FCPS ACE

Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education Program (FCPS ACE) Announces Achievements of Its 2025 CPR Program and Introduces New Initiative for Local Non-Medical Businesses and Organizations

The leading workforce development and lifelong learning program empowers Fairfax County and the greater region with lifesaving skills and now expanded opportunities.

Fairfax, VA – October 30, 2025  – The Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education program (FCPS ACE) that empowers individuals to build brighter futures with accessible and affordable workforce development and training programs, announces the successful of its 2025 CPR program and introduces a new initiative designed for local, non-medical businesses and organizations within Fairfax County and Northern Virginia.

The FCPS ACE CPR program offers community level and professional training in saving lives and helping others. This includes Heartsaver training, which provides both community members and non-medical professionals who care for children, training and CPR cards. FCPS ACE also offers Basic Life Support (BLS) training for healthcare professionals who require initial certification and recertification to maintain their licensure. Over the past few months, the FCPS ACE CPR program has enabled nearly 200 individuals from the community to become certified. Students who recently participated in the program have cited the program to be:

  • Very comprehensive and full of helpful information.
  • Confident in ability to administer.
  • I appreciated the hands-on experience and realistic examples from the class Instructor.
  • I appreciated the instructors’ ability to make the materials and steps easy to understand and enabled students to better follow along and stay engaged.
  • I appreciated the instructor’s in ‘real-time’ feedback and overall interactive nature of the class.

FCPS ACE’s CPR Instructors shared why learning CPR is a critical skill everyone should learn and why they are passionate about teaching this program:

“As an RN in cardiac ICU and an NP in and out of the hospital, I have seen so many CPR success stories. Including instances where a person just happen to have their cardiac arrest in front of someone who JUST received their CPR training the week before,” Lorena Williams explained. “Performing CPR as a clinician has been some of the most rewarding work I have done. You do not have to be a professional to save a life – you can just be in the right place at the right time.”

“I became involved in CPR after my husband had a heart attack. It was very important for me to know what to do and to be able to teach my children what to do if something happened. I have been teaching CPR for twenty plus years and enjoy meeting people and sharing this amazing skill. Having this skill can help to save a life whether it be a family member, friend, or stranger. And I have been fortunate to teach CPR to both adults and children,” Savita Sood commented.

In response to growing community interest in acquiring CPR skills, FCPS ACE has introduced a new program specifically designed for businesses and organizations located in Fairfax County and the greater Northern Virginia region. This initiative enables teams from various entities to participate in group certification courses at FCPS ACE. Initial collaborations have included houses of worship and Scouting Troops. The program has now expanded to offer group classes for Athletic Leagues, Lifeguards, Parks and Recreation personnel, Social Workers, and more. Additionally, FCPS ACE provides the Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED course, which equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to and manage pediatric illnesses and injuries during the critical moments before professional assistance arrives. This course is tailored for individuals involved in childcare, including daycare providers, teachers, camp counselors, babysitters, and others.

All FCPS ACE CPR programs reflect the science and education from the American Heart Association Guidelines Update for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) and the 2025 AHA Guidelines for First Aid. Students participate in a one-day certification class at an FCPS ACE program location, which include the Plum Center, Herndon Learning Center, and the Pimmit Hills Center.

“The significant interest in our CPR programming and training from students and the wider community underscores the region’s recognition of this essential lifesaving skill,” stated Jerry Hinn, Health and Medical Program Specialist at FCPS ACE. “Not only is this skill vital for saving lives, but it also provides community members with enhanced employment opportunities. High school students and young adults can leverage their certification to secure positions such as becoming babysitters or camp counselors. Furthermore, employers now have access to a local partner for group CPR certification or connection with CPR-certified students from FCPS ACE. We look forward to continuing to partner with more community organizations to strengthen access to lifesaving skills across the region.”

For more information about FCPS ACE’s CPR program or to register for a CPR or Group Course, please visit the Health and Medical Emergency Response section on fcpsace.org or click here. Several new opportunities are posted for late fall and early 2026. For all inquiries, please email healthmed@fcps.edu.

 

About FCPS ACE

The Fairfax County Public Schools Adult and Community Education program (FCPS ACE) empowers individuals, organizations, and the community to build brighter futures with accessible and affordable workforce development and training programs, flexible online education, and lifelong learning opportunities. Whether you are exploring post high school career options, newly graduated, a returning learner, or looking to retrain or pivot in your career, FCPS ACE embraces diversity and welcomes all students. We eliminate barriers with learning options that fit seamlessly into your life, provide low-cost entry points for education that transforms the lives of our students, and deliver a top talent pool and advancement opportunities to the community. From life empowerment learning and workforce ready basics such as Driver’s Ed and language building skills to quick paths to cutting-edge certifications, FCPS ACE makes your goals achievable. Our students’ success is what drives FCPS ACE. With more than 60 years of history and a deep connection to the local community, FCPS ACE is for you.