Community:
Establish Linkages with Organizations to Develop Support Programs and Policies
- Identify key community organizations (churches, civic groups, clubs, schools, hospitals, banks, etc.) and let them know ideas for what they can do to make a difference. The community is a trusted access point for reaching people with asthma, their families, and their friends to support them in learning more about asthma and gaining control over it.
- Identify local/state/national interest groups (American Lung Association, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.).
- Before developing a relationship, review missions of different organizations to ensure compatibility.
- Identify team/clinic needs (asthma education, staff, spirometers, etc.) and approach other community organizations for help.
- Develop connections for information flow for Emergency Room visits and asthma admissions and monthly statistics (for example, automatic fax or ER visit note).
- Request education and services from universities, colleges, managed care organizations, state Chronic Disease Programs, and extension services.
- Develop memoranda of understanding or similar documents as needed to define partnerships.
- Prepare a brief presentation that outlines the goals of the asthma project, the mission of your organization, and what you are striving to do for the community you serve. Offer to do the presentation to local service organizations, American Lung Association conferences, or workshops sponsored by universities or professional organizations.
- Work with Americorps/VISTA to place staff to work on the asthma project.
- Ask for community representatives to attend and be part of advisory groups.
- Periodically review partnerships and agreements to determine success.
- Identify clinic leadership to serve on community boards.
- Enlist support of pharmacies in noting too-frequent refills of metered-dose inhalers for beta-agonists.
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