The assistance agreement provides funds to the virginia department of health (VDH) to implement a program of voluntary testing for lead in drinking water at local schools and child care centers

Activities:the activities include: (1) collaborating with key partners to offer educational and communication materials concerning lead risks and testing as well as notification of and response to sample results; (2) providing technical assistance and training to guide prioritized schools and child care centers throughout the implementation process; (3) ensuring schools and child care centers develop sample site plans, sample according to guidance, manage sample results and track remediation activities using a data portal; (4) assisting schools and child care centers in developing a plan for responding to test results and managing potential elevated lead levels where necessary (recommending remediations where lead results exceed 10 parts per billion); and (5) assisting in developing remediation plans and coordinating associated post remediation sampling and monitoring to ensure effectiveness of remediations. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:anticipated deliverables include: (1) using EPA's 3TS for reducing lead in drinking water guidance; (2) implementing lead testing in drinking water in schools and childcare facilities; (3) prioritizing and targeting vulnerable communities and population based on the following criteria (a) schools and child care programs in underserved and/or low-income communities with at least 50% of students receiving free or reduced cost meals; (B) elementary and child care programs that primarily serve children 6 years and under; (C) facilities built before 1985 that are more likely to contain lead plumbing or facilities with no prior lead sampling of fountains; (4) providing results of voluntary testing for lead levels to the public, including parents, teachers and other stakeholders; and (5) establishing routine practices such as those outlined in the 3TS guidance. Expected outcomes include: (1) implementation of a lead testing program using the 3TS toolkit by schools and child care centers; (2) reduction of children's exposure to lead in drinking water; (3) improved school system and childcare facilities' knowledge on lead in drinking water; (4) improved water quality by reducing lead exposure; and (5) established capacity for schools and child care centers to perform ongoing testing and education as IT relates to the 3TS guidance. Intended beneficiaries include residents of the commonwealth of virginia, especially families with young children at daycare centers or schools.