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Commissioners direct staff to study expanding county swim‑safety program after decade of training Head Start children
Summary
After describing nearly a decade of operations that trained almost 16,000 children to swim, Chair Ken Hagan secured unanimous direction for staff to return recommendations on expanding the county’s swim‑safety and drowning‑prevention program beyond Head Start, including cost options in the $50,000–$100,000 range.
Hillsborough County commissioners on Feb. 4 voted unanimously to direct staff to produce recommendations for expanding the county’s swim‑safety and drowning‑prevention program beyond its Head Start focus.
Chair Ken Hagan reviewed the program’s origins (launched 2014 after a local drowning tragedy), partnerships (YMCA, Brandon Sports & Aquatics/High 5, City of Tampa, City of Temple Terrace) and outcomes: early years served about 941 children, last year nearly 1,800, the program’s progression (skill) rate rose from roughly 73% to 95%, and nearly 16,000 children have learned to swim through the county effort.
Hagan’s motion asked staff to identify ways to expand the program — possibly to Boys & Girls Clubs and county summer programs — and to use existing resources where feasible. He asked staff to include any additional costs, with options in the $50,000–$100,000 range so the board could consider budget timing. Rick Valdez, director of Parks & Recreation, said staff support expansion and described visiting pools and seeing the program’s success.
The board approved the direction 7–0.
Next steps: Parks & Recreation will work with partners to develop options, cost estimates and recommendations for board consideration as part of future budget discussions.
