Schools play a critical role in the health and safety of children with asthma and allergies. That’s why we’ve developed the RESCUE program – Resources for Every School Confronting Unexpected Emergencies.

What is RESCUE

Across the country, asthma is the leading cause of school absences. RESCUE equips public K-12 schools with asthma medication and medical equipment, and trains staff and school nurses on proper administration and storage of asthma rescue medication. Equipment can be used for any child experiencing an asthma emergency or for scheduled daily treatments. Equipment can also be used for any staff member, visitor, or other person on school grounds experiencing respiratory distress.

87% of kids were able to return to the classroom after using a piece of AAFA-STL equipment during an emergency.

After successfully running RESCUE for 12 years in the Greater St. Louis metro area, we’ve expanded the program to bring life-saving asthma resources to public schools across all of Missouri and Illinois. AAFA-STL assists schools during every step of the process, from assessment and procurement to training and reporting, ensuring the best possible outcomes for children.

Medical Equipment and Medicine

AAFA-STL is committed to keeping children in the classroom and out of emergency rooms. Rescue materials can include any of the following:

  • Chambers
  • Disposable Spacers
  • Life-saving medication, like metered dose inhalers or albuterol solution
  • Peak Flow Meters
  • Nebulizers
  • Nebulizer tubing
  • Nebulizer masks

Exact materials are dependent on grant funding requirements of a respective state and/or foundation.


This equipment and access to emergency albuterol is priceless to a school nurse. In an emergency, we can treat our students immediately.

— St. Louis School Nurse


Get RESCUE at your school

Breathe easier knowing your students are in safe hands.

At AAFA StL, we’re part of a movement to make schools and communities safer for those with asthma. Depending on where you live and work, there’s a variety of ways to bring RESCUE to your school.

Missouri and Illinois

With generous support from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Illinois Department of Health Services, we are able to support most public K-12 schools in Missouri and Illinois. Learn more about stock albuterol in Illinois or Missouri and get connected to free asthma medicine and training for your school.

Stock Albuterol across the US

The 16 states listed below currently have passed laws or guidelines on stock albuterol. To learn more about the stock albuterol allowance in your state, what it takes to procure stock albuterol, and the efforts to get funding for robust access, join our Stock Albuterol Taskforce.

States That Allow Stock Albuterol

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia

32 States Do Not Allow Stock Albuterol

There is still a way to go to ensure that children with asthma can be safe in any school in the country. At the AAFA-St. Louis, we’re trying to share research, best practices, and other resources so that advocates and healthcare providers can work to get legislation passed in their states.

Prescription Assistance

If you encounter a child whose family needs prescription assistance or additional support, please refer them to our BREATH (Bridging Resources to Encourage Asthma Treatment and Health) program.