AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT The Australian Government, through the Department of Health and Ageing, manages the Asthma Management Program. Under this framework, Asthma Australia is funded to deliver two programs to the Australian community. Asthma Child and Adolescent Program Asthma Australia provides asthma information and emergency response training, including information about linked respiratory conditions, for: Education staff in schools and preschools Parents and carers Adolescents Since the commencement of the program in November 2009: 148 104 staff in schools and preschools have been trained 7 514 1 hour Asthma Australia training sessions have been provided across Australia This means 61.5% of schools and 26.5% of preschools across Australia have current asthma emergency training (statistics accurate at 30 June 2011). A comment from a senior staff member attending a school session indicates that this training provides, "an opportunity to assess asthma awareness and management in our school with a view to improving the staff's knowledge of the condition and treatment options should an asthma attack occur at school. Potential triggers for an asthma attack were identified and policies are now in place to ensure a healthy working and learning environment for all." Asthma Community Support Program Asthma Australia provides information and education to people throughout Australia, supporting people who have asthma and the families and carers of people with asthma. The Community Support Program provides all Australians with: Education Information Support People can attend education sessions including: Live Well with Asthma Seniors Residential Aged Care Facilities Carer Sessions The Community Support Program can also provide updates for Health professionals. Since the program commenced in November 2009, almost 16 500 people have accessed the program. In the last year (1 July 2010- 30 June 2011) 511 sessions were conducted. The program receives positive feedback from attendees, such as: "Thought I was pretty much on top of my asthma but today I learnt I have lots to fix … recommend every person with asthma to come along" - Live Well with Asthma attendee Following an Aged Care session, nurses reported how useful they found the session, that they now had confidence using a puffer and a spacer together and that they were going to investigate purchasing spacers for a number of the residents © Asthma Australia