Federal Agencies Join Together in Launching New SE Regional Lead Task Force

"Its leadership and collaboration to get us where we want to be," said Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett of HUD's Region 4, in helping to kick off formation of a new lead task force.

During a virtual summit held on November 12, principals and other participants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explored a wide range of potential activities to combat lead exposure. "Lead poisoning abatement has been a priority for Secretary Carson," said RA Cleveland-Leggett.

Summit leadership consisted of the EPA's Regional Administrator Mary Walker; Michelle Miller, Acting Director of HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH); Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett; and Dr. Sharunda Buchanan, Director of Priority Projects and Innovation, Immediate Office of the Director, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

EPA's Donnette Sturdivant, Chief, Chemical Safety Section of EPA's R4 Redevelopment and Chemicals Branch, and HUD's Shea Johnson, Director of Georgia Operations, oversaw the planning of the summit and facilitated the event. They were joined by Joseph J. Phillips, HUD Office of Public Affairs; OLHCHH's Myia Egleton, Bruce Haber, and Kitt Rodkey. Youlanda Outin of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also supported.

The development of the new Lead Task Force strongly supports the Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (FLAP). The key result was agreement to establish the regional Federal Lead Task Force. Representatives of the summit and other federal agencies, aim to identify opportunities to connect resources, including outreach related, in support of community-based efforts to protect children. Another goal is to create opportunities for enhanced coordination for the understanding, prevention, and elimination of lead-based hazards and health risks.

Leaders explored engagement among how each agency is addressing lead issues and how the goals of the FLAP are being accomplished. Positive consideration was made of developing a workgroup for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

The need for increased data sharing and expanded use of HUD Lead Hazard Control Grants (and other funding) in the region were two summit highlights. Getting the word out to smaller, overlooked or non-participating communities should be a driver.

One overarching theme that emerged was the importance of cross agency partnerships as well as those involving other stakeholders. "We have to work together, not in silos," said Cleveland-Leggett.

OLHCHH's Michelle Miller emphasized the importance of finding committed partners and "champions" behind efforts like this. She identified Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) as one such example. Another is the USDA Extension's Healthy Homes Partners.

The 2018 Lead Action Plan serves as a blueprint to reduce childhood lead exposure and associated harms through collaboration among 17 federal agencies and White House offices, with a range of stakeholders, including states, tribes and local communities, along with businesses, property owners and parents. The FLAP helps federal agencies work strategically and collaboratively to reduce exposure to lead and improve children's health. For more information about this regional lead effort, please write GA_webmanager@hud.gov.

Photo caption: Region IV Lead Force Task Force Virtual Summit leadership presentation and discussion from HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) and Region IV, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Director of Priority Projects and Innovation, Immediate Office of the Director, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

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