Cast Water Safety Foundation

INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM - THE FOUNDATION OFFERS GRANTS TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS DESIRING TO BECOME INSTRUCTORS TO ASSIST IN OFFSETTING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TRAINING TO BECOME AN INFANT SWIM RESOURCE ("ISR") CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR. AS PART OF THE ISR INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION PAYS THE COST TO TRAIN THE AWARD RECIPIENT AS AN ISR-CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR, UNDER THE CONDITION THAT THE AWARD RECEPIENT WILL THEN VOLUNTEER TO TRAIN CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 8 YEARS OLD IN THE GREATER CHICAGOLAND AREA IN ISR PHILOSOPHIES AND METHODOLOGIES. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS STIPENDS TO ISR "MASTER INSTRUCTORS" WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRAINING AND CONTINUED MENTORSHIP OF NEW ISR-CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS IN BOTH CASES, THE AWARD RECEIPIENTS WILL BE INSTRUCTED IN ISR PHILOSOPHIES AND METHODOLOGIES DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE RISKS OF ACCIDENTAL CHILDHOOD DROWNING. THE FOUNDATION INTENDS TO MAKE ISR INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION SCHOLARSHIPS AND MASTER INSTRUCTOR STIPENDS.

ISR STUDENT TUITION - AS PART OF THE ISR SWIM LESSON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION WILL PAY UP TO 100% OF THE COST TO INSTRUCT THE AWARD RECIPIENT IN ISR PHILOSOPHIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND REDUCE THE RISKS OF CHILDHOOD DROWNING. AWARD RECEPIENTS WILL GENERALLY BE TRAINED IN ISR PHILOSOPHIES AND METHODOLOGIES AT THE FOUNDATION'S DEDICATED SWIMMING AND EDUCATION FACILITY BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITED (OR NO) OTHER INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING THIS TRAINING IN THE GREATER CHICAGOLAND AREA. THE FOUNDATION INTENDS TO AWARD ISR SWIM LESSON SCHOLARSHIPS EACH MONTH, DEPENDING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS TO EDUCATE AND TRAIN THE CHILDREN, THE NUMBER OF QUALIFYING APPLICANTS, AND THE ASSETS OF THE FOUNDATION AVAILABLE TO PAY. SCHOLARSHIPS AID IN OFFSETTING THE COST OF SWIM LESSIONS, WITH A FOCUS ON ASSISTING CHILDREN OF TEACHERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, NURSES AND MILITARY FAMILIES. CAST WILL ALSO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOME, SPECIAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES.

AWARENESS, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH PROGRAM THE FOUNDATION COMMITS RESOURCES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF WATER-RELATED ACCIDENTS, EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE DANGERS OF WATER-RELATED FACTORS AND METHODOLOGIES TO PREVENT DROWNING, AND FUND RESEARCH INTO THE CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD DROWNING. THE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS WILL FURTHER AMPLIFY THE RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH, WHICH REVEALS THE NEED TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY WE APPROACH WATER SAFETY FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN AS MAINSTREAM PRESCHOOL FORMAL SWIMMING LESSON CURRICULUMS DO NOT PROMOTE, OR RESULT IN, THE ACQUISITION OF EFFECTIVE AQUATIC SURVIVAL SKILLS, SPECIFICALLY THE ABILITY TO INDEPENDENTLY ROLL OVER TO FLOAT, REST, AND BREATHE. THE RESEARCH IS INTENDED TO BE PRESENTED TO THE BROADER MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND DESIGNED TO AFFECT POLICY CHANGE.