The Socorro Independent School District is enhancing student safety through Project ADAM, a national initiative to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in children and teens. SISD is one of the first school districts in Region 19 to implement a standardized cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) as part of this initiative.
Through Project ADAM, all schools in Region 19 will collaborate to establish standardized cardiac emergency procedures across their campuses, aiming to achieve the Heart Safe School Designation. Additionally, staff members will receive essential training in CPR and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) provided by El Paso Children's Hospital, ensuring a prompt and effective response during emergencies.
“We're currently making history because Project ADAM has recognized El Paso as the first in the region and the first in the nation to fully implement a standardized cardiac emergency response plan that is implemented at all independent school districts in Region 19,” said Yuliana Tarango, SISD nurse manager.
All 54 school nurses in SISD will participate in the training, with the first session taking place on Jan. 6. The goal is to have all 50 SISD campuses certified as Project ADAM Heart Safe Schools by 2027. The district will begin the certification process with five schools, which include one high school, two middle schools, and three elementary schools. The designation will be awarded to schools that successfully implement a quality sudden cardiac arrest program.
Tarango said the training will strengthen the district’s collaboration with local emergency response agencies and improve their emergency response efforts.
“Cardiac health is very important because we have to be prepared where every second counts,” Tarango said.
SISD approved a memorandum of understanding with Project ADAM and El Paso Children’s Hospital in November 2025.
Manny Rodriguez, the SISD trustee for District 5, learned about Project ADAM through Region 19. He thought that partnering with the organization would be an excellent opportunity to enhance the district’s resources and support students through its heart-safety initiatives.
“I'm a very big champion for public health,” Rodriguez said. "I think that we have a responsibility of supporting initiatives that advance public health, and that could be done in many ways, including in our very own school district.”
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