From early 2003 through early 2004, over 100 organizations met in regional meetings across California to begin the process of uniting to address asthma in our state.  Regional meetings in Fresno, Monterey, and Los Angeles resulted in the development of a CAP Steering Committee to further guide implementation of the strategic plan. 

Since that time, California Asthma Partners (CAP) has developed into a statewide partnership of more than 250 California non-governmental organizations, agencies, institutions, coalitions, collaboratives, and other programs working to implement the Strategic Plan for Asthma in California. CAP was created in response to the need in California for a comprehensive and strategic approach to addressing asthma, a growing public health concern across the country.  

CAP Mission and Goals

CAP works to facilitate comprehensive solutions to asthma prevention and management and to improve the health and the quality of life for Californians with asthma.  CAP believes that asthma stakeholders in our state, such as local and regional coalitions, health promotion agencies, medical professionals, and advocacy groups (among others), have the collective strength necessary to implement the Strategic Plan for Asthma in California. Member partners and their allies work together to speak with one voice, and support, but not eclipse, the mission of individual partners. 

Together, the collective strength, diverse experience, and expertise of individual members identify the California Asthma Partners agenda. In consultation with the general CAP membership, the CAP steering committee will guide a range of activities to:

• Support a comprehensive, evidence-based and community-oriented public policy and research agenda on asthma prevention;
• Build strong connections between asthma organizations and create linkages to other programs working on related health issues like environmental justice, obesity, and tobacco;
• Monitor progress on the Strategic Plan for Asthma in California and create, support, and advocate for an increase in activities and resources that further  its implementation;
• Shape research efforts for asthma in California and support surveillance efforts to better assess the burden of asthma in California; and
• Help build a sustainable infrastructure for asthma action in California.
  

To view a diagram of CAP's operational structure, click here.

CAP activities are guided by a Steering Committee comprised of the following CAP members:

John R. Balmes, MD, UCSF / San Francisco General Hospital

Lynn Devine - on Executive Committee, American Lung Association of California 

Rebecca Flournoy, MPH, PolicyLink

Bert Jones, MA, GlaxoSmithKline

Francene Lifson, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

Joni Low, - on Executive Committee, Asian Business Association of San Diego

Kate Lorenzen, MPA, Regional Asthma Management & Prevention Initiative

Jim Mangia, St. John's Well Child and Family Center

Louise McCarthy, California Primary Care Association 

Elisa Nicholas, MD, MSPH, The Children's Clinic / Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma

Arcela Nunez-Alvarez, PhD,  National Latino Research Center / California State University, San Marcos

Dale Parent, RN, BSN, MA, CA School Nurses Organization / Chula Vista Elementary School District



Support Staff
Jennifer Bolcoa and Debbie Shrem staff the California Asthma Partners.  They maintain the website, work with the Steering Committee and forge new partnerships and alliances among leaders addressing asthma.  To reach Debbie or Jennifer, visit the Contact Us link on this page.

CAP is part of California Breathing, a five-year initiative to implement the Strategic Plan for Asthma in California.  Creating partnerships to reduce the burden of asthma is one of the primary objectives of this program.  California Breathing is directed by the California Department of Health Services Environmental Health Investigations Branch (EHIB).   EHIB was awarded funding under the "Addressing Asthma from a Public Health Perspective" program of the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).