The goal of the American Respiratory Alliance's School Asthma Initiative is to help improve asthma management for students in the school setting. This goal will be met through a multi-pronged approach which will build a school-wide support system for students with asthma to:

• Increase asthma awareness at school
• Develop individualized student asthma action plans
• Improve asthma knowledge and management skills in students with asthma
• Educate school personnel, students, and child care staff

Programs available to pre-schools and day care centers

Child Care Staff Asthma In-Service
  •  Basic asthma education and awareness
  •  Student Asthma Action Plan

Programs available to schools K-12
Education for Students with Asthma 
  •  Basic asthma education for K-12
  •  Communication skills
  •  Tools: peak flow meters/spacers
  •  Peer pressure issues

Asthma Awareness Day
  •  School-wide program designed for grades K-6
  •  Promotes a healthier support system for students with asthma
  •  Special presentations & demonstrations

Understanding My Friend's Asthma
  •  Single class program designed for grades 3-12
  •  Basic asthma education and awareness
  •  Peak flow meter demonstration

Asthma Education for Teachers
  •  Basic asthma education and awareness
  •  Early warning signs and triggers
  •  Utilizing a Student Asthma Action Plan
  •  Issues in the classroom, on field trips and during "after school" activity

The American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania offers a free school-based asthma management training program for school nurses, teachers and students. In-service hours qualify for Act 48.

School Nurse In-Service I
  •  Asthma policy and procedure
  •  Student Asthma Action Plan
  •  Exercise-induced asthma
  •  Student requests to carry inhalers
  •  Asthma Tool Kits

School Nurse In-Service II
  •  Lung Sounds Review
  •  Medication Updates
  •  Intervention strategies
  •  School Nurse Assessment Form

SAI EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
School Nurse Series:
Student Asthma Action Plan
Nurse Respiratory Assessment
Physical Signs of an Asthma Attack

Teacher Series:
Trigger Poster
Asthma Action in the Classroom
All About Asthma

For the student with asthma and family:
P.O.C.W.A. (Parents of Children With Asthma)
Inspired: My Asthma Journal
Scratch-a-Dose
Student Asthma Action Plan