Walkthrough Programs

Uncover the Asthma Triggers around You

All children deserve to live and play in a healthy environment. Asthma comes along every day interrupting their lives and learning, but it doesn’t have to. Our school and child care virtual and on-site walkthrough programs offer several ways to help you reduce the exposure to asthma triggers in school. Let’s get together to make your building healthier for everyone.

The walkthrough evaluation is a free service that can be completed virtually or live on-site. We look at classroom environments, identify asthma triggers and provide low or no-cost solutions to eliminate those triggers.

How to Create an Asthma Friendly Environment

Asthma is one of the most common causes of school absenteeism, but we can work together to change that. Let’s do what we can to ensure children with asthma are able to learn. Our resources can help reduce asthma triggers and create healthy school and child care environments.

Environmental Walkthrough Brochure

School Walkthrough Guidebook

Child Care Walkthrough Guidebook

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create an asthma-friendly classroom environment?

Schools and child care centers should contact Carissa Hoium with the Wisconsin Asthma Coalition at 414-337-4569 or choium@childrenswi.org to schedule a no-cost virtual or on-location walkthrough, where we’ll identify possible asthma triggers.

How long does an environmental walkthrough last?

First, we’ll review some educational materials with interested staff and then spend up to 1 hour walking around your facility to find possible asthma triggers. As a follow up step, we’ll provide a report of findings with simple ideas you can use to reduce or eliminate asthma triggers.

Why should I schedule a virtual or on-site walkthrough?

Our walkthroughs reduce exposure to environmental asthma triggers in your facility and is a helpful way to decrease asthma symptoms in children. Plus, having an asthma-friendly school can reduce absenteeism and keep attendance numbers where you want them to be for funding purposes.

How do I book a virtual or on-site walkthrough?

Fill out our online form or contact Carissa Hoium at 414-337-4569 or choium@childrenswi.org for more information.

What does a virtual walkthrough entail?

Sending us pictures of the rooms that need evaluation (we’ll provide a suggested list) and your time on a call to review the final report. More specifically:

You are provided with step-by-step instructions on how to take photos of pre-determined rooms, which take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete.
Submit the photos and walkthrough staff will evaluate them to identify potential triggers and what your facility is already doing well to minimize triggers.
You will receive education/feedback in a report and a follow-up virtual meeting with walkthrough staff to discuss the findings and answer questions.

What are common asthma triggers in schools and child care centers?

A trigger is something that causes asthma symptoms to start or worsen. Common asthma triggers in schools and child care centers include dust, pet dander from warm-blooded classroom pets, mold, pollen, pests, certain odors, aerosol sprays, carpet cleaner, furniture polish or air fresheners.

Schedule a School or Child Care Center Walkthrough

Walkthroughs prevent asthma flare-ups, increase ability to learn and support academic success. Schedule a free virtual or on-site walkthrough of your school or child care center now and get ready to make your facility better for students with asthma.

An Alliance staff member will visit your facility to identify potential asthma triggers and discuss low- and no-cost remediation options. Child care staff can receive two continuing education hours for participating in this program. Contact Carissa Hoium at (414) 337-4569 or choium@childrenswi.org for more information.

Schedule a Walkthrough

Asthma Resources for Child Care Centers

Children younger than age 5 are disproportionately affected by asthma. Ensure your facility is safe for kids with asthma.

Asthma in Infants and Young Children
Infants and toddlers have much smaller airways than older children and adults. Learn about asthma in young children.

Child Care Walkthrough Checklist
Use this guide to identify asthma triggers in classrooms. This checklist can be used by anyone who wants to create a healthier child care environment.

Parent Letter Template
Use this template to send to parents, guardians, and/or caregivers, after completing a walkthrough.

Child Care Walkthrough Videos

Part 1: Asthma and the Child Care Environment

Part 2: Child Care and the Virtual Walkthrough Process

Asthma Resources for Home

Healthy homes can prevent disease and illness. Utilize these resources for asthma-friendly homes.

Controlling Asthma at Home: Guide for Landlords and Tenants
Learn how to control asthma triggers within the home. This brochure is also available in Spanish and Hmong.

Home Walkthrough Checklist
Use this checklist to examine your home for common asthma triggers.

Asthma Resources for Schools

Creating a healthy environment can help increase school attendance for students and staff with asthma.

Asthma Action Plans for Home and School
Asthma action plans are key to successful self-management. Find a template that’s right for your child.

Asthma Inhaler Law Expansion
Learn about Wisconsin Act 398, which allows students in private and charter schools to carry and utilize an inhaler to alleviate asthma symptoms.

Integrated Pest Management in Schools
Reduce pest problems and pesticide exposure and identify financial resources to meet these objectives.

School Walkthrough Press Release Template
This sample press release can be tailored to alert the community and media that your school prioritizes creating an asthma-friendly environment.

School Walkthrough Checklist
The school walkthrough checklist is a guide for identifying asthma triggers in classrooms. The five most common trigger are: classroom pets, dust and dust mites, mold/moisture/mildew, odors, and pests and vermin.

School Walkthrough Videos

Part 1: Asthma and the School Environment

Part 2: The Virtual Walkthrough Process

Contact Our Staff

Carissa Hoium, MPH
Program Leader
Environmental Health
(414) 337-4569
choium@childrenswi.org

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The Wisconsin asthma initiative is funded in part by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, through a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement.