Step 3: Key Contacts Within the School Community

Once participating schools have been identified, it is important to identify  key individuals within each school community, preferably at least two.

1. Consistent contact person

This person should be someone who knows the school well, can facilitate access to school meetings and activities and agrees to participate in an interview and needs assessment. It is often an administrator. Principals may delegate another staff member to be this point person, however it needs to be someone who will have the authority to make decisions.

Examples include:

School administrators/designates

• School administrators determine whether a program succeeds or not in a school. They are the gatekeepers to all that occurs within the school community and can help or hinder any program. If they are supportive and enthusiastic you will be able to accomplish great things. If they are resistant in any way or not sold on the idea that asthma is an important issue to address in their school then you will have a challenge and may want to reconsider the school's participation.

Teachers

• Sometimes a principal/designate will identify a staff member with a personal interest in asthma (they may have a child with asthma or have asthma themselves) to be the consistent contact for the project. The Special Education resource teacher is often identified as a key contact among school personnel as they may have the responsibility for managing student medication and coordinating student medical issues. Other key staff may include Health and Physical Education teachers because they have an interest in health and wellness.

2. Asthma champion

The person who champions asthma may be the same as your contact person, however in some schools the contact is merely a contact and nothing else. Finding someone who can work with you to promote asthma education/awareness in the school isn't always easy and it isn't necessary, although it can be very beneficial. This person can help you promote asthma among the staff and students, distribute resources, help organize activities etc. A champion who is connected with the school in some way can also ensure asthma initiatives continue beyond your involvement with the school.

Teachers

• Teachers who are enthusiastic about the project or have a personal interest in asthma (they have it themselves or they have a child with it) may be willing to act as Champion.

School council members/parent volunteers

• Parents already involved in the school may be willing to assume the role of asthma champion, especially if they have a child with asthma or know someone who does.

School secretary

• Never underestimate the importance of the school secretary! Putting the effort into developing a positive relationship with this person does pay off! She/he is one of the most important people when trying to implement any school activities. At one school in the pilot, the school secretary had a teenage daughter with uncontrolled asthma. The project implementer (a public health nurse) provided her with information and directed her to appropriate medical resources. In return, she agreed to act as school asthma champion. The school secretary assumes many responsibilities and she was perfect in the role because of her daily contact with parents, administrators and teaching staff. She entered all the asthma information in the database and provided input into every school newsletter (asthma information was in every one!).

Other school personnel (e.g. secretaries, Education Assistants, caretakers)

• Other individuals may have a personal interest in asthma and may be willing and eager to act as a champion as well.

They are the gatekeepers to all that occurs within the school community and can help or hinder any program. If they are supportive and enthusiastic you will be able to accomplish great things. If they are resistant in any way or not "sold" on the idea that asthma is an important issue to address in their school then you will have a challenge and may want to reconsider the school’s participation.

Teachers

• Sometimes a principal/designate will identify a staff member with a personal interest in asthma (they may have a child with asthma or have asthma themselves) to be the consistent contact for the project. The Special Education resource teacher is often identified as a key contact among school personnel as they may have the responsibility for managing student medication and coordinating student medical issues. Other key staff may include Physical Education teachers because they have an interest in health and wellness.

2. Asthma champion

The person who champions asthma may be the same as your contact person, however in some schools the contact is merely a contact and nothing else. Finding someone who can work with you to promote asthma education/awareness in the school isn't always easy and it isn't necessary, although it can be very beneficial. This person can help you promote asthma among the staff and students, distribute resources, help organize activities etc. A champion who is connected with the school in some way can also ensure asthma initiatives continue beyond your involvement with the school.
Examples include:

Teachers

• Teachers who are enthusiastic about the project or have a personal interest in asthma (they have it themselves or they have a child with it) may be willing to act as Champion.

School council members/parent volunteers

• Parents already involved in the school may be willing to assume the role of asthma champion, especially if they have a child with asthma or know someone who does.

School secretary

• Never underestimate the importance of the school secretary! Putting the effort into developing a positive relationship with this person does pay off! She/he is one of the most important people when trying to implement any school activities. At one school in the pilot, the school secretary had a teenage daughter with uncontrolled asthma. The project implementer (a public health nurse) provided her with information and directed her to appropriate medical resources. In return, she agreed to act as school asthma champion. The school secretary assumes many responsibilities and she was perfect in the role because of her daily contact with parents, administrators and teaching staff. She entered all the asthma information in the database and provided input into every school newsletter (asthma information was in every one!).

Other school personnel (e.g. secretaries, Education Assistants, caretakers)

• Other individuals may have a personal interest in asthma and may be willing and eager to act as a champion as well.