Initiatives for State Partners

We work with a number of state health partners to improve asthma self-management among Vermonters. Good self-management means higher quality of life, better sleep, and fewer missed school and/or workdays.

Asthma Advisory Panel

Long-time and newly interested health professionals, patients and partners are welcome to attend our quarterly Asthma Advisory Panel meeting. Presentations and discussions on current topics related to asthma management, clinical care and asthma-friendly interventions are facilitated by the program. Current partners include representatives from medical, hospital, insurer, community-based organizations, social services, and experts and advocates in air quality, housing, allergies and patient care. Reach out to us on [email protected] for more information and latest events.

Partnerships

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC’s National Asthma Control Program (NACP) funds a number of states and territories, including Vermont, for the new cooperative agreement “Advancing Health Equity in Asthma Control through EXHALE strategies” for better asthma control. EXHALE’s six strategies contribute to improving asthma control by addressing system-level, environmental, and social drivers of asthma disparities. The Vermont Asthma Program’s Strategies Plan aligns with the national EXHALE strategies.

American Lung Association (ALA)

ALA and the Vermont Department of Health have collaborated on various initiatives to address asthma in Vermont and improve health equity. The partnership involves asthma education and awareness, asthma self-management education, asthma-friendly schools, environmental health initiatives like healthy air at schools, policy and advocacy, data collection, and research.

University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC)

Vermont Asthma Program (VAP) closely collaborates with UVMMC to improve asthma care and self-management by providing tailored support for asthma to diverse and multilingual communities. UVMMC leverages its clinical expertise will facilitate referrals to asthma self-management education, 802Quits, and also support the data tracking for asthma action plan usage, emergency and hospitalization visits. UVMMC upholds its best practices and guideline-based care for asthma. 

Health Resources in Action (HRIA)

HRIA collaborates with VAP to enhance comprehensive asthma control and prevention services. HRIA facilitates teleconferences for the New England State Asthma Program Learning Community. Additionally, HRIA works with VAP to develop an online platform for asthma self-management. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield VT

As a major commercial insurer for Vermont, they provide chronic disease management services and support for those with asthma. Clinicians and self-referrals are accepted for Help Manage Your Health. Read more: here

Vermont Department of Health Access

Vermont’s Medicaid program is robust in offering accessible preventive services that support chronic disease prevention and management, including those related to respiratory health and asthma. The program removed prior approvals for asthma medications and provides spacers for optimal medication delivery. The department published Asthma Prevention Guidelines in 2023; you can contact DVHA or the Asthma Program Manager at [email protected]

Vermont Lung Center

Director Anne Dixon, a national expert in asthma research and guideline care, has played a pivotal role in formulating the 2020 Asthma Update with the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program at the National Institutes of Health. The Vermont Lung Center conducts research to improve asthma care, medications and treatments. For more information including studies open for enrollment:  Vermont Lung Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont

Vermont Children’s Health Improvement Program (VCHIP)

VCHIP is a nationally recognized program that has worked on education and quality improvement across many projects related to perinatal, adolescent and youth development topics. VCHIP has a strong history in educating and supporting pediatric and school nurses in asthma management and tobacco treatment including screening and treating vaping. VCHIP | College of Medicine | University of Vermont

Vermont Offices of Local Health (OLH)

OLH plays an instrumental role in educating the community on chronic disease prevention and management. OLH also runs the Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children which bolsters infant and children’s health including measures related to asthma.

University of Vermont/ UPeds

Dr. Kelly Cowan, pediatric pulmonologist from the University of Vermont (UPeds) closely work with VAP for capacity building through training for school nurses and other healthcare providers. Dr. Cowan provided a series of training courses about asthma self-management and education.  

One Touch

As part of One Touch, government and non-profit partners that “touch” homes use a common home checkup and referral system to make sure their clients get the health, housing and energy services they need. As a result:

  • Programs enhance their capacity to serve client needs and reduce administrative costs.
  • Clients get streamlined access to health, housing and energy services.

One Touch checkups are completed during every weatherization, lead hazard repair, and selected housing rehab jobs. Since its inception in 2014, over 400 families have received a One Touch assessment.

One Touch is a collaboration in the Burlington/Winooski area and also operates statewide. For more information, read this.

 

Home and School Resources

At home:

Building Science – Design and construction information for healthier buildings

At school or child care:

Healthy Air At School – Lung Association – Learn about the connections between asthma, indoor air quality and schools

National Association of School Nurses – The mission of NASN is to optimize student health and learning by advancing the practice of school nursing.

Envision Program

Poor indoor air quality in schools has been linked to decreased student and teacher performance, and increased absenteeism. Unhealthy air quality can result in acute symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headache, nausea, and lethargy, and chronic conditions such as asthma and allergy.

Envision—Promoting Healthy School Environments was created by the Legislature in 2000 as part of the School Environmental Health Act (Act 125) to address these issues by providing model environmental health management plans and guidance for schools. These new regulations are helping to ensure better indoor air quality and fewer triggers for children and staff with asthma, including green cleaning supplies and restricting lit tobacco products and e-cigarettes.

TitleDateType
Annual Asthma Action Plan01/23/2023PDF
Annual Asthma Education Codes08/26/2016PDF
Asthma Action Plan Provider Guidelines01/23/2023PDF
Asthma Posters for Providers01/23/2023PDF
Asthma Triggers Brochure01/23/2023PDF
Easy Breathing01/23/2023PDF
Maple Plan Overview01/23/2023PDF
Maple Plan Provider Script01/23/2023PDF
One Touch01/23/2023PDF

 

Topics:
Asthma | Chronic Disease
Last Updated: