Department of Environmental Health - Asthma awareness Education program

» Click Here For Indoor Air Quality - IAQ

jjjjj Diane Rhodes
Director of Environmental Health
Phone 657-8623
DRHODE@NEISD.NET

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Kathy Hardin
Administrative Assistant
Phone 657-8623
KHARDI1@NEISD.NET

Larry Fowler
Environmental Health Coordinator
Phone 657-8623
LFOWLE@NEISD.NET

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Nick Kellar
Environmental Health Technician
Phone 657-8623
NKELLA@NEISD.NET

Department Overview

Department of Environmental Health was established in 2007. Our mission is to provide children and staff with a safe and healthy environment. We will manage the facility safety and building science issues that occur at schools and buildings throughout the District.

Department responsibilities include:

Establish a Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) team on each campus in order to bring awareness and proactive environmental strageties throughout the District
Implement an Asthma Education Awarenss Program that works in conjunction with the IAQ Program to improve the health outcomes for people with Asthma
Improve data collection and reports of absenteeism due to allergy, asthma or poor IAQ

The Department of Environmental Health would like the document Tips for a Healthier Classroom available to all campuses to serve as a guideline to help improve the Indoor Air Quality of our schools. The items listed are from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department, National Asthma/Allergy Guidelines, and Department of Environmental Health. The Department of Environmental Health appreciates your help and cooperation in removing these items to improve the environment of the district classrooms.

Asthma and Indoor Air Quality

The Department of Environmental Health has implemented an Asthma Education Awareness Program in conjunction with an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program for NEISD. This program is designed to improve the health outcomes for children with Asthma. Its primary goal is to increase staff, student and parent awareness and action in order to reduce asthma attacks, decrease school or work days missed and to potentially lead individuals with Asthma to live fuller lives. Because IAQ issues impact these individuals the most, this program will be an integral part of the IAQ team. The Asthma Education Awareness Program has the following responsibilities:

Educate the staff on asthma symptoms, triggers, and management
Educate the parents and students with asthma to understand their symptoms, triggers, and medication management
Prevent episodes of asthma in the school setting by addressing and monitoring progress of control triggers
Prevent effects on respiratory sensitive individuals by addressing and monitoring progress and/or correction of any IAQ issues
Minimize emergency department visits and hospitalizations of students or staff by assisting individuals with Asthma Management
Inspecting campuses and promoting trigger control/awareness in these areas

Classrooms including Fine Arts/Athletic spaces
Offices
Closets
Nurse's clinic
Custodial closets
Work areas
Cafeteria
Common areas
Administering training to staff/administration in the following areas: Incidence and understand Asthma

      NEISD Asthma Education Awareness Goals
      Potential Asthma triggers
      Common Asthma symptoms
      Basic Asthma medications
      How to handle an Asthma episode