Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitators

The Open Airways For Schools® program is available through the American Lung Association to schools and school districts, as well as organizations and individuals interested in serving as certified facilitators for the program.

What Is an Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitator?

An Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitator is a person who:

• Wants to help children learn how to control their asthma
• Can relate to children, offer support for their concerns and refer them for any extra help they may need
• Helps children participating in Open Airways For Schools improve their quality of life

Great facilitators are important to successful Open Airways For Schools programs. Years of research and feedback from participating schools show that effective facilitators have good organizational skills, listening skills, are flexible and adaptable to changes within a school. They also have a genuine sense of empathy for children with asthma.

In addition to those characteristics, each Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitator:

• Must not have used tobacco in any form for at least 12 months
• Must have completed the Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitator Training from the American Lung Association within the last three years

An Open Airways For Schools facilitator can be a school nurse or other staff member, a community asthma educator or a volunteer who likes working with children. Some knowledge and experience with asthma is preferred, but not required.

Becoming an Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitator

Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitators must complete a training coordinated by a chartered American Lung Association office. The training includes basic information about asthma, modeling of appropriate skills, a thorough review of the curriculum and tips for working with children.

To become an Open Airways For Schools Certified Facilitator in your area, contact your local American Lung Association by calling 1-800-LUNG-USA or click here to find your local office.

Bringing Open Airways For Schools to Your School

Parents, healthcare providers or school personnel who are interested in bringing Open Airways For Schools to their school district should contact their local American Lung Association office. The Open Airways For Schools program is a recommend component of the Asthma-Friendly Schools Initiative (AFSI), a comprehensive approach to asthma management in schools. AFSI and the AFSI Toolkit provides guidance to community-school coalitions working to create long-term asthma management plans for their school or school system.