First Coast YMCA, Splash Foundation host Florida swim voucher signup event

The First Coast YMCA and The Splash Foundation Florida will hold a swim voucher celebration and registration event Sept. 13 in St. Augustine for families newly eligible for Florida’s expanded program. The law now covers under-resourced and autistic children up to age 7, aimed at reducing drownings and expanding access to lifesaving swim instruction.

Why it matters: - Florida’s expanded swim voucher program now reaches children up to age 7, opening access to swim lessons for more families. - The change matters in a state where drowning is the leading cause of death for Florida children. - The program is designed to reduce financial barriers for under-resourced families and support water safety for autistic children.

What happened: - The First Coast YMCA and The Splash Foundation Florida will host a swim voucher celebration and registration event on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1:30 p.m. - The event will be held at the Willie Galimore Pool, operated by The First Coast YMCA, at 399 Riberia St. in St. Augustine, Florida. - The event will celebrate the opening of Florida’s Swim Voucher Program and offer on-site help with voucher applications.

The details: - Senate Bill 428/House Bill 85 established the program and passed the Florida House 108-0 and the Florida Senate 36-0. - Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill on April 21, 2026. - Florida TaxWatch listed the measure as a top 10 legislative priority for 2026. - The law provides access to swim instruction for under-resourced and autistic children up to age 7. - Previous voucher eligibility ended at age 4. - Eligible families must have household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. - Families should bring proof of Florida residency and Medicaid numbers to speed up applications. - Families who cannot attend can apply online through the Florida Department of Health or contact The Splash Foundation. - The Splash Foundation was selected by Youth Service America/AmeriCorps/9-11 Day to receive an award grant for the event. - The organization has recruited about 100 youth volunteers for the event. - The event will recognize the Sept. 11 National Day of Service. - More information is available at splashflorida.org. - More information is available at ymca.org.

Between the lines: - The policy change reflects a broader push to close a gap that left many elementary-aged children outside the previous voucher cutoff. - Advocates focused on the fact that many under-resourced children, including children with autism, often learn to swim after age 4. - The event also doubles as a public recognition moment for youth advocacy and civic service. - Sixteen-year-old Will Moffett helped drive the legislation after volunteering as a swim instructor in West Augustine for under-resourced children. - During the event, Florida Rep. Kim Kendall will present Moffett with an official State of Florida Tribute award. - Kendall said Moffett stepped forward to share ideas, advocate for meaningful change, and help shape public policy. - Sen. Clay Yarborough said the bipartisan vote showed that protecting children transcends politics. - Delonyx Cortez, vice president of operations for the First Coast YMCA, said early water safety education is an absolute necessity because drownings can happen in seconds.

What’s next: - Families eligible under the expanded rules can begin applying for vouchers now through the state program. - The Sept. 13 event is intended to help more families complete applications and move quickly into swim instruction. - The Splash Foundation and First Coast YMCA are positioning the event as part of a longer push to expand access to water-safety education across Florida.

The bottom line: - Florida’s new swim voucher rules widen access to lifesaving lessons, and the St. Augustine event is the first public push to get eligible families enrolled.