Asthma Friendly Schools Program

An Asthma Friendly School (AFS) adopts the AFS program strategies to support the whole school community in understanding and managing asthma. To be recognised as an Asthma Friendly School, each school must address and satisfy a set of criteria that establishes an asthma friendly environment.

What are the benefits of being an Asthma Friendly School?

• Improves asthma awareness and management in the school and its community.
• Encourages an Asthma Friendly School environment.
• Improves health and learning outcomes for students with asthma.
• Complements a school’s responsibility for health and safety of students and staff.
• Provides parents of children with asthma with a peace of mind.
• Gives school staff more confidence in managing asthma.

How to be an Asthma Friendly School

1. The first step is to contact the Asthma Foundation of Victoria and REQUEST a Principal Pack of information and resources to be sent to your school to guide the achievement of the essential criteria required to become an Asthma Friendly School.
2. Achieve RECOGNITION as an Asthma Friendly School by meeting the essential criteria.
3. Undertake RENEWAL of RECOGNITION every three years to maintain Recognition as an Asthma Friendly School.

Schools will receive an Asthma Friendly Recognition certificate and window sticker to promote their Asthma Friendly status.

Asthma Friendly Schools - the Essential Criteria

1. The school adopts the School Policy and Advisory Guide (DEECD, State Government of Victoria)
2. Asthma First Aid training is provided to all school staff
3. A minimum of two Asthma Emergency Kits are available for emergency use
4. Asthma Action Plans (PDF, 186kb) for each student with asthma are actively encouraged and kept in a central location and Asthma First Aid incidents are recorded, reviewed and reported to the child's parents/carers. School Camp Asthma Action Plan Form 1 (PDF, 157kb) and 2 (PDF, 26kb) are also available.
5. Asthma information is displayed in suitable locations around the school, included in the school curriculum and made available for parents/carers

Recommended Criteria

1. There is communication with parents/carers when a student experiences asthma symptoms, uses their asthma medication at school or if the student has an asthma incident at school.
2. Students with asthma are encouraged to carry or have prompt access to their asthma medication in order to self manage asthma symptoms at school and on excursions.
3. Safe medication practices are in place including access to and storage of medication.
4. Measures to minimise the impact of known and potential asthma triggers have been taken.

Optional Criteria

School Membership

The Asthma Foundation of Victoria has an exclusive School Membership package to offer schools for an annual fee of $55.00.

Membership benefits:

• A Free Asthma Emergency Kit containing: bumbag, spacer, alcohol swabs and asthma first aid card (Reliever medication must be purchased from a pharmacy)
• Quarterly newsletters from The Asthma Foundation of Victoria
• Two Asthma Update magazines per year (national magazine)
• 10% discount on purchase of selected asthma products and resources from The Asthma Foundation of Victoria.

To apply for a School Membership fill out the School Membership Form (PDF, 146kb) and return with payment to the Asthma Foundation of Victoria.

Once the essential Asthma First Aid training has been undertaken and the school’s Principal is confident that the essential criteria listed above have been met, please download a copy of the Recognition Checklist (PDF, 568kb) and return the form to the Asthma Foundation of Victoria.

For Further Information

If you would like further information about the Asthma Friendly Schools Program, please contact the Asthma Foundation of Victoria on the numbers below or use our online contact form:

Ph: (03) 9326 7088
Toll Free: 1800 645 130

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