CAFA Coalition Spotlight: Tulare County Asthma Coalition
The Tulare County Asthma Coalition focuses on bringing a cross section of people together who have a stake in asthma education and provide them with resources and training so asthma is better managed. The coalition was formed in September 2000 with mostly health professionals providing asthma education to the general public. The mission statement is to improve health and community awareness related to asthma and the slogan is “I CAN” initiative to control asthma now.
The coalition raised money through sponsorships and booth fees to coordinate and sponsor an annual asthma adventure fair for the community along with numerous health fairs staffed with volunteer members.
In 2002, the coalition received funding from The California Endowment to participate in the initiative Community Action to Fight Asthma (CAFA) as one of the 12 community-based coalitions. The mission to reduce asthma triggers in school aged children enabled us to look at ways to incorporate a low-allergy plant program on new school campuses. The idea is to reduce allergy triggers on the school yard. We were successful in planting a low allergy landscape on a new elementary school in Tulare with members volunteering to do the planting. Low-allergy plants are worked into the school districts plans for up coming new schools currently in construction.
The coalition has implemented the Air Quality Flags Program in 80 schools to inform teachers, coaches, staff, parents and students about the current day’s outdoor air quality status. Schools are able to take action to prevent exposure to high outdoor air pollutants. We are assisting schools in the county that currently do not have flags to implement this program.
Currently the coalition is working on establishing indoor air quality improvement program in schools using the EPA’s “Tools for Schools” program. We will assist schools in implementing a comprehensive trigger reduction program to improve indoor air quality at schools.
The coalition also provides advocacy on a regular basis supporting legislation, rules and regulations that decrease asthma triggers and improve the health of asthmatics. One member of our coalition sits on the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s Advisory Committee and provides input and recommendations on strategies to reducing air pollution.
The coalition continues to raise funds through activities such as annual asthma adventure fair, asthma walk, and educational grants to provide community education and awareness of asthma. Members of the coalition are committed to their community and volunteer to help with activities.
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