Open Airways for Schools (OAS)

OAS consists of six 40 minute group lessons for children with asthma. OAS uses group discussion, stories, games and role play to help students learn to manage their asthma more effectively. OAS is designed to keep children in school and out of the hospital and has been endorsed by the National Association of School Nurses. By April 2007, six new school districts and school nurses have been trained in OAS. Nine school districts are implementing the plan and 92 students have completed OAS sessions.

Freedom from Smoking (FFS)

Freedom from Smoking, a best practice in Tobacco Control Clinics, offers an 8-session group program led by trained facilitators who understand why people smoke. FFS uses a positive behavior-change approach to smoking cessation that assists participants in understanding their smoking behaviors and developing a personalized approach to quitting. FFS sessions emphasize on long term freedom from smoking; ex-smokers will identify the pitfalls of relapse, and carefully plan to prevent it. Different techniques are introduced based on principles and methods that help the individual gain control over his/her behavior. FFS is a new program for Houston. Because of a smoke-free ordinance that came into effect September 2007, demand for FFS classes has been increasing and is projected to continue increasing for the near future.

Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU)

TATU is a youth smoking prevention program. The TATU. programming educates, informs and seeks to turn young people from potential tobacco users to anti-tobacco advocates. TATU is fairly new to the Houston service area. In the 2007-2008 school year, a large, Houston-area school district secured tobacco prevention funding, and planned to spend it on TATU programming with the intention of training up to 2500 elementary school students.

Not on Tobacco (N-O-T)

N-O-T is intended for regular smokers aged 14-19 who want to quit. N-O-T is a voluntary non-punitive program that uses life management skills to help teen smokers handle stress, decision making and peer and family relationships. Because males and females may start and stop smoking for different reasons, N-O-T facilitators often employ gender sensitive programming, including separate classes for males and females. Of N-O-T classes conducted in the school year ending in 2006, over 90% of the participants successfully completed the program, with 58% reported as having quit smoking and 30% reporting a significant reduction in smoking behavior.

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