Green & Healthy Homes Initiative Kicks Off National Lead Prevention Campaign With Awards to Eliminate Lead Poisoning in the United States
For immediate release:
Wednesday, August 10, 2017
Contact: Morgan Williams Grogan
morgan.williams@berlinrosen.com, 202-836-9890
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative Kicks Off National Lead Prevention Campaign with Awards to Eliminate Lead Poisoning in the United States
Awardees will receive up to $25,000 in financial support and $10,000 in technical assistance to support programs to eradicate lead exposure and poisoning in their communities
BALTIMORE – Today, the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI), with support from The JPB Foundation and other partners, announced the GHHI Lead Poisoning Prevention Catalytic Award. This award will work to eradicate lead exposure by providing financial and programmatic support to organizations demonstrating excellence in the mission to end lead poisoning in their communities.
The award kicks off GHHI’s national Campaign to End Lead Poisoning. Built on GHHI’s Strategic Plan to End Childhood Lead Poisoning and working in collaboration with national and local leaders and organizations, GHHI will seek to rid the United States of the toxic legacy of lead.
“We know that we can end lead exposure entirely, but only if we refuse to see any progress lost. We cannot afford to roll back decades of work and put more children at risk,” said Ruth Ann Norton, CEO and President of GHHI. “Investing in lead poisoning prevention is both morally right and economically efficient. For every dollar we spend to stop lead poisoning, there can be a more than $200 return on investment. That’s why this award will support organizations that are leaders and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to eradicating lead across all communities.”
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, yet every year, 535,000 children under the age of six are poisoned by lead through water, paint, soil or other sources. Lead poisoning is one of the most devastating environmental health threats and robs children of their full potential by causing irreversible health problems, including cognitive and developmental damage. At the same time, it is costing U.S. taxpayers more than $50 billion annually.
GHHI is committed to ending lead exposure and poisoning once and for all. Founded in 1986 as Parents Against Lead, and later known as the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, GHHI has been a staunch advocate for healthy homes across the nation. GHHI is a national leader in the fight to end lead poisoning and has successfully helped to bring over $400 million in investment to communities across the country.
Applications for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Catalytic Award are open through September 30. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to racial and health equity and inclusion, evidenced based practices, leadership in the field, and the ability to scale their work. Award winners will receive up to $25,000 in financial support as well as to $10,000 in technical assistance.
For full details on award rules, please see the full Request for Information.
###
The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative is dedicated to breaking the link between unhealthy housing and unhealthy families. GHHI partners with communities, governments and nonprofits across the country to make sure that every family has a healthy, safe, and energy-efficient home.