Asthma is the most common reason for preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits for children in Wisconsin, with children under age five experiencing the highest rates. In addition, nearly half of all Wisconsin children with asthma reported missing one or more school days due to asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2019 report, Milwaukee ranks as the 10th most challenging metropolitan city to live in for people with asthma.
Children’s Community Health Asthma Management Program (CHAMP) was established more than five years ago serving families in Milwaukee County with an emphasis on reaching people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and those burdened by health disparities, including people of color. 
Through CHAMP, a trained asthma educator meets with parents/caregivers and children to talk about skills for asthma self-management, sharing the signs and symptoms of an attach, ways to eliminate common household triggers, proper medication management and use of asthma action plans. The educator also conducts a home walkthrough to identify environmental triggers, such as dust mites, pet dander, household pests and droppings, and smoke and chemicals that may contribute to or induce an asthma attack. The goal is to increase awareness about the impact of environmental triggers on health and support families in implementing interventions to remediate or minimize the identified triggers.
By working as a coordinated, expanded care team on a child’s behalf, CHAMP is able to build trust, increase access to care, establish new care connections and provide coordinated and holistic care that ensures equitable outcomes.