Children in New Orleans have blood-lead levels three times higher than children in Flint, Michigan. Lead in New Orleans drinking water is a crisis in our city with aging water pipes and the slow replacement of lead service lines. This grant will support our local efforts to build capacity and advance evidence-based lead poisoning prevention efforts through policy and systems change.
SUN was recently awarded one of nine 2019 Lead Poisoning Prevention Grants as part of the National Center for Healthy Housing’s Equipping Communities for Action initiative. As one of the selected awardees under this initiative, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with additional support from The New York Community Trust, SUN will receive 18 months of coaching and support including access to national experts, engagement in a peer learning network, a customized analysis calculating the cost of childhood lead exposure and the economic benefits of interventions, and a $25,000 grant.
Partners supporting the initiative and enhancing guidance related to legal strategies, community leader engagement, cost analysis, and specific point sources of lead include representatives from Altarum, ChangeLab Solutions, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, and the National League of Cities.
The bundled award will help further our mission of eliminating childhood lead poisoning.
SUN works with the Louisiana Roundtable for the Environment to recommend policies around interventions for lead poisoning prevention. Current efforts include education and outreach around lead in our drinking water, contractor and homeowner education on safe lead work practices, social services to help support lead poisoned children and training residents in how to identify lead hazards in their home.
If you would like to join the Louisiana Roundtable for the Environment and participate in our efforts, please email director@southernunitedneighborhoods.org
Learn more about NCHH’s Equipping Communities for Action initiative and the 2019 Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant recipients. http://bit.ly/EquippingGrantees2019
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Southern United Neighborhoods (SUN) is a 501c3 public charity founded in March 2010 by low to moderate income people that uses research and training to combat the poverty, discrimination and community deterioration that keeps low income people from taking advantage of their rights and opportunities.
About the National Center for Healthy Housing:
The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) is the preeminent national nonprofit dedicated to securing healthy homes for all. Since 1992, NCHH has served as a highly regarded and credible change agent, successfully integrating healthy housing advocacy, research, and capacity building under one roof to reduce health disparities nationwide. Follow NCHH on Twitter (@nchh) or LinkedIn or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthyHousing.
