Beating the Odds: Eliminating Lead Exposure for Kids in the Nation’s Capital

1. Beating the Odds:Eliminating Lead Exposure for Kids in the Nation’s Capital

2. Handicapping the Odds Old Housing + Poverty=

3. Losing Bet

4. The DC Baseline October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008 13,608 Children Tested 467 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (3.43% of those tested)

5. Against All Odds 10/1/07 – 9/30/08: 13,608 Children Tested 467 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (3.43% of those tested) 10/1/08 – 9/30/09: 15,490 Children Tested 457 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (2.96% of those tested) 10/1/09 – 9/30/10: 16,273 Children Tested 412 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (2.53% of those tested) 10/1/10 – 9/30/11: 15,822 Children Tested 341 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (2.16% of those tested) 10/1/11 – 9/30/12: 16,103 Children Tested 265 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (1.65% of those tested) 10/1/12 – 9/30/13: 15,257 Children Tested 181 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (1.19% of those tested)

6. The Bottom Line (1) Greater than 60% Decline in 5 Years (of Children Newly Identified with a BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL) 14% Decline in Year 1 (over Baseline Year) 15% Decline in Year 2 (over Year 1) 15% Decline in Year 3 (over Year 2) 24% Decline in Year 4 (over Year 3) 28% Decline in Year 5 (over Year 4)

7. The Bottom Line (2) From 467 New Cases in FY08 To 181 New Cases in FY13 ( ≥ 5 µg/dL )

8. The Bottom Line (3) From 68 New Cases in FY08 To 26 New Cases in FY13 ( ≥ 10 µg/dL )

9. The Bottom Line (4)

10. How We Overcame the Odds • Vocal Advocates • Personnel Decisions • Health-Protective Lead Law • Ruthless Enforcement • Personnel Advocacy • Smart Bets

11. Vocal Advocates

12. Vocal Advocates • DC Lead Elimination and Healthy Homes Advisory Committee • DC Lead Advocates Taskforce • Missing: Mobilized DC Parent Group

13. Audience Experience ? Role of Advocates Where You Live How Best to Mobilize Parents

14. Working with Advocates • Risks: • Blurring Lines • Going Rogue • Weighing Ethical Considerations • Trust is Key: Must be 2-Way

15. Let the Chips Fall Where They May

16. Odds Are it’s a Safe Bet

17. Personnel Decisions

18. Personnel Decisions • Analyze Staff Strengths and Weaknesses, Shift Assignments Accordingly • Make Needs Known to Agency Leadership

19. Personnel Decisions • Work with HR to Achieve Goals • Capitalize on Advocate Allies • Progress Will Be Incremental • Keep Your Eye on the Prize

20. Audience Experience ? Shifting Staff Responsibilities Working with HR and with Unions

21. Personnel Decisions • Risks: • Anxious Staff • Union Pushback • Rewards: • Fresh Start, Energized/Motivated Staff

22. Health-Protective Lead Law

23. Health-Protective Lead Law • Incorporates RRP • Lead Safety at Unit Turnover • Requires Renovation Permit • Empowers Enforcement

24. Audience Experience ? State of Your Lead Law Fulfilling Your Wish List

25. Health-Protective Lead Law • Help from Advocates • Solid Data • Staff Ready

26. Ruthless Enforcement

27. Ruthless Enforcement • Well Versed in the Regulations • Daily Missions • Zero Tolerance • No More Excuses

28. Audience Experience ? Enforceable Law Compliance Assistance v. Enf’t

29. Ruthless Enforcement Requires: • Rigorous Training • Dedicated Staff • All Necessary Tools

30. Personnel Revisited • Identify Needs • Use Data to Secure Help

31. Play Your Cards Right!

32. All-Star Staff

33. DC’s All-Star Staff • 7 Case Managers, including 2 Registered Nurses, 2 MPHs, and a bilingual MD • Trained as Healthy Homes Specialists • Trained as Asthma Educators • 7 Field Inspectors / Risk Assessors • Trained as Abatement Supervisors • Trained as Lead Project Designers • Epidemiologist (MPH)

34. Smart Bets • Work with Sister Agencies • Reach out to Your Key Audiences

35. Smart Bets Be Proactive • Letters to Property Managers • Create and Fill Housing Database • Recruit Community Activists • Focus on Eyesores

36. Everyone’s a Winner!

37. Especially the Kids…