Our Mission
Controlling Asthma Through Awareness and Education
Our Vision
The Merced/Mariposa County Asthma Coalition's vision is to fight asthma through education, medical and environmental techniques. In the spirit of a true partnership, the Coalition will strive to improve the quality of life of people who have asthma. This diverse, broad and collaborative partnership will affect initiatives through the sharing of information, the commitment of time, and the voice of advocacy.
Our Goals
- Controlling Asthma Through Awareness and Education.
- Promote professional education in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Practical Guidlines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma.
- Promote Culturally sensitive asthma education for individuals and their caregivers.
- Raise public awareness of asthma.
Our Programs
Air Quality Flag Program
Air Quality Flag/Active Indoor Recess Policy
Merced Couty General Plan Update
Legislative/Advocacy
- SB 719 (Machado) - was signed by the Governor in November 2007. The bill gave more Valley communities a voice on the District Board as well as two voices for Health
- SB 1548 (Florez) - Creates a process by which the city seats on the Air Board will be selected.
- Diesel Truck Rule - was passed by the The California Air Resources Board (CARB) in December 12th.
- SB 375 (Steinberg) - passed with the Governor's signature last November focused on reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled. The Attorney General, Jerry Brown, is using AB32 and SB 375 in reviewing County General Plan Updates.
Community - The MMCAC staff and members are increasing the number of advisory boards they sit on. Including:
- San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District's - Citizen's Advisory Committee - Serves as an advisory board to the Air District representing vatious community perspectives.
- San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District's - Environmental Justice Advisory Group - Serves as an advisory board to the Air District representing various Environmental Justice community perspectives.
- Merced County Association of Governments - Community Advisory Committee - Serves as an advisory board to the MCAG (MCAG is an association of city and county governments, with members who meet to solve regional problems such as transportation, solid waste, and air quality.)
- City of Merced Bicycles Advisory Commission - Serves as an advisory body to the City Council on matters having to do with bicycle transportation within the City of Merced (and possibly the connectio between the cities throughout the country).
- Central Valley Air Quality (CVAQ) Coalition - Advocacy group working toward building awareness, acting as a watchdog, advocating for policy, and mobilizing communities to create clean air in the San Joaquin Valley.
- California Asthma Partners (CAP) - CAP is a statewide network of governmental and non-governmental organizations, agencies, institutions, and collaboratives working together to implement the Strategic Plan for Asthma in California (download a copy from the link to the right!).
Smoking Cessation Classes - To train American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking Master Trainers. Classes are offered in English and Spanish. MMCAC is the "clearinghouse" for all those who call in. Although the funding has ended, the classes will continue.
Healthy South Merced Project – In partnership with Golden Valley Health Centers, the MMCAC is working to promote the health and well-being of the greater South Merced Community outside of the clinic walls. Activities such as facilitating monthly South Merced community meetings on issues pertinent to local residents help steer the overall work of the project. Priorities identified by community members have ranged from the improvement of the S. Hwy 59 & Childs Ave. intersection, to nutrition and asthma, to gangs and grafitti. These meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7:00pm in the classroom at Golden Valley Health Centers. Other parts of the program include a weekly South Merced walking group that meets every Saturday morning, a community garden, and GIS health data mapping. The Merced County Department of Public Health, the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Project, and the UC Cooperative Extension are also contributors to the overall project. |
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