Tulare County Asthma Coalition’s (TCAC) Report to the Community on Asthma

World Asthma Day 2008 kicked off on May 6th with the widespread distribution of our county’s Report to the Community on Asthma. The publication contains important information about asthma specific to Tulare County and focuses on schools and the projects we developed, implemented and support. Projects include outdoor air quality flags, low-allergy or asthma friendly landscaping, and indoor air quality maintenance and prevention via “Tools for Schools”. The report highlights our policy work locally, statewide and nationally and presents statistics at the local, regional, state and national levels. To receive a copy of the report call 559-685-3494.

Approximately 22,000 reports were distributed as inserts in the Valley Voice Newspaper, with an article that went into the paper one week before its distribution, preparing readers to look for it in the next issue of the Valley Voice. An additional 21,000 reports were distributed in the Foothills Sun-Gazette. K-JUG Radio aired commercial’s explaining the purpose and importance of the report. For the entire month of May K-JUG radio placed our TCAC logo on their website which provided a direct link to the document. Dave Daniel’s, K-JUG’s morning Radio personality has also decided to announce on the radio, the Air Quality Index reports daily during the morning rush of traffic time. Coalition members are encouraged to pick up stacks of the report card and distribute throughout the county.

We are partnering with K-JUG at their Family Jugfest, June 7th, 2008 at Plaza Park in Visalia. The event is expected to bring 10,000 people to the park. The coalition is sponsoring the Kid’s Zone and will host an Asthma Adventure Fair, along with bounce houses, craft and food booths, and musical entertainment all day long. Members are encouraged to volunteer their time at this fantastic event. We will take this opportunity to distribute our Report Cards to let our community in Tulare County know about their asthma statistics, quality of our air and recommendations encouraging policy change. This is an excellent opportunity for the community to learn more about us and our on-going diligence to improve the places we live, work, and play.

There continues to be active involvement in policy work by coalition members. We have representation on the Bicycle and Walk-ways Sub-Committee formed after Measure R passed, to assure the funds and plans decrease air pollution. Two coalition members sit on the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) Air Pollution Control District’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) recently formed an air district policy for Environmental Justice. This was a very large policy accomplishment and Christine Foster (TCAC Member) is an original document writer. Most recently they formed the Environmental Justice Advisory Group (EJAG) made up of community members that will report to the three CAC groups: 1. Environmental; 2. Agriculture; and 3. City Government.

The Air District has been working the support of the CAC to get a bigger portion of the Prop 1B money, and $250 million was awarded of the $370 million that was requested. CAC next intends to make sure the money is spent in a way that will get maximum air pollution reductions per $1 spent. Members feel it is important to sit on such committees and set goals to improve the policy work of TCAC.

–Ability to have a voice at the Air District.

–Provide up to date and accurate information to members.

–Knowledge of public hearings and Action Days of the Air District so members can participate to voice opinions.

–Provide accurate and up-to-date information to coalition members and the community on issues that pertain to them such as: school bus rule approval, environmental justice documentation, ozone plan, and any other issues that may arise.

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