Let's Keep Our Children Safe Around Water This Summer

To stay cool in San Bernardino County, you and your family may be planning to spend time near water. First 5 San Bernardino urges you to be mindful of water safety for your kids. Make the ABC’s of Water Safety a priority to keep your entire family safe this summer.

· Adult Supervision – Maintain active supervision while children are around water.

· Barriers – Install appropriate fencing, latches and alarms to keep kids away from water.

· Classes – Take CPR and swimming lessons.

To help, First 5 San Bernardino has created a Water Watcher Tag for you to print and bring to pools or open water. The tag has important safety information for adults supervising children in water, and most importantly, it can be used to identify who’s in charge of supervising children at a specific time. 

On Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, Executive Director Karen Scott was featured during three live segments on Good Day LA and FOX news, channel 11. She used the platform, broadcasted to the greater Los Angeles area, to promote and remind families to be hyper-vigilant with young children around water and make the ABCs of Water Safety a priority. 

Ann Calkins (center) celebrates with First 5 San Bernardino colleagues (left to right, Traci Homan, Cindy Faulkner, Karen Scott, and Debora Dickerson-Sims) at the May 4, 2022, Award for Excellence employee recognition held at San Bernardino County’s Government Building.

Cher. Prince. Beyonce. A star has really hit it big when they're known by only one name. Locally, First 5 San Bernardino has its own one-name star: Ann.



A nearly 36-year San Bernardino County employee, 15 of those years most recently with First 5 San Bernardino, Executive Assistant Ann Calkins has been the direct line of communication and planning between the Commissioners and First 5 staff. Commonly known as ‘the glue’ of the organization, she quietly and calmly has her eye on everything, explained Scott McGrath, deputy director of systems and impact. “She always has the ability to nudge, remind and warn you about something you should pay attention to the moment it becomes crucial that you do,” McGrath explained. “I have stepped over many pitfalls thanks to Ann.”

Boots on the ground. That’s how First 5 San Bernardino Community Engagement Specialist LuCretia Dowdy sums up her work. With the progressive easing of COVID-19 restrictions that previously limited events to a drive-thru format at best over the past few years, Dowdy is making up for lost time having represented First 5 San Bernardino at 18 events so far this year.

Advocacy Day 2022

First 5 San Bernardino Commissioners and staff recently took part in First 5 Association of California’s annual Advocacy Day held virtually throughout the state on April 19.

Furthering important policy issues affecting the 0-5 population, calls and Zoom meetings with 74 legislative offices were conducted by over 100 First 5 executive directors, staff, commissioners and local partners from 49 counties. Social media was also buzzing with aligned messages, including a coordinated Tweet Storm, reaching thousands of users.

Continuing its longstanding relationship with the San Bernardino County’s 32 branch Library System, First 5 San Bernardino recently funded a new program called ‘1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.’ Among First 5 San Bernardino’s top priorities is promoting early literacy, and this program is specifically designed to inspire young children and their parents to start quality reading habits right from the start.

About First 5 San Bernardino

The Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County (First 5 San Bernardino) was created in December 1998, in order to realize the benefits of Proposition 10 (California Children and Families Act) for the County's youngest residents and their families. The act created a program for the purpose of promoting, supporting and improving the early development of children from the prenatal stage to five years of age, under the guidance of the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino, and in collaboration with the community and agencies providing services to children.