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The Community Asthma Initiative (CAI) has helped to improve asthma care for over 600 children. The initiative serves families living in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Dorchester and other Boston neighborhoods. In addition to providing clinical care, CAI reaches patients directly—in their homes. Home visits allow nurse case managers and a community health worker to meet one-on-one with patients to identify potential environmental asthma triggers and improve communication between caregivers and patients. Massiel Ortiz, RN, asthma nurse case manager, works with patients like Marquis (pictured above) and other CAI families in their own environment to provide them with asthma education and instruction on proper medication usage. She also offers practical advice on how to avoid triggers at home such as using natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals.
Results are promising for the children enrolled in CAI. The program has been shown to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. See graph for further outcomes.
 Check out a slideshow about Children's Community Asthma Initiative
 Learn more about asthma causes and treatment
• One-on-one case management by nurses and a community health worker to educate families on proper medication usage and to connect them with community resources and specialty care.
• Home visits to identify and reduce home environmental triggers.
• Trainings and support for parents and providers of children with asthma including staff from schools, community-based organizations and health centers in collaboration with Boston Healthy Homes and Schools Collaborative, Boston Public Health Commission, ABCD Head Start and the Boston Home Visiting Collaborative.
• Advocacy efforts to help families access needed medical care, support services and education.
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