The Child Asthma Link Line is a telephone-based care coordination system in Philadelphia. Created by the Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Coalition, the Link Line connects families to a network of services, programs, and events. After families are enrolled in the Link Line program, care coordinators complete a needs assessment to determine each client’s specific problems and concerns. They then provide referrals to medical, educational, and social resources, provide targeted educational messages, and provide encouragement and support. Over the three-month service period, care coordinators make regular telephone contact with the families to follow-up on referrals, provide additional education, and trouble-shoot any remaining problems. Six months after enrollment in the program, clients are contacted again for a follow-up interview in order to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and its impact on the community it serves. The Link Line is designed to help simplify asthma care for families. It also works to leverage resources in order to ensure that community members are aware of the wealth of resources available in Philadelphia. The Link Line is managed by the Health Promotion Council, a non-profit organization with a strong reputation as a trusted community partner. The Link Line’s success derives from a sincere commitment and connection to community members and resource partners. The Link Line’s commitment to their client is evident in client stories and testimonials.

Sherri (names have been changed to protect confidentiality) is a 4-year-old Hispanic girl. She lives with her mother, Joan, and a 16-year-old sister. Both Joan and Sherri’s sister have Muscular Dystrophy. Joan was forced to reduce her working hours because of her illness. She had applied Social Security benefits, but was denied. The family’s income is $300.00 a month and they rely in food stamps for nutrition. Joan expressed a desire for asthma education. The family did not have an Asthma Action Plan. Sherri also needed mattress pad covers and other modifications to remove asthma triggers from the home. The Asthma Care Coordinator (ACC) referred the family to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and encouraged Joan to continue with her appeal to Social Security Administration. The ACC also referred the family to community centers: Casa Del Carmen, Concilio, Congresso and the Light House for support and services (such as clothing and food assistance). A referral was made to WIC for food assistance and to DPW, Office of Civil Rights, and Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission for assistance with the Social Security application. For asthma education services, the family was referred to the American Lung Association and the Community Asthma Prevention Program for classes, and referred to a Home Visit program for an environmental assessment and home repairs. Services where approved and repairs were done to the home, improving the families ability to control asthma triggers. Joan expressed that the Asthma Link Line had been very supportive and she really appreciated the help.

Jennifer is a 5-year-old African American female. She lives in Southwest Philadelphia. She was referred by the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital. The caregiver, Tina, stated that her car was stolen and her daughter’s nebulizer machine was in the car. Caregiver also reported a number of environmental triggers (vermin, no mattress covers), and requested asthma education. The ACC contacted the PCP and requested a prescription for a nebulizer, contacted their AmeriChoice asthma case manager, called a medical supply company and requested home delivery of the nebulizer, and the nebulizer was received within five days of enrollment. AmeriChoice also sent a representative for a home asthma visit, and the family was referred to the Community Asthma Prevention Program asthma classes.

Juan is a 2-years-old Hispanic male. He lives with his mother, Maria, and siblings in North Philadelphia. He has asthma, heart problems, reflux, allergies and developmental delay. He received medical care at Temple Children’s Hospital, and was referred to the Link Line by Temple Pediatric Care. Juan had no asthma action plan, no asthma equipment (spacers), and no mattress covers. The caregiver stated that she had a rat infestation problem, and that she smoked. Maria requested asthma education and expressed a desire for information and support services for her special needs child. The family was referred to the Asthma Safe Kids Home Visit Program and a rat control service, as well as the Parents Involved Network (PIN) for families with children with special needs. Maria was also referred to a smoking cessation program a Concillio. After receiving the referrals above, Juan’s physician completed an Asthma Action Plan. Juan received a nebulizer and a spacer, and the ASK program provided mattress and pillow covers, and provided asthma education. Maria called PIN and Juan was enrolled in the program for special needs services. She enrolled in a rat control program and the city contacted the family to schedule a home visit to remediate the rat infestation. After the three month services, the caregiver reported that she quit smoking. As a result of these efforts, Juan’s asthma symptoms have improved, his asthma is under control, and his family reported an improved quality of life.

John and Jack were two African American boys with asthma. Their mother, Tanya, was concerned that her children needed albuteral for school and nebulizers at home. The children were exposed to secondhand smoke from a neighbor and cat dander. Both children had allergies and they did not have mattress or pillowcase covers. Tanya was very interested in services. She enrolled in, and completed, both a home visiting program, and an asthma class. Tanya received mattress and pillowcase covers. She removed the cat from her children’s bedrooms and she was able to remediate the home to remove secondhand smoke exposure. The ACC helped Tanya access medications for school and nebulizers for both children at home. She also connected the family to Asthma Camp and Asthma Olympics for John and Jack. At the end of services, the John and Jack had received asthma supplies, medication, home visits, summer activities, and education at no charge to the family.