In Missouri, approximately 66,000 children have uncontrolled asthma,
leading to thousands of avoidable school absences and hospitalizations.
AAFA – St. Louis wants to get you the resources you need to help keep children in the classroom and out of emergency rooms. After running RESCUE for 12 years in the Greater St. Louis metro area, AAFA will be expanding the program statewide and getting lifesaving asthma resources to public schools across Missouri.
Now fully funded, the program is launching in time for the 2023-2024 school year.
Legislation
Section 167.635.1, RSMo (formerly HB1188) permits school districts in Missouri to maintain a stock supply of “asthma- related rescue medications” for use in the care of any student who is having a life-threatening asthma episode. It also allows a school nurse or other trained employee to administer such medication.
RESCUE Missouri School is generously funded by a grant administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Schools. This grant enables AAFA to obtain community and school district-wide prescriptions, purchase asthma equipment, and train and support school officials.
Get started today
We’re excited to partner with your school and to get equipment and resources into every community.
Program Details
RESCUE is an asthma intervention program for schools that helps keep children with asthma in the classroom and out of emergency rooms.
Thanks to HB 1188, schools in Missouri are allowed to store and administer “undesignated” asthma medication to students, staff, and school visitors experiencing a medical emergency. For some school districts, getting a standing order, filling out a prescription or procuring equipment has been challenging.
With a grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America chapter in Missouri will be able to give asthma equipment to all public K-12 schools in Missouri. We have been operating the RESCUE program for 12 years in the St. Louis metro area and have proven experience working with providers, pharmacists, and school districts to keep kids safe.
RESCUE Materials
The RESCUE program has three packages:
- A medication package with a metered dose inhaler and albuterol solution.
- An equipment package with 2 chambers and 10 disposable spacers
- An education box with 1 peak flow meter, a compressor kit, nebulizer tubing, and a storage tote bag
Schools with higher enrollment and higher asthma risk will receive multiple sets of medication and equipment.
To see how exactly what your school or school district is eligible for, please check out school allocation spreadsheet.
Training
We are offering many training opportunities at the start of the school year. There is a combination of virtual, on-demand, and in-person training sessions. Register for one of our coming training sessions:
Monday, September 18 – Virtual
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Register
Thursday, September 21 – Virtual
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Register
Tuesday, September 26 – Virtual
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Register
Tuesday, September 28 – Virtual
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Register
Thursday, October 5 – In-Person
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Register
If you would like to schedule a virtual or in-person training for your school district and/or region, please contact AAFA’s Director of Programs, Naomi Soto: [email protected].
Other Important Links:
Virtual Office Hours
Finally, as we kick off RESCUE you may have additional questions. The AAFA team will host virtual office hours every Tuesday at 12 PM – 1PM CST through December 20. Please visit the Zoom link below if you would like to attend – no appointment necessary!
Click the link here: https://zoom.us/j/95931184036
Download our Program Flyer and FAQ below: