Childhood Asthma & Adult Program (CAAP Initiative) Sponsored by CDC Service Grant via NJ-DOH
The project— “Leveraging the EMR and SDOH Screening for Improved Outcomes in Childhood Asthma”—integrated clinical care, electronic health record tools, social determinants of health screening & community engagement; 2023 – 2025.
Program Highlights:
- Effective asthma control depends on caregiver education, early symptom recognition, and structured self-management. Central to this approach is the Asthma Action Plan, which uses a simple traffic-light “zone” system Framework: Green, Yellow & Red Zones
- This framework, combined with prevention strategies such as allergy control, vaccination, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, hydration, and hygiene, empowers families to reduce exacerbations and improve daily quality of life. Weekly asthma education was given.
- To address both clinical and social drivers of asthma outcomes, our team developed a comprehensive, community-integrated program focused on education, early identification, and linkage to care; home trigger assessments, by team; PCP/pulmonology follow-ups made.
On Community Outreach – We partnered with:
- Schools and school districts; CBOs; FBOs
- YMCAs; Boys & Girls Clubs
- Small Independent Practitioners / Providers
- Community-based organizations and their resources / social support
- Assembled and ran a Community Advisory Council
- Pharmacy and medication support & assistance programs
- Activities included tabling events, health fairs, intake screenings, and direct navigation to care & increased engagement.