Initiative To Provide Enhanced Lead Testing, Abatement
The Indiana Family And Social Services Agency says it made a "number of enhancements" to the new contracts during negotiations.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana will now be able to provide lead testing, prevention and abatement services to low income Hoosiers.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration received federal approval to use up to $3 million annually over the next five years to establish a new health services initiative that will focus on lead testing and abatement primarily in East Chicago, South Bend and other areas in the state identified as high-risk for lead exposure.
“Lead exposure can affect a child’s overall development,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box. “We hope that through this funding we can significantly increase our testing and abatement activities and provide hundreds of additional children a better path toward normal development.”
The initiative will be funded through the Children’s Health Insurance Program and provided by the Indiana State Department of Health’s Lead & Healthy Homes Division.
“We are pleased that our federal partners have approved this creative way to repurpose CHIP administrative funds to address crucial children’s public health concerns,” said Jennifer Walthall secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. “Children need healthy communities and healthy homes to have the best chance at a successful future.”
In a release from the FSSA, the funding is anticipated to cover the cost of testing and abatement for hundreds of homes per year as well as educating families and equipping physicians with information about lead exposure. The money is also expected to cover the retesting of homes that were previously inspected to ensure the effectiveness of the abatement work.
For more information visit: https://www.in.gov/fssa/ompp/2545.htm