$3.5 Million in Reimbursements for Purchases of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) For Texas Schools Still Unclaimed With Deadline Approaching

Of $9 million appropriated by the Texas legislature to reimburse State public and private schools for purchases of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), $3.5 million remains unclaimed. Texas schools are still eligible to make an AED purchase under the reimbursement program until the November 14, 2008 deadline.

AEDs are portable defibrillators used by lay people with CPR training to resuscitate victims of cardiac arrest and have been deployed on thousands of school campuses nationwide. Texas Senate Bill 7 mandates at least one AED per school campus.

Reimbursements are facilitated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Sources at TEA verified the funding availability, but had no information on what would happen to any unused monies.

If your school needs an AED, this is an opportunity not to be overlooked. There is still time to act. Here’s what to do:

1. To determine your school's eligibility, visit this website.
   Also call Dina Hernandez, TEA Division of Formula Funding, at (512) 463-8525 to verify funds for this program are still available.

2. Call us at the AED Superstore at (800) 544-0048.
   Our friendly team will provide all the information you need to make a smart AED choice and expedite your paperwork. We will fax or email your invoice immediately.

3. Complete the AED Reimbursement Form (Microsoft Word document).
   This original form and our supporting documentation must be received at the Division of Formula Funding by 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday, November 17, 2008.

   Faxed and emailed copies will not be accepted.

   Mail or hand-deliver materials to:

   Texas Education Agency
   Division of Formula Funding, Room 6-112
   1701 North Congress Avenue
   Austin, TX 78701-1494