Asthma Prevention School Programs

Asthma workshops for school personnel

CAPP offers free asthma workshops for school personnel in Philadelphia schools. These workshops:

• Are designed for classroom teachers, health and PE teachers, coaches, and school nurses
• Provide a basic understanding of asthma, its symptoms and treatments
• Educate school personnel about the impact of asthma on attendance, school performance and learning

CAPP is a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-approved Act 48 provider. Attendees receive Act 48 credits. Additionally, the Research Review Committee of the School District of Philadelphia has authorized the Community Asthma Prevention Program's work in Philadelphia schools.

Asthma classes for children

Since Fall 2005, CAPP has been working with public and charter schools in Philadelphia to bring asthma education classes to children. Each class series provides four, 1-hour classes that are designed for children in grades 1 through 12 who have asthma. The children are taught practical asthma management techniques, with parents participating in the final class session. Free asthma devices as well as giveaways such as mattress and pillow covers are provided.

A description of this program, titled CAPP of Philadelphia Overview - in the Schools (PDF), is also available on our Resources for Professionals page. According to the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2002, children 5 to 17 years of age missed 14.7 million school days due to asthma. We hope to decrease this number in Philadelphia one school at a time!