Early Learning Practitioners

Breathe Pennsylvania’s School Asthma Initiative (SAI) provides early learning practitioners—including Head Start programs— with training, education, materials and resources to learn about childhood asthma. Training includes how to provide support to families of children with asthma; the basics of asthma and how to respond to an asthma attack; and a demonstration of how to use and care for a spacer and a nebulizer.

Jeannie Simms, Senior Director of Asthma Education and Programs, and Jessica Schuman, RN, BSN, Director of Asthma Education and Programs, are certified Special Discipline Instructors through Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS), working with PA Keys (Southwest and Northwest Regional Keys).

In addition to this training, Breathe Pennsylvania can provide early learning practitioners with:

• Asthma in the Classroom – An informational sheet that provides an overview of what to look for and how to proceed if a child is having an asthma attack.
• Student Asthma Kit for Families of Children with Asthma – The kit includes an Asthma Action Profile, a peak flow meter (for ages 5 and older), and a spacer. It is provided to children who complete the “Education for Students with Asthma” program.
• Educational videos are available via our YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact:

Jeannie Simms, BA, AE-C®
Senior Director of Asthma Education and Programs
jsimms@breathepa.org                                                                      
724-772-1750 (office) or 412-855-4594 (cell)
Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Greene, Indiana,
and Westmoreland.

Jessica Schuman, RN, BSN, AE-C®
Director of Asthma Education and Programs
jschuman@breathepa.org
724-900-1115 (cell)
Counties: Beaver, Butler, Lawrence,
and Washington.

Or visit our Contact page