BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - The Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey (PACNJ) is proud to recognize Lakeview Child Center as the first recipient of the Asthma Friendly Child Care Program Award.

With seven locations throughout Central New Jersey, Lakeview Child Centers received the award for its commitment to providing a healthy environment for children with asthma. Employees received pediatric first aid training and asthma education to better understand the chronic illness, its symptoms, triggers and treatment. Each child with asthma has an Asthma Treatment Plan on file at their respective center explaining how to administer their asthma medication.

"The goal of this program is to ensure that all children diagnosed with asthma in schools and licensed childcare facilities receive optimal care," says Clatie Campbell, respiratory therapist and Co-Chair of PACNJ. "Lakeview’s commitment to creating an asthma-friendly environment for its students is a model for child care centers throughout New Jersey."

Asthma is a serious chronic illness in which the airways of the lungs become swollen or inflamed. In Mercer County, asthma is one of the leading causes of hospitalization among children 18 years old and younger.

"Choosing a child care center is difficult for any parent, especially if your child has a chronic condition like asthma," says LuAnn Wood, vice president of Lakeview Child Centers. "Lakeview’s commitment to providing an asthma friendly environment helps parents go about their day worry-free, knowing their child is safe and cared for."

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Lakeview Child Center is an autonomous affiliate of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. Lakeview Child Center, which opened in 1985, operates a network of seven nationally accredited childcare centers throughout Central New Jersey, serving children from six weeks to six years. Lakeview also runs two kindergarten programs and two summer enrichment camps.

Asthma is a chronic disease in which airway inflammation makes breathing difficult when a person is exposed to a variety of triggers. It is a serious condition that needs on-going medical care and patient education on how to manage asthma in the home and child care setting. Child care programs can play a major role in keeping children with asthma safe and healthy.

To learn more about how to control asthma, what triggers asthma, and how to make your child care center "asthma friendly," contact the Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey at www.pacnj.org or info@pacnj.org. Additional information on asthma, tobacco control and the environment is available from the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA or by logging onto www.lungusa.org.