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): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
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):
title
Request for approval of transfer of signatory authority from former Harris County Public Health Executive Director, Barbie Robinson, to Interim Executive Director, Leah Barton, for lead abatement activities for the Housing Urban Development Lead Hazard Reduction Grants.
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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). 19K 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. This is in alignment with our goals to increase the lead abatement program's productivity.
Expected Impact:
The expected impact of the program's efforts includes reduced exposure to lead-based paint hazards as well as improved health outcomes by detecting elevated blood lead levels, identifying its s...
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