2004 Lead-Safe Indiana Award Recipient

The following individuals and organizations received a 2004 Lead Safe Indiana Award from the Task Force at its 2004 Indiana Lead-Safe and Healthy Homes Conference on November 10, 2004.  State Senator Beverly Gard, State Representative Bill Crawford, the Alliance for Healthy Homes' Don Ryan, Tom Neltner and Dave McCormick presented the awards.  For more information on the awards process. For information on 2001,  2002, and 2003 award recipients.

2004 Award Recipients:

• Karen Long, Howard County Health Department in Kokomo

• Environmental Management Institute represented by Joan Ketterman

• Sarge Visher, Congresswoman Julia Carson

• M. Sami Khawaja of Quantec of Portland, Oregon

• Nicole Gaunt, Fort Wayne – Allen County Health Department

• Van Rooy and Associates represented by Joe Overton and Rick Walker

• State Representative Bill Crawford

• Indiana Lead Elimination Plan Team Leaders

• Don Ryan, Executive Director, Alliance for Healthy Homes

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Karen Long, Howard County Health Department in Kokomo

Karen Long is a public health nurse at Howard County Health Department.  Like many public health nurses, she wears many hats.  Lately, flu shots dominate her work.  But her passion is with protecting children from lead poisoning.  As a licensed risk assessor, she goes that extra mile to find the problem and push for solutions.  She was successful in convincing her chief health officer to order a cleanup of lead hazards.  She also networks with her peers in nearby counties and helps them succeed.  Finally, Karen has been a quiet but constructive force behind this success of this conference. 

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Environmental Management Institute represented by Joan Ketterman

The Environmental Management Institute is the primary lead and asbestos training firms in Indiana. EMI has been there whenever needed.  When we needed a HUD-approved, four-hour lead-safe work practices course, EMI wrote one and got it approved by HUD – the only one of general use in the United States.  EMI serves as the fiscal host for the conference and provide critical support for Improving Kids’ Environment.  As a non-profit committed to building capacity in Indiana, it has been a valuable partner to the Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force.

Unfortunately, Dr. Jack Leonard – the Institute’s President - is not able to be here today.   He is working with the University of Indianapolis on its courses. 

Joan Ketterman is the primary lead and asbestos instructor for EMI.  She is a former teacher not committed to helping us all.  She knows the rules.  Just for fun watch her argue with Tom Neltner over the fine points of the HUD rule – like brothers and sisters fighting.  She is here to accept the award on behalf of EMI.

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Sarge Visher, Congresswoman Julia Carson

From Day 1, Sarge Visher has been there with the words of advice and help on networking for Improving Kids’ Environment and the Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force.  He has provided the gut-check when things got tough and the clear vision when things got confusing.

Behind the scenes but always helpful, Sarge Visher has been a powerful force for lead poisoning prevention in Indiana. 

Now if only he could convince Tom to worker harder to explain to our juvenile court system that they must deal with the damage caused by lead poisoning.

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M. Sami Khawaja of Quantec of Portland, Oregon

Portland Oregon is a far from Indiana.  Some would say a world apart.  Sami provided essential guidance and advice to the Indiana State Department of Health in developing the Lead Elimination Plan.  He donated hundreds of hours of expertise and effort. 

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Nicole Gaunt, Fort Wayne – Allen County Health Department

Nicole Gaunt is widely recognized as one of the best case managers in Indiana.  She handles more than 60 active cases with attention, care and that personal touch.  She also goes that extra step to identify learning disabilities and integrate those issues in her support. 

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Van Rooy and Associates represented by Joe Overton and Rick Walker

Van Rooy manages about 4500 units in Indianapolis.  Most of this property is old.  Despite the temptation to ignore the issue of lead-based paint, they have taken a different path.  They require all of their painting contractors to have lead-safe work practices training and to use the training.  They ensure that contractors provide the required EPA Pre-Renovation Notice. 

Tom Neltner told me that he often talks to people as he rides the bus downtown.  Riders consistently tell him how responsive Van Rooy to their needs and concerns.  With that many properties, things are never perfect.  But Van Rooy is committed to keeping the older properties affordable, safe and healthy.  Indy is lucky to have them.

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State Representative Bill Crawford

Representative Crawford is a powerful force for safe, healthy and affordable housing in the Indiana House of Representatives.  As Chair of House Ways and Means Committee for the past two years, he has used the position to bring about many changes to help low-income residents.  While we are often on different sides of issues, I respect his work and am pleased to give him this award on behalf of the Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force.

Specifically, his leadership of the Joint Select Commission for Medicaid Oversight provided the opportunity to hold ISDH and Indiana Medicaid accountable for fixing the serious flaws in the Medicaid screening and reimbursement system.  Under his intense gaze, ISDH and Medicaid responded with a creative plan that promises to help local health departments across the state.

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Don Ryan, Executive Director, Alliance for Healthy Homes

Don was unaware that he was getting an award.  He is certainly deserving.  But I needed to step in because he is too modest to present the award to himself on behalf of the Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force. 

Don Ryan was there when the Alliance for Healthy Homes was called the Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisoning.  The laws that we follow are largely his handiwork.  He has poured his life and his passion into protecting kids.  I have no idea where we would be had he chosen to stay in Alabama. 

Don recently announced that he was leaving the Alliance in April to pursue new passions.  We will miss him and did not want to miss this opportunity to recognize his work!  Don, interested in coming to Indiana and taking over IKE.  I have heard rumors that Tom Neltner is heading to DC in August.

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Indiana Lead Elimination Plan Team Leaders

You have heard about Indiana’s plan throughout this conference.  CDC has approved Indiana’s plan and recognized it as a model for other states.  ISDH wrote the plan with a combination of motivated staff and an Elimination Plan Advisory Team.  The team members are:

• John Hall (chair of the committee)

• Nancy Cobb (director of CLPPP when plan was developed)

• Mary Ellen Burke

• Maria Larson

• Matt Waldo

• Mark Young

• Paula Smith

• Dave McCormick

• Nicole Bolde (she could not be with us today)

• Charlene Graves

A good plan is a team effort and this team got it done!  Congratulations!