TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary agreements, and any subsequent amendments, between the City of Long Beach and the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in an amount not to exceed $764,376 to continue the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (CLPP) Program to reduce the incidence of childhood lead exposure in Long Beach for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2018. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 2002, the California State Department of Health Services has allocated funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to administer the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (CLPP) program. The primary goal of the CLPP program is to prevent lead poisoning in children under the age of six years through outreach to the community including parents, teachers, caregivers, physicians, neighbors and friends. The secondary goal is to ensure that children with lead poisoning are followed by a physician and live in a lead-safe environment, through case management by a Public Health Nurse and inspections by a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around homes, and was banned for use in paint in 1978 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An elevated blood lead level in a child is defined as five or more micrograms of lead in a deciliter of blood. Lead poisoning is primarily a problem for children under the age of six, both because they tend to be more "auto-oral exploratory" (i.e., they put more things in their mouths) than older children and adults, and because children exhibit more pronounced health symptoms than adults at the same blood lead level. In addition, lead poisoning is particularly troubling in young children because the neurobehavioral problems caused by low levels of lead exposure at this age can be permanent; they do not necessarily recede when the exposure to lead ends.
Screening for lead poisoning has become much more comprehensive and the average blood lead level in both adults and children has dropped significantly. To date, the CLPP program has provided case management to 576 children with elevated blood lead levels; staff has attended over 160 outreach events including health fairs and community events with 9,364 people reached; and delivered over 600 presentations to healthcare providers, childcare providers, and community groups with over 4,800 individuals reached. The number of childhood lead poisonings among children continues to decline for Long Beach. However, continued education and case management is critical, as 85 percent of the housing stock in Long Beach was built before 1978. The City of Long Beach 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan notes that an estimated 46,500 units occupied by low and moderate income households may contain a lead hazard.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on September 13, 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 17, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on October 8, 2013, in order to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant revenues of $764,376 for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2018 with an annual funding amount of $191,094. Sufficient funds have been included in of the FY14 budget. Subsequent years' allocations will be processed as a part of that year's annual budget process. There is no City match, and no local job impact associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER