The proposed project, 'using a peer leadership model to ensure clean, green and healthy schools', builds on previously-funded successes and fits within massachusetts coalition on occupational safety…

The proposed project, 'using a peer leadership model to ensure clean, green and healthy schools', builds on previously-funded successes and fits within massachusetts coalition on occupational safety and health's mission of developing the capacity of low-income communities of color to achieve healthy environments in schools, at work and in neighborhoods. Consistent with the organization's approach, the project also engages impacted community members -youth of color, teachers, janitors. Parent sand others -as leaders in reducing environmental hazards and promoting healthy communities. The organization's staff and board reflect the community being served. As many as 25 youth from urban schools serve as peer leaders, with two current peer leaders an/or alumni serving on the board of directors. Key outputs include: in boston:1) training curriculum presented for 40-50 peer leaders and 10 adult ambassadors; 2) updated boston healthy schools resources on cleaning and disinfection for covid-19; 3) informal data collection and research on the impact of heat stress on 3-5 schools; 4) documentation of findings and asthma friendly actions taken in 3-5 schools; 5) documentation of policies updated and developed through the boston public school's district wellness committee. 6) findings and recommendations for incorporating environmental health factors into design and implementation decisions for building upgrades.activities:the goals of the project including the a description of the activities are:1) achieve measurable improvements in addressing asthma and adverse environmental health triggers(specifically poor indoor air quality and excessive heat), and enhancing capacity to address environmental health inequities in schools in high risk communities in boston; (2) engage youth and adult ambassadors in boston to influence city and school decision-makers about the importance of considering indoor air quality when making decisions about cleaning and disinfecting schools to ensure that school buildings are safe for students, teachers and staff with asthma and from covid-19: (3) advance emergency preparedness and ecosystem resilience through expanded understanding of the impact of heat stress on school environments and develop new strategies to reduce the impact of rising temperatures on students, teacher and staff.4) engage youth and adult ambassadors in boston to influence city and school decision-makers about the importance of considering indoor air quality and asthma when making decisions about how best to protect students and staff from covid-19, and decisions about building upgrades made possible by federal dollars being invested in schools as part of pandemic recovery; 3) build on previous successes in by engaging peer leader and adult ambassadors who take action to improve environmental conditions and asthma management in 5-10 schools in boston. Additionally, the project will magnify its impact by: a) increasing the number of youth and educators (100-125) reached and engaged through peer-led environmental health workshops at workshops, town halls and other public forums; and b) presenting and promoting model wellness policies and best practices for asthma-friendly and sustainable schools statewide through massachusetts asthma advocacy partnerships and other conferences and convenings.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:project deliverables and results: by the end of the project period, the project will have achieved the following measurable results: in boston 1) 40-50 youth peer leaders from boston gain the knowledge to become ambassadors in efforts to reduce asthma triggers (chemical cleaners and excessive heat)and promote school environmental health; 2) through environmental walk-throughs and other healthy school actions, youth peer leaders will contribute to the improvement of environmental health in 3-5 schools; 3) through youth-led workshops, peer leaders w