Coalition History

National Capital Asthma Coalition Update

The National Capital Asthma Coalition (NCAC), a former grantee of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Pediatric Asthma Initiative and its Allies Against Asthma program, ended its non-profit corporation status on December 31, 2007 (see history), but its collaborative work continues through the DC Asthma Partnership, DC Department of Health's DC Control Asthma Now Program, and an extraordinary network of more than 300 professionals and volunteers dedicated to NCAC's mission of improving the system of care and outcomes for children and adults with asthma. Thanks to our partners, the collaborative initiatives NCAC launched in homes, schools, and healthcare institutions continues to expand. Please make use of the resources available on this Web site. For more information, please contact Lisa A. Gilmore (former Executive Director), (202) 415-1962.

Resources and Recent Accomplishments:

NCAC completed 2007 with an outstanding record of accomplishment and resources for consumers and professionals:

	Created a new standard DC Asthma Action Plan form endorsed by the DC Department of Health and available for download in English and Spanish. The form may be filled out by hand or on a computer then printed and saved.
	Published Managing Asthma and Allergies in DC Schools: A Comprehensive Resource and Education Guide online and in hardcopy and conducted trainings for 182 principals and staff from DC schools and youth-serving agencies.
	Coordinated development of policy enacted as the Student Access to Treatment Act of 2007 (PDF: 42 KB/6 pages), a DC law that permits public, charter, private, a parochial school students with a valid medication action plan to possess and self-administer lifesaving asthma or anaphylaxis medications at school, among other key provisions.
	Trained 255 physicians, nurses, and other practitioners to date in NCAC's accredited Physician Asthma Care Education Seminar.
	Established asthma home visiting program with University of the District of Columbia that provides in-home education, environmental assessments, tools, and other resources and has now partnered with The George Washington University's Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health and the Environment.

About NCAC:

Launched in 1999 as a campaign, NCAC evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit alliance of public and private member organizations that functioned as a major resource for asthma education and institutional collaboration. NCAC's organizational structure included five committees (Policy, Education, Health Services, Environment, and Data) that planned and implemented initiatives and special events in coordination with NCAC’s staff. NCAC's monthly e-newsletter provided ongoing updates to members and other interested parties.