490 Michigan Schools Earn ‘HEARTSafe’ Designation, See the List
Is your school a MI HEARTSafe School?
Since the MI HEARTSafe Schools program began in 2013, a total of 569 schools have earned the HEARTSafe recognition for being prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies. The designation lasts for three years. Not all schools which have received the designation have kept it. Today, 490 schools are recognized as HEARTSafe.
Yesterday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that 154 schools have earned the MI HEARTSafe School designation for the 2018-19 school year. This includes some schools earning it for the first time and some renewing the designation. More schools are retaining the recognition from earning it previously.
Michigan's MI HEARTSafe Schools program is a collaborative effort of several organizations including the MDHHS, the Michigan Department of Education, the American Heart Association, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, and the Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young.
Many schools have taken several measures to prepare for cardiac emergencies, but to receive a MI HEARTSafe School designation, schools must have:
- A written medical emergency response plan and team.
- Current CPR/AED certification of at least 10 percent of staff and 50 percent of coaches, including 100 percent of head varsity coaches and P.E. staff.
- Accessible, properly maintained and inspected AEDs with signs identifying locations.
- Annual cardiac emergency response drills.
- Pre-participation sports screening of all student athletes using the current physical and history form endorsed by MHSAA.