COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

 

DATE:

October 27, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 15, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department
Brian Zamora, Director, Public Health & Environmental Protection Division

 

SUBJECT:

Agreement with the State Department of Health Services for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with the State Department of Health Services to provide funding for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for FY 2005-08 in the amount of $634,724

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goal 6: Children grow up healthy in safe and supportive homes and neighborhoods

 

This agreement contributes to the goal by providing funding to support activities to reduce the incidence of childhood lead poisoning within San Mateo County.

 

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Blood test results received

4,600

4,800

Children with elevated blood lead levels requiring case management

97

95

Percentage of case-managed children who show a decrease in blood lead levels

80%

80%

Number of families, children and providers who received outreach and education

6,480

7,100

 

BACKGROUND:

Lead poisoning in children remains a major preventable public health problem. In San Mateo County, there are close to 55,000 homes with lead-based paint. Some sources of childhood lead poisoning in the county include: lead paint in homes; ceramic pottery with lead glazes; lead in candies; home remedies that include lead; and lead dust that is brought home from industries where lead is present. Additionally, there are a number of children who arrive from another country who display elevated blood lead levels (BLL).

 

Slight elevations in BLL can result in disruptions of growth and development, cause behavioral problems and affect every body organ of young children. Children are particularly vulnerable because their small bodies absorb more lead, and the lead is excreted slowly from their systems. There are no symptoms and the only way to tell if a child is poisoned is through a blood lead test.

 

Local health departments receive funds to assure that children are screened for lead poisoning. Since January 1992, Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) providers have been required to screen children aged six months to six years for the risk of lead poisoning. Children eligible for Medi-Cal, CHDP, Healthy Families, or Women, Infants and Children should have a blood test at age 12 months and again at 24 months of age.

 

DISCUSSION:

Since 1993, the State Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) has awarded funding to local health departments to support the costs of home investigations, case management, surveillance, tracking, and community outreach and education. CLPPP supports screening and testing by providing education and outreach to medical and service providers who target low income families with young children and their parents/guardians. Additionally, CLPPP provides case management and tracking of children with elevated blood levels, surveillance on sources, and information and referrals for all county residents.

 

When a case of lead poisoning is identified, home visits are made with a Registered Environmental Health Specialist, a Public Health Nurse, and a Community Worker. This team is essential to tracking the source of a child’s lead poisoning.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total amount of the agreement is $634,724 for the term of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008. $222,346 has been included in the approved budget for FY 2005-06; the remaining balance will be included in future budget requests. There is no net County cost for this program.