2009-2010 Activity Year
Public Service Announcements to create awareness of Asthma and Smoking issues in West Virginia communities.
Developed by the WVAC Community Outreach & Education Subcommittee
Applications for grants of up to $500 were being accepted by the Community Outreach & Education Subcommittee Chair until June 2010 from 501-3-Cs who could receive funds to develop and implement an asthma education component along with an add campaign and/or public service announcement (psa) in their local community to bring awareness of the dangers of smoking and asthma. The subcommittee will present their results and findings on this project at the 9th Annual Asthma Retreat on August 12-13, 2010.
2008-2009 Activity Year
School-based Intervention
WVAC Schools and Pediatrics Subcommittee
The Schools and Pediatrics committee recently implemented a quality improvement project targeting asthma control by collaborating with school nurses, school-based health centers (SBHCs), parents and providers to strengthen student asthma care. School nurses and SBHCs conduceted an intervention with students who carry inhalers by measuring their asthma control, tracking school absences, providing education and referral to primary care providers based on the NHLBI Asthma Guidelines. The priority counties included in this project were: Fayette and Raleigh.
By acquiring three data collections per student over one year, the desired outcome was to have improved asthma control, decreased absences related to asthma, recognized care plan and improved collaboration between schools, parents and providers. Pilot site coordinators, along with county health departments, regional tobacco specialists, applicable staff and SBHCs were trained at the June 2008 Summer Institute. The training consisted of educating the participants on the asthma project with an overview of the roles and responsibilities of each pilot site.
A report was completed and submitted by the subcommittee in August 2009.
Past News
Executive Committee and Subcommittee Chairs for 2009-2010
President: Len Picha
Vice President: Krista Capehart
Clinical Asthma Management Co-Chairs: Adam Baus and Heidi Putnam-Casdorph
Community Outreach and Education Chairs: Trisha Petitte
Data Sharing Chair: Georgia Narsavage
Environment Chair: Jeanne Chandler
School and Pediatrics Chairs: Paula Fields and Joan Skaggs
- Camp Catch Your Breath - an annual camp just for children with asthma in WV - was held July 25-30, 2010, at Jackson's Mill, WV. If you or someone you know is interested in attending the camp or being a volunteer, please contact Chantal Fields at the American Lung Association in WV by calling 304.342.6600 or by email at cfields@lunginfo.org.
- The 9th Annual Asthma Retreat held by the WVAC and the AEPP was held at the Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, WV on August 12-13, 2010. Coalition members, partners, health care providers, members from the community and individuals with asthma attended this year's event. For more information on this event check out the agenda listed under Coalition Meetings agendas tab and minutes.
- The WVAC held it's 8th Annual Asthma Retreat at the Bridgeport Conference Center in Bridgeport, WV on August 11-12, 2009. The WV Asthma Education and Prevention Program and the WVAC unveiled the NEW Strategic Plan for Addressing Asthma in WV (you'll find it listed on the main page of this website). This State Plan will be the basis of planning and implementation of new goals and activities for the next 5 years! Also, this was the largest event and attendence to date! Thank you to all who participated! We look forward to a new year!
Past Executive and Subcommittee Chairs: 2008-2009
The chairs were as follows:
President: Cecil Pollard
Vice President: Dr. Krista Capehart
Clinical Asthma Management Co-Chairs: Adam Baus and Heidi Putnam-Casdorph
Community Outreach and Education Chair: Deloris Wilder
Data Sharing Chair: Dr. Mary Emmett
Environment Chair: Carrie Brainard
School and Pediatrics Co-Chairs: Paula Fields and Mary Grandon