Administrative Brief COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 23, NO. 05 February 23, 2001
'~" ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM PAUL RICHARDSON
The City-County Health Department was notified January 2001 that it received a targeted
six (6) month grant.
Program Objectives:
To provide lead poisoning prevention, education, environmental screening and follow-up
to families with children 0 - 3 years of age. These families will be identified through the
Health Department Well Child Assessment Program and the Heartland Healthy Families
Program.
Heartland Healthy Families is a collaborative program of the Health Department and Salina
Head Start. Trained consultants make weekly home visits to families with children 0 - 3
year of age who are considered overburdened or at risk. This is determined through an
assessment process. Risks include, but are not limited to Iow income and no health
insurance coverage. Many of these families live in older and substandard housing. There
is a greater risk of lead exposure in these types of homes.
Process Ob!ectives:
1. Health Department staff will train Heartland Consultants and other staff regarding lead
poisoning and prevention.
2. Heartland families and families with children receiving Well Child screening will be
educated and given a verbal environmental assessment.
3. Children of families with a positive environmental screening will be referred for blood
lead screening. This will be done at either their physicians office or at the Health
Department.
4. Any family with a child whose blood lead level is 10 mcg/deciliters through 19
mcg/deciliters will be given a Lead Smart sampling kit. They will be instructed on
sampling dust, paint chips, soil and water. Children with blood leads above 19
mcg/deciliters are automatically followed up by the Health Department.
5. These environmental samples will be sent in by the Health Department to be analyzed.
6. Health Department staff will review the test results and educate families on methods to
reduce lead exposure and on prevention measures. Children with initial blood levels of
15 to 19 mcg/deciliters will need a repeat blood level test in three months. If these test
results continue to be 15 or above, a home environmental lead survey will be
conducted.
-OVER-
CIM Page 2
7. A Hepa filter vacuum will be provided to families who continue to have children with
elevated blood lead levels.
8. All lead kits and vacuums will be purchased prior to June 30, 2001. However, they will be distributed on an "as needed" basis.
MONDAY'S MEETING
1. Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has any questions or
cannot attend the meeting, please contact me.
2. Let's begin the study session at 2:30 p.m. An agenda is enclosed.
Dennis M. Kissinger
City Manager