Asthma Program

Contact Info

Asthma Program

health.asthma@state.mn.us

Asthma Home-Based Services (AHBS) Toolkit, Manual and Client Curriculum

Implementing an AHBS program at the local level

The following resources are for Minnesota local public health agencies (LPH) or other health-based organizations interested in developing a program to deliver asthma home-based services. The toolkit and companion AHBS manual are a starting point for your organization or agency to create a AHBS program that supports your agency capacity, community and individual needs.

Asthma Home Based Services Manual cover

How to use the AHBS manual

The Asthma Home-Based Services Manual (PDF) was created with the intent to provide structure and guidance to develop an asthma home-based program. The manual is an outline of operational considerations, step-by-step implementation and workflow guidance.

This resource is meant for local public health organizations, Indian health services, health and human service agencies or other health-care focused organizations that wish to provide a comprehensive asthma management solution for their defined population.

The manual provides practical steps to consider and implement when developing an AHBS program and is intended to be used in conjunction with support resources that include MDH Asthma Program implementation technical support, mentoring from local public health agencies seasoned in implementing and operating an AHBS program and toolkit resources that links and documents supporting AHBS programs.

Icons are used throughout the manual to correlate resources available on the Asthma Home-Based Services Toolkit, Manual and Client Education Curriculum webpage.

Key manual resources

Resources complementing the asthma home-based services manual are categorized to support the manual's implementation, operation and workflow content.

Companion resource links to support manual guidance

Data and demographic information

Asthma Data in Minnesota - Asthma data that includes Asthma in Minnesota Fact Sheet, data for asthma among middle and high school students, data briefs, and reports.
Dakota County Community Health Assessment - An example of a community health assessment. To learn more about health status of your county, search your county name and “community health assessment.
Minnesota Community Measurement (PDF) - Detailed Clinic Level Tables, annual Minnesota health care disparities by insurance type report.

State and national asthma organizations

Asthma in Minnesota: A Strategic Framework 2021 - 2030 (PDF) - MDH Asthma Program’s strategic framework is a comprehensive plan for addressing asthma in Minnesota.
Strategies for Addressing Asthma in Homes (PDF ) - CDC resource addressing core elements of a home visit.
CDC EXHALE Technical Package to Control Asthma (PDF) - CDC resource of strategies that inform decision-making in organizations, identifying strategies for addressing asthma with the greatest potential impact on asthma control.
Education on Asthma Self-Management (PDF) - Information for Public Health Professionals on CDC’s EXHALE package and asthma self-management skills.
Building Systems to Sustain Home-Based Asthma Services - Eleven eLearning modules intended to equip staff with information about how to build the systems, infrastructure and financing to put home-based services in place.

Department of Commerce Weatherization Assistance Program - A weatherization assistance program that can help with environmental remediation of a home that may result in the reduction of asthma triggers and complete structural changes to conserve energy costs.
HOME Line - free and low-cost legal advocacy and education services for tenants throughout Minnesota.

Minnesota Department of Health Grant Programs - MDH grant opportunities organized by category and anticipated to have an open opportunity within the next two years.
UCare Foundation - Foundation through U Care providing grants that address community health needs.
Medica Foundation - Foundation through Medica focused on providing systemic improvement in health outcomes.
Health Partners Foundation - Foundation through Health Partners that sponsors and supports organizations making a positive difference in neighborhoods where their members live.
Center for Disease Control Grants - CDC’s grants and cooperative agreements to state and local governments
Environmental Protection Agency Grants - EPA’s Office of Grant opportunities and application process

Registered Environmental Health Specialist - Minnesota Department of Health’s resource for applying for or renewing registration.
Public Health Nurse, Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C), Respiratory Therapist, Community Paramedic, and Community Pharmacists - Minnesota Department of Health’s resource describing the professionals able to provide asthma home-based services.

Asthma training resources

Clinical training resources

Asthma Basics Online Course - Free one-hour online learning module designed by American Lung Association (ALA) to help people learn more about asthma.
What is Asthma? - (EPA) Resource compilation including “Who is at Risk for Asthma?”, Asthma Triggers, Community-based Asthma Program Outreach and additional resources.
Asthma Educator Institute (ALA) - Professional education course for health professionals. A preparatory course for those eligible to sit for the national asthma certification exam, but also a resource for health professionals seeking greater clinical expertise in asthma.
Asthma Education for the Community Health Worker (PDF) - Entry-level community health worker training to provide basic asthma management education.
Asthma Educator Certification - The National Board for Respiratory Care administers the certification exam to become an Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C).
Motivational Interviewing: Asthma - Online, self-paced course to expand knowledge of the four components of asthma motivational interviewing, including building rapport, questioning the patient, educating the patient and closing the interview.
Planning and implementing sexual orientation and gender identity data collection in electronic health records, Journal of the American Informatics Association article.
Health Literacy Toolkit - Information from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on how health literacy can impact the understanding of health concepts.
Cultural Competence - (MDH) Resource page providing multiple resources to address cultural competence.
Guide to Improving Patient Safety in Primary Settings by Engaging Patients and Families - Information and resources to assist in the use of the teach-back method from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Teach Back (PDF ) - (MDH) Guidance and tips to teach back effectively.
Asthma Self-Management Skills: Why Do I Need to Learn Them? - (ALA).
Get the most from your inhaler? - Short demo videos and simple tools provided by Fairview Physician Associates Network.
How to Use Asthma Inhalers and Medication Devices - (ALA).
Iggy and The Inhalers: Asthma Education for Kids! - Educational asthma videos for children.
Asthma Medications: Tools and Resources for Health Care Providers - Asthma medication tools and resources from MDH for health care providers.

Asthma environmental training

Reducing Environmental Triggers of Asthma in the Home - Free 40-minute online training module for health care providers to learn about environmental triggers of asthma found in the home.
Home Characteristics and Asthma Triggers Checklist and Training for Home Visitors: Making Homes Healthier | AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org - Training to learn about common asthma triggers in homes and trigger mitigation.
EPA's Introduction to Integrated Pest Management - Overview of the principles and benefits of integrated pest management.
Asthma - Public Health Professionals | CDC – Information on addressing asthma in homes, schools, and communities from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control.

Allergy & Asthma Network: Information for Healthcare Professionals - General information on asthma pathophysiology, management, triggers and additional resources.
American Lung Association - General information on asthma pathophysiology, management, triggers and additional resources.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - General information on asthma pathophysiology, management, triggers and additional resources.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - General information on asthma pathophysiology, asthma programs and resources and training opportunities.
National Environmental Education Foundation - General information on the intersection of asthma and the environment, pediatric environmental assessment forms on asthma and resource and training opportunities.

Dakota County documentation and procedures

General data privacy forms (documentation)

Release of Information Form (PDF) - Minnesota Standard Consent Form to Release Health Information. Available in English and Spanish.
Notice of Access to Health Records (PDF) - Minnesota notice explaining rights of access to health record. Available in English, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF) - Minnesota notice explaining a patient’s rights related to privacy.

Written Asthma Action Plans - Sample asthma action plans for children and adults in English and Spanish.
Pediatric Asthma Control Test (Ages 4 to 11 years) (PDF) - Pediatric asthma control test for children ages 4 to 11. Asthma Control Test (Ages 12 Years and Older) (PDF) - Asthma control test for children 12 and over.
Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK) (PDF) - Asthma Control Test for children ages 0-5.
Asthma Triggers (PDFs) - Lists asthma triggers with action items to reduce triggers in the home from MDH.
- English (PDF)
- Spanish (PDF)
Hey Norm.org - Minnesota first and only teen-focused vape-talk service.
Asthma Center Content List - Children's Minnesota. Includes information and videos on numerous asthma topics available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
About Asthma | CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Asthma Information available in other languages.
Help Your Child Gain Control Over Asthma (EPA) - Booklet offers tips on how to manage asthma and simple steps to minimize exposure to asthma triggers found indoors and out.
- English version
- Spanish version
Dusty the Asthma Goldfish and His Asthma Triggers Funbook (EPA) - Printable educational activity book to help children learn about asthma triggers.
Getting Ready For Your Next Office Visit - (ALA) - Fillable form to assist in preparing for medical appointments related to asthma.
Know the Difference Between Your Asthma Medications (PDF) - Patient handout that describes the difference between the different types of asthma medications.
My Asthma Action Plan for Home and School - (ALA) - Fillable form.
- Plan de accion conta el asma para el hogar y la escuela - (ALA) - Fillable form.
The Pathway to Managing your Asthma - (ALA) Fillable form.

Asthma Home Environment Checklist (PDF) – Developed by EPA, CDC, and HUD. The resource guides home visitors in identifying environmental asthma triggers most found in homes.
EPA Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home (PDF) - EPA guide to portable air cleaners and furnace or HVAC filters in the home.
Air Cleaner Information for Consumers - California Air Resource Board provides information on how to select a safe and effective air cleaner.
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers - Air Filtration - AHAM’s guidance on selecting and using an air cleaner.
Mix Your Own Cleaning Solutions - American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology resource for safe cleaning practices and solutions for those with asthma. Wash your hands often with soap and water – for at least 20 seconds. Exercised-induced asthma is a narrowing of the airways in the lungs triggered by exercise that raises your heart rate and makes you breathe harder and faster. It can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and other symptoms during or after exercise or intense workout.
Hiring a pest control professional - Information on pest control professionals licensed by the Department of Agriculture.
Mold and Moisture - (MDH) Information on mold and moisture in the home.
Volatile Organic Compounds' (VOC's) Impact on Indoor Air Quality (EPA) Information on sources of VOC's, health effects and reduction efforts of VOC's.
Residential Gas Stoves: Gas Emissions and Protecting Health (PDF) - Health information around cooking with gas.
Sources of Indoor Air Particulate Matter (PM) - (EPA) Information on particulate matter indoors.
AirNow - Resource to get daily air quality data for your area.
Minnesota Outdoor Air Quality Guidance for Schools and Child Care - (MDH) Recommendations to help schools and child care staff determine when and how to adjust outdoor activity when air quality starts to reach unhealthy levels.
Asthma Triggers: Gain Control (EPA) Information on common asthma triggers and actions that can be taken to reduce exposure.

Asthma-related legislation updates

Enhanced Asthma Services Law for Children on Medical Assistance (MA) or Minnesota Care (MN Care)

Refers to a benefit for children who have received emergency care services or been hospitalized for treatment of asthma within the past year. The law allows for these children to receive an in-home assessment for asthma, an environmental home assessment, and provision of asthma trigger-reducing products. Currently, the details of how to utilize this benefit are still being worked out.

The bill can be found at: Minnesota Statutes 256B.0625,subdivision 67: Enhanced asthma care services
The Department of Human Services has created a Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Asthma home evaluations and Allergen-reducing products for children FAQs (PDF) with more information about eligibility and what is covered under the law.

Minnesota Department of Health data reporting

MDH requests that AHBS programs provide an annual data report. MDH initiates the request to your program and will discuss your individual reporting capabilities to determine your program’s reporting for the data pull. Data requests will be issued by the MDH Asthma Program annually in the month of August.

Technical assistance and MDH consultation

The MDH Asthma Program offers technical assistant to support the exploration of implementing an AHBS program, coordination of meetings to develop and implement a program and on-going technical assistance to build out programming and support for ongoing operations.

The MDH Asthma Program also offers mentoring consultation through partnership with a seasoned local public health program. The local public health mentor is available to consult with your organization to provide real time support and guidance on program implementation and ongoing operations.

For further information, please contact health.asthma@state.mn.us.

Asthma

Resources

Related Sites