National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2016 Recap
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2016 launched on Monday, October 24th, 2016 with a press conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Moderated by Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, President & CEO, Ruth Ann Norton, with Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Larry Hogan; Carol Bryant Payne, Field Office Director, Housing and Urban Development; Dr. Howard Haft Deputy Secretary for Public Health, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Ben H. Grumbles, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment; Kenneth C. Holt, Secretary of Maryland Housing & Community Development; and Kristin Rzeczkowski, Chief of Staff, Baltimore City Health Department.
During the press conference at Liberty Elementary School GHHI’s Derek the dinosaur and The Maryland Book Bank distributed free books from the official Ravens Bookmobile where over 200 students received free books.
GHHI hosted a twitter chat featuring HUD Secretary Castro and GHHI, President & CEO, Ruth Ann Norton. Utilizing #LeadFreeChat the conversation addressed lead poisoning prevention and resulted in enthusiastic engagement from communities and partners with over 1.3 million impressions. Additionally, President and CEO, Ruth Ann Norton presented GHHI’s Strategic Plan to End Childhood Lead Poisoning – A Five Year Blueprint for Action via live webinar.
GHHI experts visited classrooms throughout the entire week to teach students about lead poisoning prevention and executed events to build awareness. Derek the Dinosaur went on his annual school tour and visited over 200 kids teaching them about lead poisoning prevention.
GHHI partnered with the EPA, Morgan State University and Baltimore City to provide a free community fair with free trainings, food trucks, fire trucks, fun activities and lots of great services and resources available to Baltimore residents.