Local Coalitions Flourish

Allen County — Ellen Schellhause of HealthVisions and Ryan Johnson of the Allen County Health Department lead a coalition that is focused on three areas:

• Educating healthcare professionals. Their big event is March 15 when they reach pediatricians, obstetricians, and pediatricians;
• Educating agencies that address housing or kids to help them get the message out; and
• Working to evaluate and focus on neighborhoods designated by ISDH as high-risk.

Lake County — Sr. Annemarie Kampwerth of HealthVisions Midwest and Dr. Richard Hug of the Environmental Justice Project of Indiana University Northwest convened the Lake County Lead Task Force on June 14, 2000. The task force is made up of representatives of the four local health departments, about fifty other health and social agencies in Lake County, and representatives from IDEM. The task force is also working with Region 5 of EPA and the State Lead Program to coordinate efforts in working with the lead issue in Lake County.

The goals of the task force are to educate the public on lead poisoning, increase the amount of testing of children six year or younger, and advocate for interim controls and lead abatement to create a lead safe environment for Lake County children.

The task forces accomplishments to date include:

• Launched training more than 200 local day care providers;
• Coordinated a mass mailing to local physicians and schools;
• Arranged for displays in more than 70 food pantries;
• Completed a comprehensive plan for lead-poisoning education of the public in Lake County; and
• Worked with a major Medicaid provider to identify and screen children located in high-risk neighborhoods.

St. Joseph County – Sue Taylor and Kathleen Kraner of Memorial Hospital coordinate the coalition’s work under the leadership of the new local health officer who is chairing committee. Memorial Hospital – key sponsor for the coalition – has committed to the 2010 goal of virtually eliminating lead poisoning. One priority of the coalition is to develop a HUD-approved program to allow them to find emergency housing for a lead-poisoned child quickly.

Marion County – Dave McCormick of the health dept has hired Tina Gartner to work on day care center education and is in the process of hiring another education coordinator. A recent community forum with the Indiana Minority Health Coalition brought in 75 people. And they continue to conduct hundreds of environmental investigations including enforcing their lead-based paint ordinance when the owner refuses to make improvements.