Partnering with communities to protect children from lead poisoning
Abstract
Lead poisoning harms children and results in increased costs to society. This has been a problem for many years, particularly in older housing, typically occupied by low-income residents. Supported by the resources of the Shriver Center at the University of Maryland, CLEARCorps (the Community Lead Education and Reduction Corps) mobilizes teams of committed, well-trained AmeriCorps members to clean up toxic lead in low-income communities, to educate families about the dangers of lead and to engage in community outreach. The success of the program is due in large part to community partnerships and mobilizing community volunteers. This program was highlighted in the National Service News, Issue No.158, May 13, 2002, published by the Corporation for National and Community Service.Issue
Finding efficient and effective ways to eliminate lead hazards for low-income residents and educating families in low-income neighborhoods about the dangers of lead poisoning to prevent further incidences.Action
- The Shriver Center at the University of Maryland provides program and administrative support and direction to the CLEARCorps program (the Community Lead Education and Reduction Corps).
- AmeriCorps members work in teams with community-based affiliates (organizations committed to children, health, education, and the environment) who adapt the program to fit local realities and needs.
- Members at all sites work to develop community partnerships and mobilize community volunteers.
- Community partnerships include community based organizations, city and state agencies, lead poisoning coalitions, health clinics, day care centers, neighborhood schools and parent associations, local businesses, construction contractors, property owner associations, policy makers, colleges and universities, and local arts organizations.
- Family centered partnerships include family members, friends, neighbors, property owners, and caregivers.
- CLEARCorps USA provides a member development manual for affiliates to use, including training curricula and suggested activities for members during the course of their service year.
- AmeriCorps members:
- Eliminate lead hazards in low-income residences by repairing lead hazards in windows and porches, stabilizing chipping, flaking, and peeling paint, correcting building conditions that may cause paint to deteriorate, conducting specialized cleaning to remove lead-contaminated dust, and building raised gardens in areas where the soil previously was contaminated.
- Engage in community outreach by educating families, property owners, volunteers, and other community members in effective, low-cost techniques to eliminate lead hazards in homes.
- To ensure that all work is done safely, all team members receive state-certified lead-abatement training and are licensed or certified as abatement workers.
- In the Twin Cities, Joe Evans of CLEARCorps wrote and produced an interactive play, Jimmy's Getting Better, on the sources and effects of lead and ways to prevent exposure to this toxic substance. The play has run both locally and nationally.
Context
Nearly 1 million children living in the United States have lead levels in their blood that are high enough to cause irreversible damage to their health. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997) Lead is especially toxic for children under six years old who can suffer permanent damage as a result of lead exposure. Few children become lead poisoned by eating paint chips or chewing on painted surfaces, but are poisoned by exposure to lead contaminated household dust. Lead contamination in the home comes primarily from old lead based paint that is deteriorating, or rubbed off from friction surfaces such as windows and doors.
CLEARCorps is an AmeriCorps service program based at the Shriver Center of the University of Maryland in Baltimore County. Fifty-five members serve at sites in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Houston, Cincinnati, Providence, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Since 1993 the Shriver Center has administered several multi-site programs directed at service to the urban community.
CLEARCorps was created in 1995 through a partnership between The Shriver Center and the National Paint and Coatings Association.CLEARCorps USA is supported by an AmeriCorps grant, grants from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and private industry.
Outcome
Since 1995, CLEARCorps has conducted more than 500 presentations educating over 27,000 community members on the dangers of toxic lead.Since 2000, a lead-safe living environment was created for 1,968 children aged six or younger. Lead poisoning prevention is becoming part of America's public consciousness.Evidence
Since 1996, CLEARCorps/USA programs made 1,098 living units safe from lead hazards. Since 2000, CLEARCorps teams have:- Repaired lead hazards in 4,309 windows
- Stabilized paint in 2,961 rooms
- Repaired 78 porches
- Built 187 raised gardens in areas where the soil was contaminated
Posted On
July 19, 2002For More Information