Illinois Extension Now Offering CPR Training Kits to Strengthen Community Safety

A person wearing gloves is practicing CPR on a CPR dummy.

Illinois Extension is excited to announce that CPR in Schools Training Kits are now available for community partners, schools, and organizations to borrow—thanks to the generous support of the American Heart Association. These kits provide an accessible, hands‑on way to teach life‑saving skills across Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties.

“CPR is a vital skill that everyone should know, and providing this training throughout Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties will help more people be prepared to act when it matters most.” Said Tara Heath, Extension County Director.

Each kit includes video‑led instruction and materials to train 10–20 participants in approximately 45–60 minutes, making it easy for anyone to coordinate a session—no prior CPR experience required.

Kits are available at all local Extension offices (Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties) and can be requested online at go.illinois.edu/CPR .  A one‑week notice is requested for pickup, and with two weeks’ advance notice, additional kits can be delivered to an office location if needed. Borrowers will be asked to complete a brief demographic sheet so Illinois Extension can report community impact.

Questions may be directed to Shelby Carlson, Youth Development Educator, via email, srcarls2@illinois.edu.

These CPR kits offer a simple, effective way for local groups to build confidence, preparedness, and stronger, safer communities.

About Extension

University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.