Research has shown us lead can seriously harm a child’s health and cause well-documented adverse effects such as damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth, development, learning and behavior, hearing and speech problems. Ensuring Pennsylvania infants and toddlers are not harmed by lead hazards, the prenatal-to-age-three work focuses on increasing lead testing in children before age 2, connecting children who test positive to lead to resources such as early intervention, and enabling state investments for lead remediation.
Policy Priorities
- Improve Medicaid and CHIP managed care adherence to the EPSDT required schedule of lead testing, including removing barriers to getting capillary tests.
- Create a regulatory or legal requirement that every child tested for exposure is referred to early intervention for services.
- Advocate for state funding for lead paint remediation, including the utilization of Heath Service Initiatives and paint tax money.
Lead-Free Promise Project
The Lead-Free Promise Project initiative of Thriving PA is a coalition of more than 30 organizations working to end lead paint poisoning in Pennsylvania. Health care, health insurance, housing, social service, education, business, civic, and community organizations can support the Lead-Free Promise Project by joining the coalition.