US Attorney Announces Settlement with GR Landlords

Get the Lead Out! Refreshes Strategy

2008 Lead Hot Spots in Grand Rapids

Lead & Asthma Training for Health Workers

Three New Outreach Workers, Bus Advertising Promote Lead Fixes

Earn Money - Organize a Lead Safe Cleaning Practices Class

Renovate Right Coming in April 2010

RPOA & Healthy Homes to Host Lead Workshop for Landlords

Recalled Toys Still a Problem

MDCH Offers Blood Lead Testing Supplies to Clinics

Get the Lead Out! Partner of the Month: Rental Property Owners Association

Get the Lead Out! Quarterly Collaborative Meeting
Meeting location to be announced
Watch your email for a March meeting date and time!

Hazard Reduction Committee
Meets at Home Repair Services, 1100 South Division
NEXT MEETING: 10:00am, Wednesday, February 24

Outreach Committee
Meets at the Baxter Community Center, 935 Baxter SE
NEXT MEETING: 3:30pm, Wednesday, February 25

Lead Hazard Control Partners
Meets at City Hall (fourth floor), 300 Monroe NW
NEXT MEETING: 8:30am, Tuesday, March 2

Blood Lead Testing

Number of Tests

 Number of Children with Lead Poisoning

Percent of Children Tested with Lead Poisoning

Testing data provided by MDCH and is for children birth through age five (72 months).

Fixing Homes

Homes repaired by the City of Grand Rapids Get the Lead Out! Lead Hazard Control Program

US Attorney Announces Settlement with GR Landlords

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 29, 2009 a settlement with two landlords for failing to inform tenants that their homes may contain potentially dangerous lead. The Grand Rapids owners have agreed to pay a $6,000 fine and to render their residential housing lead safe, at an estimated cost of nearly $350,000.

According to the Federal Government, Jose and Guillermina Sierra violated the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Residential Lead Act) and implementing regulations (Lead Disclosure Rule) by failing to inform tenants that their homes may contain potentially dangerous levels of lead. Kent County health officials identified three addresses where children had been lead poisoned while they lived in homes owned or managed by the Sierras.

For more information, www.healthyhomescoalition.org/news/107/86.

Get the Lead Out! Refreshes Strategy

Like this new e-newsletter?  This is just one step the Get the Lead Out! Collaborative is taking to update its collaboration strategy.  In late 2009, Collaborative members were surveyed about how best to receive information and keep plugged into  Get the Lead Out! work.  One answer was better use of technology for providing updates and information.

Another change will be the move to quarterly Collaborative meetings that feature special speakers and problem-solving activities along with opportunities for updates and networking.  The next meeting will be held in March.  Watch for a forthcoming notice!

Many of the other routine activities in which the Collaborative has been engaged will continue through targeted committees - Hazard Reduction, Outreach and Education, and Advocacy.  If you would like to participate in any of these groups, contact Paul Haan at (616) 241-3300 or paul@healthyhomescoalition.org.  Upcoming committee times, dates, and locations are listed in the left-hand column of this newsletter.

If you know someone who should be subscribed to this e-newsletter, send their email address to info@healthyhomescoalition.org.

2008 Lead Hot Spots in Grand Rapids

The Healthy Homes Coalition recently analyzed data provided by the Michigan Department of Community Health that helps to show the neighborhoods in Grand Rapids where the most children are poisoned by lead.  The data is compiled by Census tract block groups and looks at children five years of age and younger.

Portions of the SECA and West Grand neighborhoods saw the highest number of children poisoned, with five children each in one of their block groups.  Four children were identified with lead poisoning in block groups in another block group in West Grand and one in SEENA.

When looking at the percentage of children who were tested who had elevated blood lead results, block groups in the following neighborhoods rose to the top: SEENA (one block group at 20.0% and another at 17.4%), Belknap (16.7%) and West Grand (one block group at 12.5% and another at 11.1%).

To review charts listing block groups with the highest rates of lead poisoning, www.healthyhomescoalition.org/uploads/docs/Census_Top10.xls. 

Lead & Asthma Training for Health Workers

The Healthy Homes Coalition and the Asthma Network of West Michigan are joining forces to offer a full day workshop for health care and human service workers about lead poisoning prevention and managing asthma.  Often the children at risk for lead poisoning are also the very same children that are at risk for uncontrolled asthma.  By joining forces, Healthy Homes and the Asthma Network have developed an exciting agenda packed full of helpful information for clinicians and others.

The day will include hands-on exercises and will feature experts in the field sharing the latest information and resources.  Continuing education credits for nurses are pending.

The class will be held at Calvin College's Prince Conference Center Friday, March 12.  For more information, go to www.Healthy HomesCoalition.org/uploads/PDFs/SaveTheDate.pdf to download a "Save The Date" mail-in registration form.

Three New Outreach Workers, Bus Advertising Promote Lead Fixes

The City of Grand Rapids Get the Lead Out! Lead Hazard Control program is quickly repairing homes throughout Grand Rapids.  With only enough money left to fix another 250 homes, the program is working hard to make sure those with need are served before the current program funding runs out.  To date, 857 homes have been made lead-safe in Grand Rapids.

To make sure the word is getting out, the program has hired three Outreach Workers, all targeting different audiences.  Richard TenHoor is employed by the Rental Property Owners Association to make sure landlords are aware of the opportunity.  Maria Gonzalez works at the Kent County Health Department and focuses upon serving children identified with elevated blood lead levels and Spanish-speaking households.  Kelly Malinowski works out of Healthy Homes and focuses upon general outreach to parents of young children and homeowners.

The campaign has also taken advantage of reduced pricing to place signs in 100 of The Rapids' busses, advertising the availability of the program.  Te get more information on the program and how it might be able to serve you or your clientele, contact Kelly Malinowski at (616) 241-3300 or kelly@healthyhomescoalition.org.

Earn Money - Organize a Lead Safe Cleaning Practices Class

The Healthy Homes Coalition has a great offer for community and faith-based organizations.  Organize a class for your constituents on Lead-Safe Cleaning Practices and your organization can get twenty-five bucks for every eligible household that attends!

The class is 90-minutes long and teaches low-cost and no-cost strategies parents can take to better protect their children from lead in the home.  Parents are also made aware of more in-depth helps such as the City of Grand Rapids Get the Lead Out! Lead Hazard Control program.  And they leave armed with the unique mops and buckets the Healthy Homes Coalition recommends for cleaning up lead dust.

Eligible families must be low-moderate income and have a resident child 0-5 years of age or pregnant woman residing in the home.  For more information about how your organization can earn some cash and benefit your families at the same time, contact Courtney Myers-Keaton at (616) 241-3300 or courtney@healthyhomescoalition.org.

Renovate Right Coming in April 2010

Beginning April 22, 2010, the new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) will go into effect.  This rule requires that all contractors working in pre-1978 child-occupied facilities and homes be certified and use lead-safe work practices.  The rule also pertains to landlords who do the work themselves.

The RRP rule, which has been more than ten years in the making, will help decrease the number of children poisoned by lead dust created by renovation activity.  A recent review of Michigan Department of Community Health data revealed that 41% of children identified with elevated blood lead levels in Michigan during a 12-month period lived in homes that had undergone renovation in the previous 12 months.

The first step towards compliance with the RRP rule is to get contractors and landlords trained and certified.  An eight-hour training course is required for those with no previous lead-safe work practices training.  In some cases, persons with experience may be able to take a four-hour refresher course.

Healthy Homes has a listing of training sessions being conducted in west Michigan on its website at www.healthyhomescoalition.org/news/108/86.

For more information about the RRP rule, go to www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.

RPOA & Healthy Homes to Host Lead Workshop for Landlords

On January 19, the Rental Property Owners Association (RPOA) and Healthy Homes hosted a workshop for a capacity crowd of landlords.  The workshop focused on what landlords need to know in order to be in full compliance with federal, state and local laws pertaining to lead paint.

In response to demand, RPOA and Healthy Homes will be hosting a second workshop at 6:00pm on February 6.  The workshop will be held at the RPOA offices, 1459 Michigan NE.  Contact Richard TenHoor at (616) 454-3385 or RPOAOutreach@rpoaonline.org for more information.

Recalled Toys Still a Problem

In 2009, the federal government enacted new rules regarding lead content in toys and other children's products.  The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) lowered the amount of lead that can be in children's products, yet tainted toys are still being recalled.

Yet the recalls continue to be issued.  The latest recall, Issued January 26, 2010 involved a small plastic horse sold by WalMart that had paint that exceeds the allowable level.

The Healthy Homes Coalition has information for parents concerned on its website at www.healthyhomescoalition.org/lead/for-parents-lead/for-parents-lead-toys.  The State of New York also has an excellent website listing the recalls, complete with pictures at www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/lead/recalls.

MDCH Offers Blood Lead Testing Supplies to Clinics

Clinicians take note!  The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) can provide doctors offices with the supplies required to conduct "filter paper" blood lead testing right in your office.  No more missed referrals.  Now parents can be offered testing right on site, making sure that children receive the care they need.

The City of Grand Rapids has been identified by MDCH as a target community.  All children living in Grand Rapids should receive a blood lead test at both one and two years of age.  This includes all children, not just those who are Medicaid or who live in older, distressed housing.  Each year, providers in Grand Rapids identify dozens of children that are not on Medicaid and who live in neighborhoods that are not assumed to have lead problems with elevated blood lead levels.

Providers who are using LeadCare technology and filter paper are reminded that they are required by state statute to report blood lead testing results to the State within five business days.  Manually entering into MCIR is not an option.  Results need to be sent to MDCH.  For more information about reporting requirements, contact Courtney Pendleton at MDCH at (517) 335-8912 or PendletonC@michigan.gov.

Blood lead testing rates have been slipping in recent years in Kent County.  Providers are encouraged to re-double their efforts to make sure all one and two year old children living in the City of Grand Rapids get tested each year.  Providers who have questions about blood lead testing resources and opportunities may contact Joan Dyer at the Kent County Health Department at (616) 632-7026 or Joan.Dyer@kentcountymi.gov.

Get the Lead Out! Partner of the Month: Rental Property Owners Association

The Rental Property Owners Association (RPOA) has found itself very active with lead related issues in the early months of 2010.  Already last year, RPOA was laying the groundwork to be proactive about the new Renovate Right rule being implemented by the US-EPA in 2010.  During 2009, RPOA hired additional staff to prepare and train landlords to meet this new rule.  RPOA has also been partnering with Healthy Homes in the development of a model curriculum to share with landlords the business case for being proactive about potential lead hazards.

When the federal government took court action against a Grand Rapids landlord in December, RPOA responded by ramping up their educational efforts by hosting informational meetings for landlords to learn about what happened and how they best can protect themselves, their investments, and tenant children.  

RPOA Executive Director Clay Powell is a founding member of the Get the Lead Out! Collaborative.  He serves on the Governor's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission, playing a leadership role as chair of the funding subcommittee.

This newsletter is made possible by the generous support of the Dyer-Ives Foundation and the City of Grand Rapids.  If you would like to learn more about Get the Lead Out!, subscribe your friends or co-workers, or be unsubscribed from our mailing list, please send your request to info@healthyhomescoalition.org.

742 Franklin Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
phone: (616) 241-3300
email: info@healthyhomescoalition.org

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