MI HEARTSafe School Award Program

MI HEARTSafe School Award Program

MI HEARTSafeA HEARTSafe designation recognizes a school’s efforts to prevent sudden cardiac death of the young (SCDY) by preparing for a cardiac emergency. Members of this school community know how to recognize the signs of a sudden cardiac arrest and respond quickly by calling 9-1-1 and using CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) until EMS arrives.

How to become a MI HEARTSafe School

Minimum Criteria:

  • A written cardiac emergency response plan, reviewed at least annually with staff.
  • A cardiac emergency response team with current CPR/AED certification, sufficient to respond to an emergency during school hours AND during organized after-school activities and sports, if applicable.
  • At least 10% of staff, 50% of coaches including 100% of head coaches, and 100% of P.E. staff with current completion of CPR/AED certification course*.
    *Qualifying CPR/AED courses can be found on the MDE Approved CPR/AED and First Aid Providers website.
  • A sufficient number* of accessible, properly maintained and inspected AEDs, ready to use, with signs identifying AED locations.
    *Sufficient number is estimated by time to scene from recognition to AED placement within 2-5 minutes.
  • The performance of at least one cardiac emergency response drill* per year.
    *Including recognizing signs of sudden cardiac arrest and using the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival: calling 9-1-1 and use of bystander CPR and AED until EMS arrive to provide advanced life support.
  • All athletic pre-participation screening completed with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) form (updated in 2016).

MI HEARTSafe School designation is awarded for a period of three school years.

The application period for the 2023-2024 school year is open! Please complete the online application by May 15, 2024. 

How to become a MI HEARTSafe School at no cost – Checklist for Administrators

MI HEARTSafe School Virtual Workshop Recording – January 2024

For questions about MI HEARTSafe Schools Award Program and how to qualify and apply for MI HEARTSafe designation, please email MDHHS-MI-HeartSafe@michigan.gov.