Community Setting

The National Capital Asthma Coalition (NCAC) developed a policy enacted into law by the DC Council as the “Student Access to Treatment Act of 2007" (A17-0226). This DC law permits public, charter, private, and parochial school students with a valid action plan to possess and self-administer lifesaving asthma or anaphylaxis medications at school, among other key provisions.

The National Capital Asthma Coalition (NCAC) published and conducted trainings with the “Managing Asthma and Allergies in DC Schools Guide” to help administrators, staff, and families create environments where students with asthma and allergies are healthy, active, and ready to learn. The guide provides recommendations for managing asthma, allergies, and anaphylaxis, including relevant laws, sample policies, forms, checklists, and classroom posters. It also offers guidance for emergency management of asthma and anaphylaxis. The final resource section links to many more useful tools and information.

DC launched its first-ever standard Asthma Action Plan form for children and adults developed collaboratively by members of NCAC’s Health Services & Quality Improvement Committee, piloted at Children’s National Medical Center, and endorsed by the DC Department of Health. The form includes copies to share with schools, childcare providers, nursing homes, and other caregivers. It also fulfills the requirements for student self-administration of asthma medication under DC’s Student Access to Treatment Act of 2007.