Goal 6iv - Parents of Students With Asthma

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iv) Parents of Students with Asthma

Distribute information

Description:

In order for children to be successful self managers of their asthma it is necessary for parents to be informed and involved in creating asthma friendly schools.

Things to consider:

  • Send home or mail written invitations and calendars to inform parents of upcoming events/RAP dates.
  • Send asthma information/resource packages to parents of students participating in the RAP program as an alternative or supplement to a presentation or event.
  • Communicate with parents via letters/handouts regarding any asthma tools that need follow up at home i.e. Asthma Diary, Asthma Action Plan.
  • Obtain resources for parents free of charge from organizations such as the Lung Association, Ophea and the Asthma Society
  • Include information in parent package about local resources wherever possible.
  • Be aware of literacy levels and languages – many resources are available in other languages and lower literacy levels. (e.g., Lung Association resources).
  • Do not overload packages with information - provide a few valuable resources and an order form for parents to obtain additional information.
  • Encourage children to share information they learned in RAP with family members.
  • Invite parents to attend the last session of RAP to observe what their child has learned and participate in the group.

See Resources provided:

  • Sample Parent Letter with Asthma Diary (RAP Supplements Folder)
  • Sample Parent Letter with Asthma Action Plan (RAP Supplements Folder)
  • Sample Physician Letter with Asthma Action Plan (RAP Supplements Folder)
  • Refer to OLA website for parent resources
  • Second hand smoke information can be ordered from Program Training and Consultation Centre
    • Steps to make your home smoke free
    • Second-hand smoke makes your child's asthma worse

Publish School Newsletter Articles

Description:

Asthma newsletter articles have been designed to be inserted into school newsletters as a means of raising asthma awareness amongst readers (parents, students, school personnel) by covering key asthma topics. Articles in school newsletters are a good way to communicate asthma information and upcoming events. Schools prefer this method to a separate handout as it is less costly and requires less staff time to distribute. Since the school newsletter is, in most schools, a regular publication, parents are familiar with it and read it regularly.

Things to Consider:

  • Provide electronic copies of newsletters to principals/school contacts to make insertion into newsletter easier.
  • Suggest inserting a different newsletter article each month, such as triggers, warning signs, medications, how to handle an asthma emergency. This way it becomes a series and parents get a reminder about asthma on a regular basis.
  • Some principals/school contacts prefer receiving all newsletters at once so decision regarding which to insert and when is left up to them. They will consider available space, a theme or other factors.
  • Other principals prefer only receiving one newsletter at a time (electronically) so they don't forget to include it.
  • If sending newsletters one at a time, know when newsletters go home (e.g., first Wednesday of the month) and when the cut-off date for submissions is. Ensure timelines are met.
  • Encourage students, teachers or parents of students with asthma, to submit asthma articles for the school newsletter. They can write articles or draw pictures about their asthma or about their experience in the RAP program.
  • Ensure articles are succinct and easy to incorporate into newsletter. Adding graphics can attract readers.
  • Ensure that the literacy level of the article is appropriate for the parent population
  • Encourage an asthma "corner" be included for updates and for parent reminders to be included regularly.

See Resources:

Offer Asthma Education Events

Description:

In order for children to be successful self managers of their asthma it is necessary for parents to be informed and involved in creating asthma friendly schools.

Things to Consider:

  • Parents can be challenging to engage.
  • Historically asthma education events resulted in poor turnout except when it was linked with a routine community/school initiative. For example parent/teacher nights, monthly health seminars in hospitals.
  • Often education events are well attended by parents who are already very informed about managing their child's asthma. Many parents who would benefit from this type of asthma education unfortunately fail to attend.
  • Request that parents RSVP for the event as this can eliminate time and effort spent on preparing if turnout is poor. Be aware in some cases even an RSVP will not guarantee attendance.
  • Collaborate with community partners (Lung Association, Asthma Educators) wherever possible. This provides an opportunity to raise awareness and link parents to local resources and clinicians for more individual follow-up and education. Expenses can be shared with collaborative events.
  • Guest/expert speaker may increase attendance at event.
  • Offer refreshments.
  • Consider offering childcare during the session and/or activities for other children to participate in. Advertise event through various means such as mail-outs, phone calls, school newsletter inserts, and posters.

See Resources provided: