Fight Asthma Milwaukee (FAM) Allies Milwaukee, WI

We are Unique in AAA Only AAA coalition in the Midwest Only community-based asthma coalition in Wisconsin One of three coalitions led by a children’s health system Established in 1994

Mission Fight Asthma Milwaukee Allies works together with children and families, connecting them to caring people, reducing hospital stays, and supporting healthy lives.

Raising Awareness Increasing Impact Information Challenge: Proprietary information, HIPAA rules Challenge: Getting the word out Power of People Challenge: A unified, specific purpose is difficult to sustain with large numbers of activities and diverse backgrounds and interests of members Focus Challenge: Our families have significant related social, housing, educational, and economic needs

Information-Benefits of Coalition Example: Evaluation & Surveillance Activities Ability to efficiently exchange data and to share knowledge through data agreements, standardized formats, expedited approvals Trust and recognition Annual State of Asthma Report to both internal and external “customers”

Power of People-Benefits of Coalition Example: School Based Asthma Education Programs for Children and Families Partners in school administration Established historical ties Multi-disciplinary programs: –Teach Asthma Management –Asthma Basics for Schools –Exercise and Asthma –Awesome Asthma School Days –Open Airways –Community forums, Asthma Wellness Day –Asthma surveillance

Focus-Benefits of Coalition – Strong leadership – Shared vision –“Critical mass” of expertise – Multi-dimensional approach – Standardized tools to measure effectiveness of interventions

FAM Allies Eagle’s Circle Asthma Program at Children’s Health Education Center

Synergy COOPERATIVE interaction of separate agents so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects The Emergency Department Allies: Asthma Follow- Up Intervention and FAM Allies Collaboration for Care Coordination and Case Management

“The opportunity to the community for a joint effort from so many different agencies is remarkable!” - Milwaukee Health Department

Agencies Involved The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation –ED Allies –FAM Allies UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin/Managed Health Services/Wisconsin Medicaid Program Milwaukee Health Department Gentiva Health Services Medical College of Wisconsin 7 Regional Emergency Departments Children’s, Aurora and Covenant Health Delivery Systems Numerous Medical Homes

Working Together… To focus on 900 Milwaukee children with asthma randomly selected from Children’s Hospital Emergency Department To provide case management, home environmental assessment, asthma education, and advocacy to 300 children and their families To achieve: –  rates of follow-up with their medical home –  use of controller medications –  health related quality of life –  number of smoke-free homes –  ED visits for the 6 months following enrollment To forge the important and lasting bonds that will minimize the impact of asthma on all our children