Project Grant 00A01228

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT IS TO AN ELIGIBLE STATE AGENCY TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM OF VOLUNTARY TESTING FOR LEAD IN DRINKING WATER AT LOCAL SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS. SPECIFICALLY, THE RECIPIENT WILL CONTRACT WITH 120 WATER TO FOCUS EFFORTS ON 1) COMMUNICATING RESULTS AND IMPORTANT LEAD INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND LARGER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM; 2) TRAINING FACILITIES ON THE RISKS OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER AND TESTING FOR LEAD; 3) TESTING FOR LEAD USING APPROPRIATE TESTING PROTOCOLS USING RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES; AND 4) TAKING ACTION BY DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO RESULTS OF TESTING CONDUCTED AND ADDRESSING POTENTIAL ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS. ACTIVITIES:ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (1) USE THE USEPA'S 3TS FOR REDUCING LEAD IN DRINKING WATER GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE STATE PROGRAM; (2) DEVELOPMENT OF A STATE LEAD TESTING IN DRINKING WATER IN SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT STRATEGY THAT SUPPORTS A ROBUST TRAINING, MONITORING, AND MAINTENANCE PLAN THAT PROTECTS CHILDREN FROM LEAD EXPOSURE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE; (3) PRIORITIZATION OF TESTING TO TARGET VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND POPULATIONS: SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN UNDERSERVED AND/OR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES; ELEMENTARY AND CHILD CARE PROGRAMS THAT PRIMARILY CARE FOR CHILDREN 6 YEARS AND UNDER; AND OLDER FACILITIES THAT ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONTAIN LEAD PLUMBING; (4) PROVIDING RESULTS OF ANY VOLUNTARY TESTING FOR LEAD CONTAMINATION IN SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE FACILITY DRINKING WATER CARRIED OUT USING GRANT FUNDS AND NOTIFYING PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE RESULTS; (5) DEVELOPING A REGULAR LEAD TESTING PROGRAM UNDER THE INITIATIVE; AND (6) ESTABLISHMENT OF ROUTINE PRACTICES SUCH AS THOSE OUTLINED IN THE 3TS GUIDANCE.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES INCLUDE QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL REPORTS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE THE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE (1) SCHOOLS OR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS UNABLE TO PAY FOR TESTING IMPLEMENTING A TESTING PROGRAM AND MITIGATING LEAD EXPOSURE BY UTILIZING THE 3TS TOOLKIT IN DETERMINING BEST ACTION TO TAKE FOR REMEDIATION; (2) THE REDUCTION OF CHILDREN'S EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN DRINKING WATER; (3) IMPROVEMENT OF STAFF AND COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE ON LEAD IN DRINKING WATER AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL HARMS; AND (4) WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND LEAD EXPOSURE REDUCTION IN DRINKING WATER. OTHER OUTCOMES INCLUDE: (1) FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL TO ALLOW FOR A MORE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES AND THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AMONG EXPERTS IN VARIOUS AREAS OF SCHOOL, CHILD CARE, UTILITY, AND HEALTH SECTORS; AND (2) THE ENHANCEMENT OF COMMUNITY, PARENT, AND TEACHER TRUST. STATE RESIDENTS ARE THE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROGRAM.