McAllen, TX (KRGV) — The Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department received a $25,000 grant through the 2026 National Integrated Heat Health Information System to help protect young athletes from extreme heat.

The department plans to use the money for heat safety training in the spring and new equipment to help keep teens cool in the summer.

County officials are currently seeking community input on which youth sports groups should participate and how best to allocate the funds.

County data shows why the training is needed.

“Our emergency room data between January 2025 and June 2026 showed about 330 individuals with heat-related illnesses in the emergency room, and about 42% of those were our teenagers and young adults. So that shows a gap,” Amy Gonzalez, Hidalgo County’s lead epidemiologist, said.

Gonzalez said the training will bring together school and youth sports leaders, including athletic and band directors.

“We wanted to be able to do something where we can have these organizations practice their response plan, perhaps revise them if needed, and if they don't have something, they'll be able to leave this training with the plan in place for their organization,” Gonzalez said.

Aaron McFarland, a volunteer coach for the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, said he keeps the heat in mind during football and basketball practices and games.

“Understanding the signs of heat exhaustion when you're in the heat, whether they stop sweating, they start slurring, or they start to have cramps — all those things really signal that you need to take a break with the player, get them some water, or make sure that they sit off to the side,” McFarland said.

McFarland said he saw how quickly the heat could affect players last summer.

“You have players who aren't hydrated as they come, and they really start to cramp. You can see the fatigue. You can see it happening,” McFarland said. “I think it's really important for us to all rally around that and educate the coaches to keep the players safe so the players keep playing.”

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