LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it will award more than $6.5 million in grants to help expand residential lead hazard control services to eligible households with a Medicaid-enrolled resident.
“We must be proactive in making sure lead hazards are removed from homes,” MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said. “These funds allow communities to prevent further lead exposure for our children who are at highest risk.”
According to an official press release, funding for the services will be provided through Michigan’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Grants of up to $1.5 million were available for qualifying cities, counties or consortiums to provide lead hazard control services.
In the Western Michigan area, awarded grantees include the City of Battle Creek, which will receive $1,300,000 in funding.
Services that will be made available for funding under this initiative include, but are not limited to, the following efforts:
- Lead inspection, risk assessment and/or elevated blood lead investigation activities to determine the presence of lead hazards.
- Permanent removal, enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint and lead dust hazards for eligible residences.
- Removal or covering of soil lead hazards up to eligible residence property lines.
- Minimal rehabilitation to help sustain the lead abatement work.
- Removal of pre-2014 faucets and fixtures used for human consumption, plumbing and/or service lines deemed to be a lead hazard.
- Temporary relocation of residents during lead abatement activities.
- Building local capacity to safely and effectively abate lead hazards.
Activities must be completed by Sept. 30, 2020.
