SAN ANTONIO — As the transition from summer to fall triggers asthma symptoms, San Antonio Metro Health is offering a free program to assist families in managing the condition. The initiative, known as “SA Kids BREATHE,” sends community health workers to homes to help manage a child’s asthma. The program includes identifying triggers, providing cleaning and sleeping guides, and offering respiratory therapy to explain the use of asthma devices.
To qualify, children must be between the ages of 3 and 17, have an asthma diagnosis, and documented struggles over the past year. For more information, families can call 311 or contact Metro Health directly at 210-207-7282.
The SA Kids BREATHE program, developed in partnership with the South Texas Asthma Coalition, aims to reduce high hospitalization rates among children with asthma. Its primary goal is to improve the quality of life for children with asthma by teaching them and their families best practices for asthma control.
The program helps keep children out of the hospital and in school, allows parents to remain at work, and saves money for families and healthcare systems. The community-driven initiative is supported by an advisory council of nearly a dozen community advisors from various fields.
Families receive education and support through home visits or virtual meetings to improve asthma control. The program includes three to four home visits over a four-month period, consultations with healthcare providers, and school or daycare visits. Support is provided over a 12-month period as needed.
Services are delivered by community health workers, guided by a certified asthma educator and registered respiratory therapist, with translation services available. Eligibility criteria include living within Bexar County and meeting specific asthma-related conditions, such as hospitalization or frequent emergency visits due to asthma in the past year. Referrals can come from caregivers, school nurses with parental consent, healthcare providers, hospital or clinic systems, and managed care organizations.