A $39,477 LYFT Pathways grant as awarded to Litchfield, Hutchinson, Glencoe-Silver Lake, and Dassel-Cokato High Schools; and Ridgewater College for the development of a project to get high school students certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED.

Child Care workers are required to complete certifications in First Aid/AED/CPR and most high school classes do not get them fully certified. Schools and business partners will benefit from having their staff trained as Certified First Aid/CPR/AED Instructors. Training and certification offered to high school and post-secondary students will be incorporated into current child development and health science courses within the schools. These courses will be enhanced through the certifications as well as access to up-to-date equipment/materials required for the training. Once certified, instructors will be able to provide certification training to not only students but also other staff within the schools and businesses.

This will provide an avenue to reduce costs and sustain future training and certification renewals. Students will also be exposed to careers through these courses and provided with work-based learning opportunities through their business partners (Kids of the Kingdom, Precious Little Blessings Daycare, Kids Inc. Child Care, Lambs Christian Day Care and Preschool, and the City of Hutchinson Parks and Recreation).

During the 2020-21 school year, 127 students took this course.

During the 2021-22 school year, 352 students took this course.

For more information contact Litchfield Public Schools.