School Based Project

HERC'S School Based Project targets children who have been diagnosed with asthma (or who have asthma-like symptoms) and are eligible to participate in a four to six week asthma management curriculum.

Most of HERC's asthma classes are offered to schoolchildren in grades K-5 . Once we identify students who are asthmatic and inform their families about the program, HERC arranges temporary classroom pull-outs and teaches asthma coping techniques to groups of 4-6 children.

We keep families updated and send home worksheets for the adults and children to complete together. At the conclusion of the course, students receive a graduation certificate and a small treat to celebrate their achievement.

HERC also offers asthma-related classroom presentations to middle and high school students.

We currently work with eight elementary and middle schools and two high schools in the 94124 and 94134 zip codes.

Asthma and School-Age Children

While children can take an active role in managing their asthma symptoms, it is a complex disease that affects much more than just their breathing:

Children with asthma often stop participating in activities they normally enjoy, for fear of having an asthma episode

Loss of sleep from nighttime asthma episodes can cause a decrease in their attention span, causing them to perform poorly in school

Asthma may also result in high rates of absenteeism

Children with asthma may feel different from their peers and, as a result, have trouble relating to others

Check to see if your child's school offers an asthma management program. It can provide the following benefits to you and your children:

Ability to better understand asthma
Ability to detect asthma triggers
Ability to determine when you may be approaching an asthma episode
Ability to know your physical limitations
Ability to know when to seek emergency assistance
Knowledge of how to effectively self-administer asthma medication
Ability to communicate competently and confidently with your health care provider

Asthma Day Camps

Asthma Camp - HERC offers free day camps for children 6-14 who are diagnosed with asthma and who have a desire to learn more about management of their condition and would like to enjoy regular childhood experiences.

The camp is designed to assist with educating children about how to improve their asthma management techniques. HERC provides day services for approximately 10 children.

A licensed professional teaches the children asthma management techniques and how to recognize triggers and symptoms.

Other courses are literacy, exercise, nutrition and building self-esteem.

Apply for Asthma Camp or call the Asthma Department at 401-6810

School Tours

Tours of the Asthma Resource Center are available on advance notice. The children will receive information and education on asthma management. The resource center is stocked with literature, books, equipment and Internet access for individuals interested in broadening their knowledge on asthma.

Schools: contact HERC's Asthma Dept. @ 401-6810 to arrange a tour of the Resource Center.

The Resource Center is open
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday

2008 © Health & Environmental Resource Center (415) 401-6810
funded by San Francisco Department of Public Health & the Mayor's Office