Funding for AEDs in Rural Illinois Announced

The Illinois Rural Health Association is pleased to announce that funding has been received by the State of Illinois to increase the availability of AEDs in rural areas.

This grant opportunity to purchase an AED is available for eligible rural areas in Illinois as defined by current federal guidelines. However, due to the limited number of available grant awards, only schools that are on the financial watch list are eligible.

For the purposes of this grant, rural emergency first response entities and school buildings located in rural school districts who have not received an AED via federal or state grant initiative are eligible for funding.

Grant evaluation criteria shall include the following:
• Applicant's current number of available AEDs
• Applicant's ability to support and sustain an AED program
• Geographical distribution of AEDs within the state
• Demonstrates ability to report data on AED use and outcome

Please note that all grant applications are to be postmarked by March 30, 2009.

If you have any questions concerning the AED grant project, please contact the Illinois Rural Health Association office at 866-921-4742 or IRHA@sbcglobal.net