Lancaster General Hospital, part of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, is pleased to announce that they are the recipients of a nearly $2 million federal grant to support and enhance the services provided by LG Health’s Lead-Free Families program. Lead-Free Families works to significantly reduce childhood lead poisoning in Lancaster County.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in January awarded nearly $104.7 million to 60 nonprofit organizations and government agencies to protect children and families from lead and other health hazards in the home. LG Health is one of three grant recipients in Pennsylvania and one of two health systems nationally to receive the funding, which will be used to enhance the services offered through LG Health’s Lead-Free Families program.
Lead-Free Families, which began in August 2021, identifies and remediates lead hazards in local homes. HUD’s Healthy Homes Production Grant Program awarded LG Health $1,999,155.06, which will fund mitigation of additional health hazards in the homes of 150 low-income families throughout Lancaster County.
“Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is very grateful to receive this significant federal grant to enhance the critical efforts of our Lead-Free Families program,” said Alice Yoder, LG Health Executive Director of Community Health. “This funding will enable us to address additional health and safety hazards that are found in local homes during lead remediation.”
Lead-Free Families focuses on increasing awareness and reducing childhood lead poisoning in Lancaster County, which has the fourth-highest rate of lead poisoning in Pennsylvania. Lead-Free Families also works to address additional health hazards found in homes, including mold and radon issues, and risks for falls, fires and burn injuries.
Lead-Free Families will identify and remediate lead hazards in at least 2,800 Lancaster County homes over the next decade. With a $50 million investment by LG Health, the comprehensive program is the first of its kind in the United States to be initially funded and led by a health system.
Lead poisoning – which has no obvious symptoms -- can result in serious, lifelong health and developmental issues in young children. The program prioritizes interventions in the homes of families with children under the age of 6 and/or pregnant women.
In addition to in-home lead testing and remediation, Lead-Free Families provides increased blood lead screenings for children and expectant mothers. The program also offers home visits with health-care and social service support; community education and outreach; and public policy advocacy and education.
For more information on Lead-Free Families, or to apply for the program, visit LeadFreeFamilies.org, or call 717-544-LEAD (5323)
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marcie Brody
Marcie.brody@pennmedicine.upenn.edu