DPHHS is offering one-time incentive payments to recruit employees at Montana’s state-run health care facilities. For more information go to Work4DPHHS.com

Asthma Friendly Schools

The Montana Asthma Control Program provides resources for schools in Montana seeking to create asthma friendly learning environments.

Online Trainings

School Staff
The Montana Asthma Control Program partners with the Montana Office of Public Instruction to offer the self-pace online Creating Asthma Friendly Schools training, housed on the OPI educator continuing education platform. The course is approved for two OPI renewal units. The training follows the Creating Asthma Friendly Schools in Montana Guide, which anyone can access for more information.

Childcare Providers
The Creating Asthma Friendly Childcares course is available on the childcaretraining.org website. The course is a self-paced online course worth two childcare continuing education credits.

School Asthma Mini-Grants

The School Health Mini-Grant Program was created by the Montana Asthma Control Program and the Montana School Health Program to enable school nurses school administrators and other school personnel to support chronic disease improvement projects in Montana schools. $1,000 grants are provided to schools to assist them in providing school-based asthma management and training.

Asthma and Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is a common asthma trigger in Montana. The Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Office of Public Instruction have approved recommendations for when to cancel outdoor sporting events due to wildfire smoke. Schools are required to consult these guidelines when determining to hold or cancel outdoor events during poor air quality conditions. School administrators, coaches and other staff can use this information to make informed decisions during wildfire season. For more information on how schools can protect their indoor air quality and student/staff health, visit airquality.mt.gov.

Order Free Asthma Education Materials

The Montana Asthma Control Program offers free educational materials for any healthcare professionals or health educators interested in providing asthma education. Materials can be ordered at any time by submitting a simple order form to the program.

Asthma Education Material Order Form

Asthma-Related Laws

MCA 20-5-420 (Medication Self-Carry)
Allows students in Montana who have a Medication Authorization form on file with the school to carry and self-administer their rescue asthma medication. The law also allows for back up medication to be kept at the school. Schools cannot deny students the right to carry their asthma medication if this form is completed and on-file at the school.

Asthma and Severe Allergy Medication Authorization form.

Montana Asthma Action Plan for kids.

Stock Albuterol in Schools
An amendment to MCA 20-5-421, passed by the 69th Montana Legislature in 2025, authorizes public and private K-12 schools to maintain a supply of stock Albuterol and administer albuterol to anyone believed in good faith to be experiencing respiratory distress in the school setting or at a school-sponsored event. The law is effective July 1, 2025. For more information visit dphhs.mt.gov/schoolhealth/chronichealth/asthma.

Guidance and Resources: