A Vacuum, a Bike, and a Smarter Way to Help Mid-Michigan Kids Breathe Easier
by Tiffany Doolittle, RN, AE-C
Asthma doesn’t care how hard a child tries in school, or how many hours a parent works. When asthma is uncontrolled, it sends kids to the emergency room, keeps parents out of work, and pushes families into crisis. In Michigan’s Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties, one program is changing that story—quietly, compassionately, and cost-effectively.
It’s called MATCH, short for Managing Asthma Through Case Management in Homes. This local program is available to children from birth to 17 who have new or uncontrolled asthma. MATCH is not just about information—it’s about individualized, hands-on solutions delivered right where asthma does the most harm: the home.
At the heart of the program is a trained Asthma Coach—a registered nurse and certified asthma educator—who visits the home and works with families to build self-management skills. Through up to six personalized visits, families learn:
- The proper use and cleaning of inhalers, spacers, and other devices
- How to identify and reduce environmental triggers (like dust, mold, or pests)
- Steps to manage asthma flare-ups before they become emergencies
- How to work with schools and daycares to keep kids safe
- How to connect with community resources that support long-term health
And yes—sometimes it’s as simple as providing a filtered vacuum to replace a broom, or a dust-mite-proof bed cover to reduce nighttime attacks. These small interventions can mean the difference between a child in school and a child in the ER.
Just ask Tia, whose son Kody was born prematurely and suffered from constant asthma attacks. Tia had to quit her job due to his health. After MATCH helped improve their home’s air quality and asthma management routine, Kody’s symptoms stabilized—and Tia returned to work as a medical assistant, now helping other families like hers.
Or Holden, a sharp seven-year-old who missed weeks of school and had multiple ER visits in a single month. MATCH helped the family eliminate mold, remove pests, and build a consistent medication plan. Now Holden sleeps in his own bed again, rides his bike without coughing, and hasn’t missed a day of school since.
The MATCH program is supported in part by the National Asthma Control Program (NACP)—a small but mighty federal initiative that helps local programs like MATCH reduce the burden of asthma across the country. It’s a fantastic example of government that works efficiently, saves money, and strengthens families without creating dependency.
This is the kind of program we should fight to protect. It reflects bipartisan principles—local control, prevention over crisis, and smart spending that reduces long-term costs. The return on investment is enormous.
Let’s continue to support MATCH in Mid-Michigan and similar programs across the country. Let’s keep the National Asthma Control Program alive nationally. Because when families have the tools to manage asthma at home, they don’t just breathe easier—they live better, work more, and raise stronger, healthier children.
Sometimes all it takes is a vacuum, a bike, and a coach.
Tiffany Doolittle, RN, AE-C, specializes in asthma education and management. She is dedicated to empowering children with asthma and their families to understand and effectively manage their condition, ultimately improving their quality of life.