9101 Quarter Horse Lane
Ft. Worth, TX 76123
817.297.3132 
Toll-free 888.933.AAFA

www.aafatexas.org
info@aafatexas.org

Joan Hart, Executive Director

Serving the state of Texas.

Announcing a New Program! 2007-08 Academic Scholarships for Texas Students with Asthma

For details, criteria and applications, please go to www.aafatexas.org or http://aafatexas.org/scholarships.htm  Deadline for applications is March 30, 2008 so act now!

What Services and Programs Does AAFA--Texas Chapter Provide?

We offer many educational programs and services for patients, caregivers, physicians and allied health professionals, including:

• Child care provider and teacher education programs
• 2 CEU programs for nurses and respiratory therapists focusing on asthma management and anaphylaxis
• Worksite Lunch & Learn Wellness Programs
• Asthma device distribution to those in need
• Free educational materials in English and Spanish
• Prescription assistance program
• Toll-free information helpline 1.888.932.2232
• Free bi-monthly  e-newsletter
• Patient/caregiver educational program, "Tools to Manage Your Child's Asthma & Allergies"
• Health fair participation
• Patient support groups
• CME Category 1 accredited program for medical professionals: ”Diagnosing & Managing Asthma: Successful Asthma Control for Kids and Adults” for primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses
• “Tools To Manage Asthma & Allergies In Schools: A Guidebook for Nurses, Teachers and Administrators”
• Non-biased resources and referrals for patients
• A website dedicated to patient, caregiver and professional education with many free downloadable articles and an archive of e-newsletters

Asthma and allergy sufferers can all breathe a little easier through education about the proper treatment and control plans, through disease awareness and with support. Asthma is incurable but is controllable; we now know more than ever before how to properly manage it.  Inadequate management of asthma is largely responsible for the high levels of mortality and morbidity in the United States due to this disease.

That’s where AAFA’s Texas Chapter can help.  The mission of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Texas Chapter (formerly North Texas Chapter) is to help asthma and allergy sufferers to successfully manage and control their diseases through education, information, training and referrals.

Community Education

Patient and caregiver education comes first in the management of asthma and allergic diseases.  Learning about the underlying causes of asthma, the relationship of asthma and allergies and proper use of medications helps increase the quality of life for everyone affected by these diseases, reduces absenteeism, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and medical costs.

Asthma and Allergy Essentials for Child Care Providers

This nationally acknowledged program is accredited by the State of Texas for three clock hours in continuing education for childcare providers.   It teaches those who work with children how to manage children in their care who have asthma and allergies.

Tools To Manage Your Child’s Asthma & Allergies

Simultaneous education programs for parents/caregivers and children  which identifies triggers or allergens, teaches the control of these allergens, compliance with proper disease management plans and treatment options in order to reduce school or work absenteeism and improve the quality of life.

Worksite Lunch & Learn Wellness Programs

Programs designed to educate and assist adults with the identification, treatment, control and management of these diseases in order to reduce absenteeism, loss of workplace productivity and improve the quality of life.

Asthma Management and Education Program

This is an interactive certified continuing medical education program that teaches the latest techniques in asthma care for nurses and respiratory therapists.

Helping Kids Breathe Easier

An assistance program for children in need to help provide medications, specialist visits, disease devices, bedding encasements and other services to these patients.

“Tools To Manage Asthma & Allergies in Schools”

A handbook for nurses, teachers and administrators on the control and management of these diseases in schools, distributed free to over 4500 schools throughout Texas.

Community Outreach: Asthma & Allergies – Facts or Fiction?

A patient/caregiver program provided to community-based groups, schools and PTAs, complete with an extensive handbook about these diseases.

Accredited Professional Education: “Diagnosing & Managing Asthma: Successful Asthma Control for Kids and Adults”

A category 1 CME program for primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses of all specialties who want to know: the Standard of Care for asthma management; how to accurately assess exacerbations and determine asthma severity; the affect of Co-Morbidities on asthma; the role of allergic inflammation and the pathophysiology in the treatment of asthma; the effectiveness of Beta2Agonists and the role new drugs play in asthma treatment; when to step-up or step-down medications and how to treat steroid resistant asthma.

“The Recognition and Treatment of Anaphylaxis”

An accredited continuing education program for nurses worth 3 contact hours focusing on food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Patient Support and Public Awareness Activities

These include Food Allergy Support Team of Texas, an asthma support group in Houston, our free electronic newsletter, Air It Out, a resource-laden Web site (www.aafatexas.org ), free distribution of asthma devices to patients in need, free patient helpline, patient referrals and disease resource center and Health Fair participation.