Department of Public Health
   
About Us

Program Description

The Los Angeles County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) was established in 1991, as a result of the California legislature mandating the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) to develop and enact a standard of care for identifying and managing children with elevated blood lead levels. CLPPP, funded by the CDHS, is structurally placed under two Programs within Department of Public Health. The team of public health nurses, health educators, and epidemiology staff is under Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Programs; and the team of registered environmental health specialists is under Environmental Health. The two teams work closely together to ensure nursing and environmental case management and follow-up for lead-burdened children; to promote screening; and to carry out primary prevention, targeted outreach and education, and surveillance activities.

Vision

Healthy, lead-free environments for children

Mission Statement

To prevent the adverse impact of lead poisoning on the children of Los Angeles County by reducing the incidence of lead poisoning and providing a comprehensive response to support lead burdened children and their families.

Objectives

Minimize the number of children exposed to lead. Inform the public to enable them to protect children from lead exposures. Develop full capacity to track lead exposure countywide and to monitor the management of lead burdened children. Develop a strong infrastructure for preventing children's exposure to lead through partnerships with other government agencies, community-based organizations and the private sectors. Identify sources of lead and assist with effective and safe elimination of the sources. Maintain full compliance with federal and State statutory and regulatory requirement. Continue leadership through policy development and standard setting.

Case Management Unit

Public Health Nurses (PHN) assist the primary care provider with the identification, follow-up and management of lead poisoned children considered to be cases.

Once a child has been identified as a case, the PHN visits the child's home to provide: a general physical assessment of the child; family education on the effects and prevention of lead poisoning; and assistance with linking the family to any further health or social services.

Environmental Health Unit

The Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHS) is responsible for identifying any possible environmental lead hazards at the home of a lead poisoned child.

The REHS visits a lead poisoned child's environment and takes samples of the paint, dust, soil and water to determine if they contain lead levels above the regulatory standard. The REHS also interviews the family to see if other sources (such as lead remedies, imported candies, lead glazed pottery, painted toys, lead hobbies or take-home lead from a family member s work) may have caused or contributed to the child s poisoning.

The REHS informs the child's family of the lead hazards found and provides steps the family can take to reduce their child's exposure to these lead hazards.

If the paint, dust, soil, or water of the house contains lead levels above the standard, then a report is issued to the property owner requiring him/her to eliminate or contain the hazards. The REHS monitors the property and works with the owner until compliance is achieved. When necessary, the REHS will refer the case to the City/District Attorney to ensure timely compliance.

Epidemiology Unit

The Epidemiology Unit maintains a lead poisoning database, which includes demographic, geographic, laboratory and clinical information on all reported screenings, and identified cases throughout the County. The Epi staff plan, direct and evaluate original epidemiological studies, analyze lead poisoning data and respond to data requests from interested parties.

Health Education Unit

A wealth of information on lead and lead poisoning prevention is maintained by the Health Education Unit and is available to the community in several languages. Presentations, information booths and trainings are also provided upon request. A toll free hotline, 1-800-LA-4-LEAD, to answer questions or to give referrals regarding lead related issues is available to the public during regular working hours.

Healthcare Provider Education and Training Unit

The Training Unit provides educational materials designed to increase awareness regarding State regulations imposed responsibilities as a Healthcare Provider. Educational materials are intended to improve screening rates and enhance clinical case management follow-up for children exposed to Lead and children at- risk for Lead exposure is also presented. For an official summary of healthcare provider's responsibilities doing periodic health care assessments on children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years and two free CMEs on lead poisoning, go to http://ph.lacounty.gov/lead

Targeted Audience: Training is conducted in public and private hospitals, clinics, schools and community-based facilities. Information and education are provided to the general public, healthcare providers and community-based organization at the local level.

Courses Available:

Medical Grand Rounds, Nursing Grand Rounds, Lead Awareness & Fingerstick Initiative Training, Lead In Brief.

For registration forms and questions about course descriptions, objectives and schedules, contact the Healthcare Provider and Education Coordinator.
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/childlead/html/POpapers.html
The Los Angeles County Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) was established in 1991, as a result of the California legislature mandating the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) to develop and enact a standard of care for identifying and managing children with elevated blood lead levels. CLPPP, funded by the CDHS, is structurally placed under two Programs within Department of Public Health. The team of public health nurses, health educators, and epidemiology staff is under Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Programs; and the team of registered environmental health specialists is under Environmental Health. The two teams work closely together to ensure nursing and environmental case management and follow-up for lead-burdened children; to promote screening; and to carry out primary prevention, targeted outreach and education, and surveillance activities.


 
Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
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