Advocacy Goals 2023

Goals for 2023

Awareness of lead hazards

Expand Child Testing in Cleveland

Identify barriers to child lead testing in Cleveland using an academic study of barriers.
Capillary testing in neighborhood settings, eg. child care, schools, community events.
Advocate for an ODH standard for child testing that includes universal testing based on a 3.5 micrograms/decliter standard and no differential treatment response, eg. everyone over 3.5 gets case management and an investigation to identify the source of the lead.
Restore Pre-K testing in Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
Complete "Barriers to childhood lead testing in Cleveland" study
Mandatory testing of WIC clients (moms and babies), children in foster care and foster care homes.
Expand CLASH store and market displays despite store owner resistance.

Monitor Lead Pipe and fixture replacement

Identify child care centers and pre-school centers which have not received lead pipe replacement
Support efforts by the child care sector to improve child lead testing and education,

Fix'm up or tear'm down safely

Advocate for civil enforcement actions against properties with outstanding Lead Hazard Control Orders.
Push for stronger demolition standards to combat subcontracting to untrained contractors.
Promote RRP practices by DIY contractors through literature distribution in hardware and paint stores

Enforcement of Cleveland's Lead Safe Certificate program

Monitor enforcement policies of the Department of Building and Housing and Cleveland Law Department.
Monitor court enforcement
Participate in Cleveland's Lead Safe Advisory Board.

Promote Federal Lead Safe Housing for Kids Act (LSHKA)

Educate legislators and public housing residents to the gaps in Federal protections of low income tenants.

Investigate Smokestack lead and other industrial hazards

Open Meetings, Open Records

By laws and open appointments for Lead Safe Advisory Board and Lead Screening and Testing Commission
Create Department of Community Development task force to coordinate direct assistance (including relocation) to families with lead poisoning hazards.

Empower families affected by lead to seek assistance