Record Breaking 8th Annual Lead-Education Day!

Our annual lead education day at the Michigan State Capitol was a record-breaking success! Over 100 participants traveled from all over the state to gather and rally support from our legislators to end lead poisoning in Michigan. This event is annually coordinated by MIALSH and our allies at Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) and we are proud to share that this year's efforts far exceeded our expectations. 

The day unfolded as 18 teams of 3-5 advocates took the State Capitol by storm as we met with nearly 90 state legislative offices in attempts to inform and promote more effective lead laws in Michigan. To supplement our efforts beyond the 90 sit-down conversations with lawmakers and their staff members, we diligently delivered to all 38 State Senate and 110 State House offices a comprehensive packet of thoughtful material summarizing the latest science on lead poisoning and prevention strategies. 

Lead Education Day participants represented many disciplines and walks of life- justice and environmental health advocates, state and local public officials, lead testing and abatement professionals, parents and even children. We purposely crafted each team to include a parent who could share a personal story of their experience and devastation with lead poisoning in their homes & communities. 

Special thanks are needed to be given to one of our top MIALASH partners-Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan- and the Grand Rapids parents who networked through many channels to assemble a busload of participants for the event. Their efforts and attendance gave Lead Education Day 2018 a powerful West Michigan voice that certainly made a difference. 

It must be noted that the most impressive and robust element of this event was the teamwork that fueled it. Reynolds displayed admirable organizational force along with several MIALSH members and MEC staff whos major contributions to logistics and preparation made Lead Education Day 2018 a remarkable success. As an intern for MEC and first-time Lead Ed Day participant, I can say that it was exhilarating to see such a diverse group of people band together to fight for a common cause and I felt empowered as I stood in the offices of my state representatives with a head full of knowledge and a heart full of hope. Days prior to the event I had become exhausted with the horrific stories of lead-poisoning and this feeling fueled my desire to make a difference. 

Lead Education Day is an impactful and meaningful form of community engagement and we believe its influence will ripple through the Capitol and bring forth long-lasting, positive change for Michigan. Cheers to teamwork!

Undergraduate Student Experience at 5th Annual Lead Education Day

"This year I joined the Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Home’s annual Lead Education Day. This was an amazing opportunity to advocate for the families impacted by lead poisoning and civically engage on an important issue. This was my first time speaking to legislators and I must say that this was an experience to remember. A few weeks prior to the event volunteers participated in an online webinar to prepare them for the big day at the capitol so they felt comfortable speaking to policy makers. I built my knowledge on lead poisoning and policy information as well as learning about the influence that certain legislators have based on what committee they are apart of. People came from diverse fields and geographical regions to volunteer at  this event and as a result I was also able to network with other professionals who are passionate about this public health issue.When Lead Education Day arrived we broke into small groups and met with 4-5 legislators and informed them on what important steps they could take to help the families impacted by lead poisoning. Being an undergraduate student, this is an opportunity that I am very fortunate to have. This was an invaluable experience and I look forward to continuing my work with MIALSH!"

Watch our 2016 Lead Education Day Training Webinar

Will you be attending our 5th annual Lead Education Day on Wednesday, March 2? If so, watch this video of our training webinar. It has important information about the day's events, our talking points, and what to expect when meeting with legislators. It's a great tool for both seasoned and new attendees!

You can also download the file of the presentation: 2016 MIALSH Lead Education Day Training Presentation.

Join Us for Our Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Homes (MIALSH) Annual Lead Education Day

          

                                        

When:  March 2^nd 2016 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Lansing

What:  Break into teams to talk to your lawmakers about MIALSH and lead    

poisoning prevention in Michigan. Network, lunch and learn!

Please RSVP HERE.  Any questions please contact tina@environmentalcouncil.org.

Carpools are being arranged so please inquire if you are interested.

Those who register will receive more details and materials close to time.

October 25-31, 2015 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

October 25-31st is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and was kicked off by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). States like Michigan participate and help elevate awareness during this week to reach as many families as possible. Fall is a prime time to find high lead levels in a child. Summer months of playing in the yard around older homes along with open windows and doors with compromised lead paint increases the chance for lead exposure. Doctors appointments in the fall associated with "back to school" and ill child visits, can uncover this lead exposure so fall is a typical time we see spikes in lead blood levels. The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program shared a 2015 Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Toolkit. Click here to visit their website and download it.

Join Us for Lead Education Day on March 4, 2015

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Lead poisoning prevention education and outreach; meeting with key House and Senate members; networking and helping to identify future legislative champions on our issue.

• Carpools available, so bring a friend or two!
• Free bagels and coffee for breakfast and lunch as well
• Everyone is welcome

Come tell your story!

Click here to RSVP online 

Questions?

Contact Tina Reynolds, Health Policy Director
Michigan Environmental Council
tina@environmentalcouncil.org

Staging area and agenda will be available soon to those who RSVP!

Tina Reynolds Presents at MPSC Energy Optimization Collaborative on 10/15/13

Tina was invited to this meeting to present on lead poisoning prevention and to discuss the FY 2013-2014 boilerplate that directs the MPSC (Michigan Public Service Commission) to work with the DCH (Department of Community Health) to pool funding for replacing windows in homes that are in need of lead abatement with energy efficiency/weatherization dollars.

A great, productive discussion was had and Tina fielded many questions from DTE, Consumers Energy, municipal providers, co-ops, energy contractors, community action agencies and others.

As of right now it's not clear if there are resources within the energy efficiency community to help with lead paint remediation, but the dialogue among groups will certainly continue.

Michigan Department of Community Health host 2013 Lead Abatement Contractor, Risk Assessor, and Trainer Workshop



Michigan Environmental Council's Tina Reynolds & Kim Rustem
recruiting new members to join the MIALSH Coalition

Tina was invited to this meeting to present on lead poisoning prevention and to discuss the FY 2013-2014 boilerplate that directs the MPSC (Michigan Public Service Commission) to work with the DCH (Department of Community Health) to pool funding for replacing windows in homes that are in need of lead abatement with energy efficiency/weatherization dollars. A great, productive discussion was had and Tina fielded many questions from DTE, Consumers Energy, Municipal providers, co-ops, energy contractors, community action agencies and others . As of right now it's not clear if there are resources within the energy efficiency community to help with lead paint remediation, but the dialogue among groups will certainly continue.