Other spotlights can be accessed by visiting http://www.calasthma.org/about_cafa/spotlight_archive/.
Every year the Solano Asthma Coalition (SAC) reviews the Coalition’s accomplishments and how best to continue and build on those successes. SAC has had marked success in bringing a variety of asthma issues into focus for the community. The positive changes that Solano County has seen are a tribute to the hard work of numerous individuals, organizations, and government bodies. We know that recognition of those who have made a difference is critical to reaching our goals.
Every year, on World Asthma Day, SAC hosts the Asthma Challenge Awards, a dynamic program that recognizes achievements and helps build on successes year after year. SAC has found the Asthma Challenge Awards to be an effective recognition and educational tool. The Asthma Challenge Awards provide an opportunity for SAC to:
· recognize community and individual achievements in asthma-related issues;
· promote awareness of the Coalition;
· educate the public about asthma issues;
· establish and cement relationships with community partners; and
· promote Coalition objectives and goals.
Our 1st Annual Asthma Challenge Awards was held at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo in 2004. The following individuals were recognized:
· Rob Pierce, Director, Facilities & Construction, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD). FSUSD sponsored a school bond Measure C that generated $100 million for school renovation and construction projects throughout the District, which includes eliminating most of the "portable" classrooms.
· Judy Carlson, Transportation Director, Vallejo City Unified School District (VUSD). VCUSD set an example as a proactive school district by providing a written procedure and related training for all school bus drivers, along with ongoing efforts to reinforce the benefit of the idling regulation as part of safety meetings.
· Mike Johnson, County Administrator, Solano County. In March 2003, the first phase of Solano County's solar generating system was completed at the Health & Social Services Headquarters building in Fairfield. The 230 kW system has produced enough electricity to spare the environment from over 71 tons of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide. All are major contributors to smog and acid rain. Over the next 25 years, the completed improvements of this energy project will reduce emissions by nearly 34,000 tons.
· Ken Handley, Benicia Fire Chief. The City of Benicia implemented the Community Alert & Notification System, a network of safety sirens and media links to warn and inform the community of potential hazard to public health and safety. Information was included in water bills, as well as on an informative refrigerator magnet.
· Gilbert Vega, Vice Mayor, City of Dixon, in conjunction with the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District. The City of Dixon implemented a flag project alerting residents to actions they can take to improve air quality and for the Spare The Air Day campaign.
· Pat Moreno, Assistant City Manager, City of Vacaville. On October 9, 2003, Vacaville became the first city in Solano County and the second largest city in the state to enact an ordinance curtailing smoking in parks. Tobacco-Free Parks Ordinance 12.28.091 restricts smoking to designated areas of city parks including parking lots and park perimeters. The City Council approved the ordinance after a comprehensive effort spearheaded by the Solano County Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, Solano County Tobacco Education Coalition and the Vacaville Tobacco-free Parks Committee. However, the ordinance included a sunset clause that would make the ordinance expire in October 2005. In January 2005 the sunset clause was removed.
· Marci Coglianese, Mayor, City of Rio Vista. As a public health issue, Rio Vista has taken the lead in working with various interested groups as an advocate to prevent air quality degradation by bioaerosols from treated wastewater sludge and biosolids applied to the fields upwind of the city.
· Tom Harmon, Librarian, Solano County Library. During May, in a community-wide effort for Asthma Awareness Month, all Solano County libraries displayed an Asthma Information Board. Tom Harmon developed an asthma resource pamphlet entitled Health Resources-Asthma that is now a permanent handout in all Solano County libraries. SAC Asthma Educational Pinwheels were distributed on the Literacy Cart.
· Denise Kirnig, Nutrition Service Manager, Solano County Women, Infant and Child (WIC) Program. Each Solano County WIC office distributed the SAC Asthma Educational Pinwheels and other asthma information to their clients.
In 2005, the 2nd Annual Asthma Challenge Awards was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield and the Coalition recognized the following:
The City of Fairfield. In October 2004, the City of Fairfield passed the Wood Burning Ordinance, an important measure that will improve outdoor air quality and reduce asthma suffering through the reduction of particulates, as asthma trigger.
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD). The YSAQMD passed the Wood Burning Appliances “Rule” in December 2004, encouraging the cities of Vacaville, Dixon, and Rio Vista to pass related wood burning ordinances.
The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) and Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD). These school districts implemented the Spare The Air Day Banner program, hosted the Kaiser “Arrr-sthma” play, and availed themselves of our Front Office Training. All three components help in the ongoing effort to reduce the burden of asthma on our children and to encourage better understanding of asthma.
Kaiser Permanente Educational Theater Program. The Kaiser troupe presented 10 performances of “Arrr-sthma” to nearly 3,000 elementary students. “Arrr-sthma” is a swashbuckling pirate adventure addressing asthma awareness and education. With the help of the audience, the hero learns how to manage his asthma in time to save his true love and defeat the evil Captain Look. SAC developed a pirate hat with an asthma message printed in both English and Spanish that was given to all students.
The Girl Scout Council of Napa-Solano. The Council encouraged better understanding of asthma and the link to air pollution by offering Girl Scouts throughout Solano County the Care For The Air patch developed by SAC. Care For The Air offers activities focusing on asthma triggers, ozone monitoring, and carpooling. To date, 47 Girl Scouts have earned this patch.
KUIC Radio, Vacaville. KUIC highlighted the Solano Asthma Coalition through their “Helping Your Hometown” segment. Through numerous airings of the segment, KUIC educated Solano County of the ongoing effort to reduce the burden of asthma by informing the public of resources available in Solano County.
Fairfield Daily Republic. The Daily Republic played an important role in educating the public through its coverage of the issues and work relating to asthma, thereby reducing asthma suffering in Solano County.
Currently, SAC is planning its 3rd Annual Asthma Challenge Awards that will be held at The Opera House in Vacaville on May 2, World Asthma Day. In 2006, SAC will recognize the following individuals and organizations in the areas of Environment, Education, Public Communication, and Leadership:
Solano County Board of Supervisors. On December 13, 2005, Solano County passed the Wood Burning Ordinance helping to improve outdoor air quality making Solano County an even better place to live.
Felicia Flores-Workman, Solano County Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC). TEC spearheaded the comprehensive effort to enact the City of Vacaville’s Smoking Restrictions in Parks policy. This law protects everyone’s health, smokers as well as nonsmokers, from the harmful health effects of second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke is especially dangerous for children and adults with asthma or other chronic illnesses. This group is currently focusing their efforts on the Solano County Smoke-Free Parks Ordinance.
John Aycock, Superintendent, Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD). The VUSD included an asthma segment in their Wellness Policy, and encouraged other school districts to do the same.
Ben Edokpayi, Editor, Dixon Tribune. Ben played an important role in educating the public through coverage of the issues and work related to asthma, helping to reduce asthma suffering in Solano County.
Valerie A. Ansley, Program Director, Solano Asthma Coalition (2001-2005). Valerie Ansley was instrumental in her efforts to reduce problems associated with asthma in Solano County. The Coalition will recognize Valerie’s leadership skills by honoring her with the first “Valerie A. Ansley Leadership Award.”
One of the Coalition’s long-range goals calls for the passage of the wood burning ordinance in all cities within Solano County, as well as Solano County. This year as we recognize the Solano County Board of Supervisors for passing the wood burning ordinance, it will bring focus to the benefits of the wood burning ordinance to the Cities of Vacaville, Vallejo, Dixon, and Rio Vista. A second major goal for SAC is the implementation of the EPA Tools for Schools (TfS) in our local school districts, and we feel the Asthma Challenge Awards is a great way to introduce TfS to our school districts.
We believe past and current recognition given to media groups continues to build bonds with those groups facilitating our asthma message and making the media more than just a passive partner. A great example is Ben Edokpayi of the Dixon Tribune. Ben’s awareness of our work prompted him to call us in November 2005 when he heard about the multimillion dollar Environmental Protection Agency grant given to U.C. Davis to study the relationship between particulate matter and health matters. Ben brought this issue to our attention and asked for our comment. During the period of October through December 2005, five local newspapers published eight articles for our Coalition. We value our relationship with the media and believe they are the Coalition’s lifeline to the community.
Each Asthma Challenge Award not only recognizes past efforts but educates, inspires, trains, and directly leads to progress and participation the following year. Person to person, group to group, governmental agency to governmental agency, everyone learns to benefit from past successes and increased awareness of what works.
Everyone appreciates recognition for their efforts. We believe the Asthma Challenge Awards has been a great tool to thank our community in helping us realize our vision that Solano County will be a community where people with asthma can live in a healthy environment and enjoy an active lifestyle.
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