Mission / Vision

Working Together to Control Asthma!

The most vital commitment of individual/organizational members, is the contribution of time and talents to committees or to other special projects that meet the mission and goals of the coalition. 

We can all make a difference in the lives of children!

About the Regional Community Asthma Network of the Finger Lakes (RCAN)      

RCAN is a non-profit coalition of Asthma stakeholders that serves a 9 county region of the Finger Lakes.  (Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates). All are welcome to attend and participate in the coalition. Whether you work for a managed care organization, hospital, or you are a parent of a child with asthma, please join us to make a difference!

Our Mission is to promote partnerships that improve the quality of life of those affected by asthma in the Finger Lakes Region. 

Our Vision is to reduce the burden of asthma and improve the quality of life through supporting children affected by asthma to achieve optimal ASTHMA MANAGEMENT and CONTROL.

Funding for the coalition is provided by private and governmental grants. Currently, new funding opportunities are being investigated and pursued, assistance in this process is greatly appreciated!

The American Lung Association in New York, Inc. is the 501C3 fiscal and lead organization for the coalition.

RCAN’s Overall Goals:

• To Decrease school Absenteeism for children with asthma and reduce emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
• To provide a forum for communication and collaboration for stakeholders in the asthma community to share and disseminate information.
• To Promote professional and general public awareness and educational programs
• To develop a surveillance and data collection plan for an accurate assessment of asthma and its related morbidities
• To act as a catalyst for change to facilitate improvement in asthma care and management
  

2007-2010  Strategic goals

1. Implement state of the art asthma education and self-mangement skills to the community and individual

2. Promote clinical asthma management care that is consistent with the NAEPP guidelines

3. Expand collaborative partnerships for asthma environmental health and mitigation issues

4. Increase surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of data to facilitate evidence-based efficient and effective care of asthmatics

5. Achieve Sustainablity for the coalition

How “WE” Help the Community

1. Support special projects for asthma “systems change” to improve the care of children and adults with asthma
2. Sponsor educational programs for children and families (example: The Open Airways for Schools Program )
3. Conduct professional education opportunities for schools and health care providers.
4. Serve as a resource for information and educational materials
5. Support special projects for asthma research, data collection and case management.