Kaptur, Junction Coalition Announce $600,000 CDC Grant Award to Combat Lead Poisoning in Toledo
Toledo, OH – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its Child Lead Poisoning Prevention program, has awarded The Junction Coalition a $600,000 grant, spanning over a three-year period, to help reduce lead poisoning in the Toledo community.
“Today we announced $600,000 in funding to The Junction Coalition to spur on community engagement, educational programming, and ultimately reduce and prevent lead exposure in Toledo. The Center for Disease Control’s Child Lead Poisoning Prevention program supports critical drinking water infrastructure needs, including replacing toxic lead service lines. In Toledo, it will have profound benefits to public health as it reaches among our most historic neighborhoods,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. “I am glad to have fought alongside our local partners to bring this funding home, and I will continue to support them in their efforts and work to bring more funding home across our region of NW Ohio.”
Lead exposure and lead poisoning remain chronic health risks to Ohio children who live in homes where they are exposed to lead paint. According to The Toledo Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition, the Toledo community has inherited a large, toxic legacy of lead paint exposure due to most of Toledo’s housing stock being built before 1978.
Every year, thousands of Toledo children test high for lead in their blood, a value of 3.5 µg/dL or greater. There is no safe level of lead in the bloodstream. 3.5 µg/dL represents the highest 2.5% of children ages 1-5 in the entire U.S. population. The CDC’s grant, provided by the National Center for Environmental Health’s Lead Poisoning Prevention and Surveillance Branch, was established to help families avoid the dangers of lead in their homes.
The Junction Coalition is one of 11 organizations in the United States, and the only organization in the State of Ohio, to receive this grant. The Junction Coalition and other recipients will work diligently to help families shield themselves from the hazards of lead contamination within their homes. This mission will be pursued through an array of initiatives, including community engagement, prevention education and invaluable family support.
“We are honored to be among the distinguished recipients of this grant, a testament to our unwavering commitment to the welfare of Toledo's residents,” said Alicia Smith, executive director, The Junction Coalition. “This funding will empower The Junction Coalition to make a lasting impact in Toledo, supporting those most vulnerable to the dangers of lead poisoning.”
This three-year, community-based grant supports organizations to:
- Collaborate with partners from various sectors.
- Expand access to resources and services for families and children.
- Augment knowledge and skills related to lead poisoning prevention.
- Raise awareness within the community about the risks associated with lead exposure and the disparities in blood lead levels, particularly as influenced by factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geography.
The Junction Coalition, together with partner organizations — including Nationwide Children’s Hospital - Toledo, Neighborhood Health Association, Toledo Fair Housing Center, the Toledo Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition and others — will work to raise awareness and combat lead poisoning in the Toledo community.
“Nationwide Children’s - Toledo is proud to partner with The Junction Coalition to bring these federal funds to Toledo neighborhoods,” said Angela Mingo, vice president, Development and Corporate Affairs, Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “The health of our children and families and the homes where they reside are closely connected. As a health care organization, specifically a children’s hospital in northwest Ohio, we are committed to improving the lives of children in our hospital and in our community. We look forward to working with The Junction Coalition and many others to expand lead education outreach and increase access to resources and services.”
“The Toledo Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition will work together with all individuals, corporations and organizations in our community to educate and share information about the prevention of lead poisoning,” said Juanita Greene, Co-chair, The Toledo Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition. “It takes a village to save our children from lead poisoning and we are proud to work with The Junction Coalition and partners on this mission.”
ABOUT THE JUNCTION COALITION
The Junction Coalition is a non-profit, grassroots organization located in the Junction community of Toledo, Ohio providing a viable voice to its neighbors. The Junction Coalition seeks to promote healthy relationships with local, state, and federal government to build a better quality of life for community members and for business owners who benefit the Junction community.
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