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EPA Lead Program Grant Fact Sheet
EPA's Targeted Lead Grants
EPA's Targeted Lead Grant Program funds projects in areas with high incidences of children with elevated blood-lead levels in vulnerable populations. In 2007 the Agency awarded more than $5.2 million in grants under this ambitious program. These targeted grants are intended to address immediate needs of the communities in which they are awarded, and will also highlight lead poison prevention strategies that can be used in similar communities across the country.
EPA's lead program is playing a major role in meeting the federal goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning as a major public health concern by 2010, and the projects supported by these grant funds are an important part of this ongoing effort. According to the Centers for Disease Control in 1978 there were 13.5 million children in the US with elevated blood lead levels. By 2002, that number had dropped to 310,000.
Saginaw, Michigan - Faith-based Lead Poisoning Prevention Project of Saginaw
EPA has selected Faith-Based Lead Poisoning Prevention Project (FBLPPP) of Saginaw, Michigan, for a Targeted Lead Grant.
The Project committee, led by a coalition of church groups, will create and sustain partnerships in the city of Saginaw to address childhood lead poisoning. FBLPPP will work with county and city government agencies, community development corporations, minority and small business owners, community organizations, faith-based organizations and parent groups to develop a consortium with sustainable funding.
EPA's grant funds are earmarked to provide a lead prevention program that will:
- Educate parents at community events about lead poisoning and the importance of getting their children tested for elevated blood lead levels,
- Arrange for blood lead testing of children at these events,
- Train parent advocates who will provide support to families as they maneuver through childhood lead poisoning testing, housing inspection and abatement programs and lead-safe work practices courses, and
- Provide community education and training to encourage use of lead-safe work practices among homeowners and renovation workers.
For more information about EPA's Lead Program, visit www.epa.gov/lead or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.