The Orange County Health Department in collaboration with the American Lung Association in Florida are working to help Orange County childcare centers become more Asthma-Friendly. The Asthma-Friendly Childcare Center Project is a local project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and endorsed and recognized by the Florida Asthma Coalition. This project provides the opportunity for ALL childcare center staff to receive free on-line training.  Participating centers can also be recognized for their efforts to become a more Asthma Friendly Childcare Center. 

Childcare Centers that participate in the project will have their center staff educated and equipped to provide a comprehensive asthma management program for children with asthma enrolled at their childcare location. Some other project goals include: provide support to children and their families who are dealing with asthma, provide assistance to ensure children with asthma have an asthma action plan on file, provide asthma educational opportunities for parents and identifying, managing and controlling asthma triggers in the childcare setting.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children under 18, affecting more than 5 million children in the United States. It is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease. Each day in the United States, over 40,000 people miss school or work due to asthma. When a child misses school, a parent also misses work.

For more information about the free training for childcare center staff, visit the Orange County Health Department’s at www.orchd.com   If you would like to become involved and help teach children with asthma how to live fuller and healthier lives we invite you to attend the American Lung Association’s Open Airways for Schools Facilitator training. This training will take place on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 9:00am-1:30pm at the American Lung Association in Florida located at 851 outer Road, Orlando, Florida 32814.  Training is free and provides 4 contact hours of continuing education for nurses and for respiratory care personnel. Register by calling 407-425-5864 extension 1300.