Safety
Phoenix Children’s, SRP Partner to Implement Innovative Approach to Reduce Child Drownings
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n an effort to improve water safety messaging and reduce child drownings in Arizona, SRP is supporting Phoenix Children’s by partnering to support the health system’s drowning prevention curriculum to pediatricians’ practices statewide. With funding from SRP, Phoenix Children’s is furthering their longstanding work to reduce drownings through a first-of-its-kind drowning prevention program that will provide pediatricians throughout Arizona with the tools and training they need to educate families about water safety during regularly scheduled well-child visits for children who are at highest risk of drowning. “The partnership with SRP means more pediatricians will have access to evidence-based drowning prevention curriculum and resources,” says Tiffaney Isaacson, senior injury prevention specialist at Phoenix Children’s Center for Family Health & Safety. “This is a critical aspect of preventive care for families with young children, especially in Arizona. Our programming helps clinicians engage families in concise, meaningful conversations about risk
factors and strategies based on the child’s age and developmental stage.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the number one cause of death in children from ages 1 to 4. In Arizona, the rate of drowning is nearly twice the national average. “As the largest provider of water to the Valley, SRP understands the importance of water safety. Most drownings take place in swimming pools and can occur silently and swiftly, which is why we work closely with cities and agencies around the Valley to help our community partners educate families about the importance of water safety,” says Regina Lane Haycock, SRP’s water safety community engagement strategist. Phoenix Children’s designed the curriculum to dovetail with clinician and caregiver discussions on typical developmental milestones for young children. When a parent visits a trusted medical provider, they will also be armed with information on how to keep their little one safe around the pool or any body of water.
“For example, parents of a 2-year-old will learn about their child’s thinking, physical and social skills, such as their interest in climbing and scrambling and their tendency to break rules,” says Isaacson. “These conversations will help parents understand their toddler’s risk factors at a much more personal level and bring the importance of water safety to life in a powerful way. Our goal is simple: to save children’s lives.” Program development and recruitment have taken place through Phoenix Children’s Care Network, one of the nation’s largest clinically integrated networks. PCCN pediatricians who opt into this program receive training during two instructional sessions and can earn Maintenance of Certification Part IV credits from the American Board of Pediatrics. They also have ongoing access to the health system’s injury prevention team as questions and needs arise. Phoenix Children’s provides supplemental materials, including provider newsletters, exam room posters and caregiver handouts in English and Spanish, and sunscreen packets for patient families, to underscore the water safety messaging.
Hands on Safety
A Scottsdale-based program connects police officers and the community to keep kids safe By Michelle Talsma Everson Photos Courtesy of the Scottsdale Police Department
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eeping our children safe is a top priority and the Hands On Safety program, ran by the Scottsdale Police Department (PD) Foothills District Crime Prevention Team, was created to do just that. “The Hands On Safety program is designed to engage with children to help them make decisions about their safety,” says Officer Rob Katzaroff. Inspired by a similar program, Hands On
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Safety is focused on educating children at community and school events. “Kids are given information on safety by officers to cover both fire and police matters. They are taught about calling 911, fire safety, bike safety, gun safety, car safety, water safety, and stranger danger. As a pledge to stay safe, the kids are given an opportunity to place their handprint on a police car and get their picture taken with an officer, and if supplies last, are given a coloring book to reinforce the message,” Katzaroff explains. The program was started by former Scottsdale Police Department Officer David Kamleiter and current Police Aid Sherri Hawkinson. “One of our officers had heard of something like this being done at another agency [placing handprints on a police car] and suggested it to our team as a potentially fun idea to do in conjunction with some of the events we do out in the community,” Hawkinson says.
Before the initial pandemic shutdowns, the officers tested the event concept at two events, and it was a hit. “The smiles from everyone involved have been so worth it,” Hawkinson says. “Officer Katzaroff transferred into crime prevention during COVID and had been chomping at the bit to get out and interact with people in-person. As soon we got the blessing from upper staff, he started planning on how to get this program rolling again and started incorporating it with school safety visits…Once the weather cools off a bit, I’m sure you’ll be seeing a bunch more of these events.” As the Hands On Safety program gets back out into the community, it is available to Scottsdale-based schools and community organizations upon request and availability. “The Hands On Safety program is designed to help foster positive
relationships between the community and police department in a fun, interactive way while, at the same time, helping to keep our kids safe,” says Katzaroff. “As crime prevention officers and police aides, our goal is to form partnerships with our communities and help reduce crime.” There is no official website for the program, but interested schools and organizations can request more info via e-mail by e-mailing rkatzaroff@ scottsdaleaz.gov or shawkinson@ scottsdaleaz.gov.
THE SCOTTSDALE STANDARD • August 2022 • 13
