A Head Start Program: Protecting your kids around water from the start

Literature indicates that drownings and/or near-drownings are the second leading cause of deaths and injuries for children and adolescents aged 1-19 years, and a major public health issue. In order to explore whether a water safety program can lead to changes in water safety knowledge and attitudes in parents and school staff, a needs assessment was conducted at the San Bernardino Delmann Heights Community Center Head Start, an area with a high proportion of recent Mexican immigrants. The Health Belief Model and concepts from other relevant theories were used as a backdrop for the needs assessment. Using available literature to inform best practices, public health students collected data through ethnographies, semi-structured key informant interviews, and a confirmatory focus group which was used to validate emerging themes. Participants were selected using theoretical sampling, and data were coded and themed using Grounded Theory methods. The results revealed the need for culturally and contextually appropriate Spanish language water safety education, water accident prevention strategies, and First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training. Identified barriers to such an undertaking were lack of awareness of potential water hazards in and around the home, lack of time and money to receive first aid and CPR training, and familial duties that prevent water safety education. A pilot program that offered first aid and CPR training, as well as water safety and prevention training was delivered including child care to promote program attendance. Process and impact evaluation results, lessons learned, and plans for sustainability will be presented.