The Swim Lesson Voucher Program is accepting voucher applications from August 4, 2025–September 1, 2025.
The purpose of this program is to increase water safety and prevent drowning in Florida by providing free swimming lessons to eligible Florida families.
The Florida legislature provided additional funding for vouchers this year, requiring eligible families with a child with autism, and eligible families who are in active military status applications to be processed first.
However, all eligible families should apply during the August 4–September 1 period.
Vouchers will be assigned shortly after the September 1 date.
Thank you for your patience and for your commitment to water safety!
Child’s date of birth (only children ages four and younger at the time of application are eligible).
Swim Instructor / Vendor Information
What is required to become a swim instructor?
Instructor certification by the American Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., or other nationally recognized aquatic training programs, approved by Florida Department of Health.
Current certification in administering first aid.
Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Completion of a Level 1 background screening or attestation of an already completed Level 1 background screening within the past five years. If a Level 1 background screening has not yet been completed, this can be accomplished through a local background screening company.
If you plan to provide adaptive swim lessons, the Department will contact the Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., to verify your certification is active.
How are swim instructors reimbursed for accepted vouchers?
After an approved vendor is contacted by a voucher holder for swim lessons, and BEFORE providing lessons, that vendor must contact the county health department identified on that voucher. The county health department will confirm the voucher based on its number and the child’s name and will create or amend a purchase order to reimburse the vendor for completed lessons.
Contact county health departments for voucher verification and billing purposes.
Once lessons are completed, contact the county health department for instructions on how to process your payment.
Water Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
Drowning is fast, silent, and can happen to anyone. It can happen in the few minutes a distraction can take you away from the water to answer the phone or run inside for a towel. In Florida, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death to children ages 1-4.
Most infant drownings occur in just a few inches of water such as a bathtub or bucket. Home swimming pools are where most children are likely to drown, however natural bodies of water still pose threats to older children and adults.
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