Asthma & Schools

Starlight-Starbright Children's Foundation Asthma Tool Kit for Schools

Tool Kit Cover     Contents of the Tool Kit      Credits

Click here for a list of documents that are included in the folders for specific school personnel.

ONLINE MATERIALS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 

Organizations around the country and the state have developed materials to help school personnel, parents, students, and community members make schools healthier for kids with asthma. Click on the great resources below to learn more:

NHLBI- Back to School with Asthma- Did you know that about 3 students in a classroom of 30 face the challenge of asthma? Whether you are a health professional or a parent, NHLBI has the resources to properly prepare for going back to school with asthma.  http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/joinhin/news/schoolasthma.htm

California Asthma Public Health Initiative (CAPHI) - http://www.betterasthmacare.org/: CAPHI works to improve the quality of life for all children and adults with asthma through implementation of effective programs and policies in asthma education, management, and prevention. CAPHI is part of the Chronic Disease Control Branch in the California Department of Public Health. While here you can download a copy of the Guidelines for Managing Asthma in Schools and Asthma Action Plans in 10 languages.

Starlight Starbright "Quest for the Code" online video game - http://asthma.starlightprograms.org/: The Starlight Starbright Foundation has made their asthma game "Quest for the Code" available online. Quest for the Code is a great tool for educating youth with asthma about the disease and about what they can do to help themselves manage it.

Journal of School Health (JOSH) special issue on Managing Asthma in Schools - http://www.ashaweb.org/journal_schoolhealth.html#asthma: This special issue features more than 25 research articles, brief reports, and case studies that cover a range of activities, such as asthma education programs for students and staff members, asthma-related health services, and policy changes. It includes an up-to-date list of resources for school-based asthma programs.

American Lung Association's Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative (AFSI) - http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22590: AFSI is designed to assist local communities and community organizations in planning and implementing comprehensive asthma management programs within their local schools and existing school structure. This site contains many resources for schools, including sample letters to parents, doctors, and others; sample policies; and handouts for advocating on behalf of students with asthma.

Useful websites for cleaning indoor air and indoor spaces:
• Green Schools Initiative - http://www.greenschools.net/: GSI works to catalyze and support “green” actions by kids, teachers, parents, and policymakers to eliminate toxics, use resources sustainably, create green spaces and buildings, serve healthy food, and teach stewardship.
• EPA Tools for Schools - http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/: Tools for Schools is curriculum designed to improve indoor air in schools. At this website you can find out more about the Tools for Schools curriculum and strategies for implementation.