Resources for Families

Emergency Assistance

Bright Beginnings Parent Support Lead Program: case management, peer support and more. 

PRC: Preservation, Retention and Contingency Financial assistance for "Shelter assistance services for rental assistance and/or security deposits/or utility assistance, or there is lead poisoning in the house. 

• Email - Submit as an attachment to Cuy-PRC-Application@jfs.ohio.gov. 

• Drop-off - Neighborhood Family Service Center Location Drop Boxes

• Fax - Submit to (216) 987-8655. 

• Phone - Call (216) 987-7392 to leave a message requesting for a PRC application to be mailed to you.

Here are three steps that families can take to address lead hazards at home. 

• Cleaning can reduce lead exposure.

• Identifying Lead hazards in your home.

• Report Lead Hazards to your landlord and City of Cleveland.

Step 1: Cleaning your home.

• EPA has a handbook on steps families can take to protect their children from lead exposure. Your landlord should have provided a copy of this document at the beginning of your tenancy or you can request a copy from CLASH.

• Rent a HepaVac and do a thorough cleaning. Deep cleaning will raise some dust so make sure the children and pregnant women are outside the home for at least 8 hours after the cleaning.

• Use Dustwipes to do spot clean ups after a thorough cleaning.

• Professional cleaning agencies that have experience with Lead safe cleaning standards may be of assistance.

• The dirty truth about taking your shoes off at the door

Step 2 Identifying Lead Hazards in your home

• Identifying and Reducing the Risk of Lead: Friction Impact Surfaces. Produced by Cleveland Department of Public Health

• There are no longer any EPA approved home lead test kits. CLASH is in the process of identifying DIY home lead test kits. Watch for details.

• CLASH can help with testing bare soil in and around your home. Contact clevelandleadsafe@gmail.com

• Get information about lead risks from Cleveland Water Department. When in doubt, home water filters can help. CLASH is working on water testing resources.

Step 3: Report Lead Hazards to your landlord and your local Department of Building and Housing.

• Notify your landlord in writing of any signs of chipping, peeling or deteriorating paint surfaces or bare soil. Email or Text Message is a written notice. KEEP A COPY. 

• In Cleveland, report your complaint Cleveland’s Citizen Complaint Line. Dial 311 or email: Cleveland311@clevelandohio.gov. If you are outside Cleveland, call your city's office of building and housing.

• If you fail to get a response from your landlord or your city's office of building and house, contact CLASH at clevelandleadsafe@gmail.com to learn more about your rights.

Before you or your landlord begin to remove lead hazards, make sure your contractor is using Lead Safe Practices.

• EPA Renovate, Repair and Paint Standards

• EPA Renovate Right booklet is available on line, at local paint sellers in Cleveland, or by request from CLASH.