This agreement provides funding to the american lung association (ALA)

This Project Grant award, totaling $8,000,000 and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Grant Program 66.034 - Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act, provides funding to the American Lung Association to plan, implement and evaluate the Clean Air School Challenge (CASC). The CASC aims to raise awareness, educate, build capacity, increase implementation, and recognize the efforts of K-12 schools in low-income, disadvantaged and tribal communities nationwide as they develop, implement and sustain comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) and greenhouse gas (GHG) management plans. Key activities include engaging a multi-sector advisory group, developing educational resources, assessing state policies, and convening network meetings to build capacity for addressing IAQ and GHG emissions in schools. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029.

Specifically, the recipient will plan, implement and evaluate the clean air school challenge (casc) to raise awareness, educate, build capacity, increase implementation and recognize the efforts of k-12 schools in low-income, disadvantaged and tribal communities nationwide as they develop, implement and sustain comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) and greenhouse gas (GHG) management plans.activities:the proposed activities meet project areas #1: IAQ and GHG reduction and capacity building and #3: IAQ and GHG reduction training and education campaign. These areas were selected to have a significant GHG emission and comprehensive indoor air risk reduction for k-12 schools and school districts (schools) in low-income, disadvantaged and tribal communities (priority communities). ALA will plan, implement and evaluate the clean air school challenge (casc) to raise awareness, educate, build capacity, increase implementation and recognize the efforts of schools in priority communities nationwide as they develop, implement and sustain comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) and greenhouse gas (GHG) management plans (plans). The activities include the following: 1. Engagement and awareness: in year 1, ALA will convene a 12-member multisector, multi-discipline advisory group to represent a variety of linguistic, cultural, institutional and geographical perspectives. The advisory group will meet quarterly and provide guidance on casc activities and ensure efforts are community-driven and support equitable access to program resources and services. 2. Training and education: ALA will promote existing evidence-based resources and develop the following educational assets: 1) IAQ basics, a one-hour online course on IAQ and GHG 2) comprehensive guide for key school staff that summarizes evidence-based research on which IAQ and GHG interventions provide the highest benefits at reasonable cost and the most practical ways to implement those interventions; and 3) factsheets, guidance documents, and other resources to fill gaps in knowledge identified by k-12 key staff. 3. Increase state, regional and national systems to address IAQ/GHG in schools: ALA will assess each state's statutes and educate policy makers in at least 20 states on the benefits of adopting state statutes requiring plans. These policy education and advocacy activities will achieve our goal of increasing the number of plans across the country. ALA will convene and/or participate in quarterly network meetings of EPA-, dept of energy- and CDC-funded organizations working to build capacity of schools to address IAQ and GHG emissions. ALA will also collect and analyze school-submitted IAQ/GHG data and report on results. 4. Evidence: ALA will support human capacity by increasing intellectual capacity through training and education and increase the will to implement plans through the awareness campaign. Organizational capacity will be addressed through the educational resources and direct TA to participating schools to ensure coordination and collaboration. Structural capacity will be reached with the developed of plans. Material capacity will be supported through resources related to funding. Additionally, the ALA has a long list of evidence-based and effective programs that engages schools to implement lung health programs, practices and policies.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: - a database of participating schools - a list of ALA partners and schools engaged - 4 lists of schools in target communities, with nces ID # - 2 national IAQ symposiums held for key staff and community stakeholders - a multi-year awareness campaign developed and implemented - written report with recommendations and 1 educational tool developed for policy makers. - IAQ in schools NE