What is the Missouri School Asthma Manual?

The Missouri School Asthma Manual is a collection of resources designed to assist school nurses and others who seek to improve school asthma services. Materials were selected and organized in the original print edition and this accompanying website to make it easier for school nurses to locate forms and resources they need for day-to-day support of students with asthma.  This website features only content in the 234-page print edition Missouri School Asthma Manual (2011 edition), which was developed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Asthma Prevention and Control Program and the University of Missouri Asthma Ready Communities. Refer to the print edition for references and sources.   
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​- Peggy Gaddy, MBA, RRT
Missouri Asthma Prevention and Control Program 
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​- Deb Cook, RN
Kennett Public Schools​

Forms and Resources 

The website version of the Missouri School Asthma Manual organizes forms and resources in nine units. Each unit addresses common questions and concerns of school nurses as they support students with asthma. Refer to the print edition for references and sources.
  • Who has asthma?
  • How well is the school community prepared to support the student with asthma?
  • What is the care management plan? Is it working?
  • Is the student ready and able to self administer? 
  • Does the student have persistent asthma?
  • Does the child need special accommodations or a 504 plan? ​
  • Is the asthma under control? 
  • Does the student have asthma?
  • How are symptoms changing over time?  
  • What does high-quality and effective asthma care look like? 
  • What are the best ways to manage an asthma episode?
  • Which self-management behaviors should be encouraged?
  • What asthma care management procedures/tasks do health staff need to know well?
  • What are the highlights of national guidelines? 
  • How is inhalation technique taught?
  • Which inhaled corticosteroid is part of the student's personalized treatment plan? 
  • Is the student receiving appropriate care per the national guidelines? 
  • What do teachers and staff need to know about asthma?
  • What are the early signs of an asthma attack? Or uncontrolled asthma?
  • What is an asthma-friendly environment?
  • How can the environment be modified to improve respiratory health?

We have been supporting school nurses since 2001.

Established in 2001 with a planning grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri Asthma Prevention and Control Program (MAPCP) is a public health service provided by the State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.  Since its founding, MAPCP has recognized and supported the leadership of school nurses to improve the lives of children with asthma.  Today, MAPCP organizes its work around goals and objectives described in Aligned for Impact: The Missouri Plan for Asthma Care Management (2020-2024).  This statewide plan aims to equip schools with the necessary tools to provide self-management support and coordinate care with health plans and primary care providers.
Missouri Healthy Schools provides students with lifelong advantages built upon early, positive health behaviors that improve conditions for academic achievement. MHS hosts a training and resources website to support for School Health Services, including asthma Care.  Missouri Healthy Schools is a joint venture of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which is funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Asthma Ready Communities provide standardized, evidence-based education for children with asthma, families and health professionals.  Training and clinical programs, including Project ECHO telehealth, enhance the readiness of health care professionals and facilities to provide cost-efficient care that is compliant with the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma: Expert Panel Report (EPR) 3 and EPR 4 Updates.  Asthma Ready Communities is managed by the University of Missouri in collaboration with many state and national partners including the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Do you have questions or comments?

Tammy Rood
DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CPN, AE-C
Asthma Ready Communities
Consultant, Missouri Asthma Prevention and Control Program
Assistant Teaching Professor, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Area Coordinator
[email protected]
Peggy Gaddy
MBA, RRT
Manager, Missouri Asthma Prevention and Control Program
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
[email protected]

Funding Support Acknowledgment

  • Funding for the 2011 edition of the Missouri School Asthma Manual was provided by Cooperative Agreement #U59EH00510-01 from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Funding for this web-based adaptation was provided in 2023 by the Missouri Healthy Schools (Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) under Cooperative Agreement #U58DP006434 by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
​The Missouri School Asthma Manual is a collection of resources designed to assist school nurses and others who seek to improve school asthma services. Materials were selected and organized in the original print edition and this accompanying website to make it easier for school nurses to locate forms and resources they need for day-to-day support of students with asthma.  This website features only content in the 234-page print edition Missouri School Asthma Manual (2011 edition), which was developed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Asthma Prevention and Control Program and the University of Missouri Asthma Ready Communities.  Refer to the print edition for references and sources.   
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