Department: Public Health Services
Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton - Interim Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): ARPA_Lead
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): American Rescue Plan Act
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by Public Health Services for approval to transfer signatory authority from former Harris County Public Health Executive Director, Barbie Robinson, to Interim Executive Director, Leah Barton, to approve lead abatement activities for the Harris County Public Health Lead Abatement and Prevention Program (HCPH LAPP) in homes and child-occupied facilities. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
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Background and Discussion:
Childhood lead poisoning is a major health concern as it has numerous lifelong effects on children's nervous system and brain development. There is also a negative correlation between childhood lead poisoning, behavioral problems, and learning disorders. In Harris County, 122K homes are potentially at risk for lead-based paint hazards (homes built prior to 1978). Nineteen thousand children under the age of 6 live below the poverty line. Children living below the poverty line have a higher probability of residing in homes built prior to 1978. Thus, there is an evident need to increase lead abatement and blood lead level testing in the community. Public Health Services is requesting the authorization for the Interim Executive Director of Harris County Public Health or her designee to execute agreements on behalf of the County for applicants that qualify and are approved for lead abatement assistance and relocation funded by ARPA.
Expected Impact:
The expected impact of the program's efforts includes reduced exposure to l...
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