes an extensive system of reservoirs, wells, canals and irrigation laterals. For more water safety information, visit srpnet.com/watersafety.

About 493 Firefighter Foundation (formerly United Phoenix Firefighters Charities)

493 Firefighter Foundation, previously known as The United Phoenix Firefighters Charities, was organized in 1964 and consists of more than 3,000 professional fire fighters across the Valley, in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Chandler and Peoria. Since becoming a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, relationships have been built and partnerships established with community leaders, private businesses, citizens, other nonprofits and for-profit organizations to improve the lives of the community we serve.  To learn more, visit local493.org.