Healthy Homes

Cook Children’s Healthy Homes program aims to create healthier home environments for children with asthma by promoting education and reducing asthma-related visits to the school nurse and emergency room. Success relies on strong partnerships between children, caregivers and healthcare providers to understand the disease, avoid triggers and maintain effective treatment.

Participants are in the program for three months and receive home visits and follow-up calls every month to evaluate the progress of the child's asthma symptoms.

Asthma training and collaboration opportunities

Managing a child’s asthma symptoms requires education and collaboration across a child’s social network. Strategies to help improve health outcomes include:

Parents and caregivers should work with their child’s health care provider to create a personalized asthma action plan. The plan will help guide caregivers, family members, teachers and others to understand the steps to manage the child’s asthma symptoms. These plans often include emergency contact information and a list of medications categorized by the severity of symptoms.
Connect families with coordinated care services as well as community resources to address immediate social service needs utilizing community health workers. Develop and distribute evidence-informed education, resources, and interventions that provide support for parents and caregivers.
Offer continuous education and training so that health care providers, community health workers, pharmacists and others can provide parents and caregivers with updated information regarding managing asthma triggers inside and outside the home, recognizing escalation signs and appropriate use of asthma medications. As the asthma triggers, symptoms, and treatment options may change over time, ongoing education will help caregivers and children with long-term asthma management. Cook Children’s Healthy Homes asthma program focuses on addressing and mitigating environmental factors present in the household that may be causing the child’s asthma symptoms to worsen.
Creating a safe school environment for children with asthma is essential. Programs like Asthma 411 in Tarrant County train school nurses to respond to respiratory distress and improve asthma care, while initiatives such as asthma friendly schools offer a comprehensive approach for asthma management.

Meet our team

Marquietta Jones, MPH, CHW, Program Coordinator

"I love being in the communities in which I serve; educating, advocating and connecting!"

Marquietta Jones has over 27 years of health care, community and public health experience. She has been a Community Health Worker for over six years. Marquietta has a servant’s heart and loves helping and educating families in her community.

Cristina Cantu, Community Health Worker

"I love the satisfaction my heart feels when I make a positive impact in a child and their family's lives by sharing my knowledge through education!"

Cristina Cantu has over 30 years of health care experience in community and public health and has been a community health worker for more than 19 years. Cristina loves connecting with families and is passionate about improving their health and well-being. Se habla español.

Rosemary Ragon, Community Health Worker

"I believe when you are kind to others, it not only changes you but changes the world."

RoseMary Ragon has 30 years of community work experience and has been a Community Health Worker for 11 years. Her passion is helping people and making a difference in their lives. RoseMary loves teaching others and being involved in her community. Se habla español.

Clerbela Valcourt, Community Health Worker

"I believe that you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have!"

Clerbela Valcourt is a highly motivated Community Health Worker with over 15 years of health care experience. Originally from Florida, Clerbela is honest, hardworking, reliable, compassionate and enjoys helping families with diverse backgrounds.

Courtney Barnard, EdD, LMSW-AP, Director

Courtney Barnard is a social worker with over 15 years of experience helping children, families, and communities create healthier lives.

Contact us about our program

For questions or information on our Healthy Homes, please email HealthyHomes@cookchildrens.org .

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