July 23, 2015
Riverside County
NEWS RELEASE
DPSS Partners with HOPE Collaborative for Water Safety Day
National Drowning Prevention Week July 19-25th
Jurupa Valley- During the summer months Cecilia Rodriguez would always worry about the safety of her children when they were around water, so this year she took advantage of Riverside County’s Water Safety Day the Cove Waterpark. HOPE Collaborative joined the Department of Public Social Services in providing quality information to waterpark guests on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
“We really enjoyed the water safety class and CPR demonstration,” said Rodriguez. The hands-on experience in the water was part of a summer drowning prevention campaign launched in June by the Board of Supervisors and more than two dozen County Departments. This year 26 drowning or near-drowning incidents have occurred in the county.
The safety campaign included information and demonstration booths, water safety classes, and Sidewalk CPR. “Many of us as children remember close calls of our own or the avoidable accident of another,” said Todd Bellanca, Interim Assistant Director, DPSS Children’s Services. “Our staff and HOPE Collaborative feel privileged to have had the opportunity to participate and assist the Board of Supervisors in educating the public about water safety, we look forward to working together to make Riverside County a safe place for children.”
The mission of HOPE Collaborative is to promote the safety of children and prevent abuse and neglect in Riverside County. This is accomplished through public education and outreach.
Sponsored by Riverside County Parks, Water Safety Day was also held at DropZone Waterpark in Perris, CA. Riverside County supported National Drowning Prevention Week, July 19-25, 2015 by sponsoring informational events across the region.
