Beating the Odds:Eliminating Lead

Exposure for Kids in the Nation’s Capital

Handicapping the Odds

Old Housing

+ Poverty

=

Losing Bet

The DC Baseline

October 1, 2007 – September 30, 2008

13,608 Children Tested

467 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL(3.43% of those tested)

Against All Odds10/1/07 – 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 Tested457 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (2.96% of those tested)

10/1/09 – 9/30/10: 16,273 Children Tested412 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (2.53% of those tested)

10/1/10 – 9/30/11: 15,822 Children Tested341 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (2.16% of those tested)

10/1/11 – 9/30/12: 16,103 Children Tested265 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (1.65% of those tested)

10/1/12 – 9/30/13: 15,257 Children Tested181 New Cases ≥ 5 µg/dL (1.19% of those tested)

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)

The Bottom Line (2)

From 467 New Cases in FY08

To181 New Cases in FY13

( ≥ 5 µg/dL )

The Bottom Line (3)

From 68 New Cases in FY08

To26 New Cases in FY13

( ≥ 10 µg/dL )

The Bottom Line (4)

How We Overcame the Odds

• Vocal Advocates• Personnel Decisions• Health-Protective Lead Law• Ruthless Enforcement• Personnel Advocacy• Smart Bets

Vocal Advocates

Vocal Advocates

• DC Lead Elimination and Healthy Homes Advisory Committee

• DC Lead Advocates Taskforce

• Missing: Mobilized DC Parent Group

Audience Experience ?

Role of Advocates Where You Live

How Best to Mobilize Parents

Working with Advocates

• Risks:Blurring LinesGoing RogueWeighing Ethical Considerations

• Trust is Key: Must be 2-Way

Let the Chips Fall Where They May

Odds Are it’s a Safe Bet

Personnel Decisions

Personnel Decisions

• Analyze Staff Strengths and Weaknesses, Shift Assignments Accordingly

• Make Needs Known to Agency Leadership

Personnel Decisions

• Work with HR to Achieve Goals

• Capitalize on Advocate Allies

• Progress Will Be Incremental

• Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Audience Experience ?

Shifting Staff Responsibilities

Working with HR and with Unions

Personnel Decisions

• Risks:Anxious StaffUnion Pushback

• Rewards:Fresh Start, Energized/Motivated Staff

Health-Protective Lead Law

Health-Protective Lead Law

• Incorporates RRP

• Lead Safety at Unit Turnover

• Requires Renovation Permit

• Empowers Enforcement

Audience Experience ?

State of Your Lead Law

Fulfilling Your Wish List

Health-Protective Lead Law

• Help from Advocates

• Solid Data

• Staff Ready

Ruthless Enforcement

Ruthless Enforcement

• Well Versed in the Regulations

• Daily Missions

• Zero Tolerance

• No More Excuses

Audience Experience ?

Enforceable Law

Compliance Assistance v. Enf’t

Ruthless EnforcementRequires:

•Rigorous Training

•Dedicated Staff

•All Necessary Tools

Personnel Revisited

• Identify Needs

• Use Data to Secure Help

Play Your Cards Right!

All-Star Staff

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)

Smart Bets

• Work with Sister Agencies

• Reach out to Your Key Audiences

Smart Bets

Be Proactive

Letters to Property Managers

Create and Fill Housing Database

Recruit Community Activists

Focus on Eyesores

Everyone’s a Winner!

Especially the Kids…