Program Description
 The Merrimack Valley Lead Poisoning Prevention
Program (MVLPPP) was established in 1976, as a provider to the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP). Originally, the service area covered
Greater Lawrence communities. In 1979, the program expanded to Greater Haverhill and
Greater Lowell serving a total of twenty-three (23) communities with emphasis to the core
neighborhoods of Lawrence, Lowell, Haverhill and Methuen. The MVLPPP provides a full range
of preventive services to children and their families, and others with an interest in the
prevention of childhood lead poisoning. |
Program Components
Lead Screening
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Lead Screening is provided for children
under the age of six, Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 4:00
P.M.. A small amount of blood is taken from your child’s finger and tested for
lead. If the test is elevated, another test Case Management
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Case Management allows us to counsel parents with children under the age of six on how to reduce the risk of lead hazards. Community Health Workers provides each family with information on temporary ways to keep children safe from lead paint hazards, other sources of lead, the Massachusetts Lead Law, renovating safely, the importance of a well-balanced diet and lead screening. The Health Worker also initiates referrals to a variety of social services agencies. |
Environmental
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The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc., Lead Poisoning Prevention Program conducts lead inspections each year due to lead poisoning children referrals,board of health referrals and parental request. If GLLPPP conducts a lead inspection at a residential unit and violations are found the owner must remedy all violations within a certain time frame. Failure to do so will initiate court proceedings by the inspector assigned to the case. Under the law only deleading contractors licensed by the Department of Labor and Industries may engage in the removal, covering or replacement of known lead hazards, with the exception of certain low-risk abatement and containment work that may be performed by an owner or owner’s agent without a deleader’s license. Before such an owner or owner’s agent may perform low-risk abatement he/she must follow the necessary protocol to register with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) to obtain proper authorization. After the work is done, the lead inspector or risk assessor issues a Letter of Compliance or Letter of Interim Control. The owner must make sure there is no peeling paint anytime after getting a Letter of Compliance or Letter of Interim Control, and surfaces that were covered remain covered. The Massachusetts Lead Law and the Department of Public Health’s Regulations for Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control require that residential premises or dwelling units built before 1978 have lead paint violations either abated and contained for full compliance, when a child under the age of six lives in the residential premises or dwelling unit. |
Housing Specialist
| Investigate complaints against licensed lead inspectors and complaints of unauthorized deleading. Conduct disciplinary and educational responses to infractions in accordance with established Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) protocols. Conduct routine and targeted auditing of private lead inspection/risk assessments in accordance with CLPPP protocol to ensure the provision of high quality services to the public. Respond to request for technical assistance from local health departments, housing agencies, and code enforcement agencies. |
Healthy Homes Project
Community Health Workers will educate families about prevention methods
and help them make changes that can reduce the risks of :
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Eligibility Guidelines
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Children up to the age of six (6), service area: Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover, Andover, Lowell, Billerica, Merrimac, Salisbury, Amesbury, Newburyport, Groveland, Rowley, Chelmsford, Boxford, Georgetown, Tewksbury, Dracut, Westford, Tyngsborough, Dunstable, Newbury, West Newbury. |
Contact Information
Telephone:
(978)
681-4940
FAX:
(978) 681-4943
Postal address:
GLCAC, Inc.
Merrimack Valley Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
305 Essex
St. Lawrence
Lawrence,
MA 01840
Contact name:
Carmen
Torres, Program Director
Electronic mail:
General Information: lead@glcac.org