April 23rd, 2025

Increasing Community Capacity: How Rural Communities Are Impacting Lead Poisoning Prevention, Part 3

by Ashely Campbell

This is the third installment in a three-part blog series. Read parts one and two.

In our previous blogs (here and here), we discussed the 2023 Lead Poisoning Prevention Mini Grants, highlighted the need for funding, and showcased the grantee’s accomplishments. In this installment, we’ll take a closer look at the challenges and successes of dynamic rural grantees, the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, Thoughts Before Actions, and Young, Gifted & Green.

The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, Cleveland, Ohio
The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition (NEOBHC) used their semi-finalist award to purchase a Sciaps XRF machine and obtain training in using it for organization staff. The Sciaps XRF will allow the organization to host soil shops and test soil for lead in the community without having to rely on borrowing a machine and staff support from EPA Region 5. With this new resource, NEOBHC was able to conduct screenings at two health fairs. Moving forward, NEOBHC is planning a strategy for increased screening events and investigating funding for additional training.

Thoughts Before Actions, St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana 
Thoughts Before Actions (TBA) took a hands-on approach to education by engaging middle and high school students on a lead testing project. Through this project, students became scientists in the making by testing water and soil in their schools and communities. With funding from the project, TBA secured lead testing kits and electronic tablets. They worked with two classes, providing science teachers with a lesson plan and funding to support students in the collection of water and soil samples from the schools and the community. TBA’s goal was to have students review and present the findings to decision-makers in the community. During implementation, TBA observed enthusiasm from both the students and the community, with the school district inviting one of the classes to test an additional site (one of the oldest in the vicinity). This project raised awareness and empowered the next generation to be involved in the health and safety of their community.

Young, Gifted & Green, Memphis, Tennessee 
Centered on a desire to raise awareness and advocate for policy change, Young, Gifted & Green developed a coalition to build community capacity; established positive partnerships between community leaders, local officials, and government agencies; and drafted public policies aimed at reducing lead exposure. A key component of their initiative was the development of a community-driven bill, the Lead-Free Tennessee Bill of Rights, which was set to be introduced as a state bill. While this work was still in progress at the conclusion of the project, Young, Gifted & Green made significant strides in drafting this policy framework; if passed, this bill will be the first of its kind to address lead poisoning at the local and state levels.

To execute the activities of this project, the team had to learn and navigate the local political landscape to build support and create a sustainable framework for addressing lead poisoning in the city, county, and state, positioning their efforts for lasting impact.

Young, Gifted & Green prioritized community engagement and collaboration, expanding their outreach to Jackson, Tennessee. At the core of Young, Gifted & Green’s activities was community engagement through site visits, community meetings, and by developing a coalition of nine members dedicated to addressing lead hazards in the community. They also held “Shop Talks”—local discussions in community barbershops about lead risks, testing, and prevention—ensuring that the message reached community members where they felt most comfortable. Young, Gifted & Green raised awareness by first building trust within the community, which will create lasting impact.

Final Thoughts

Through the Increasing Rural Community Capacity for Lead Poisoning Prevention mini-grants, these grantees implemented sustainable system-level policies and programs and achieved cross-sector partnerships. Their efforts emphasize the unique challenges and needs of rural communities while showcasing the potential they have when equipped with the appropriate resources and support.

It is evident from the success of these grantees that increasing accessibility to funding streams really do pay off in increasing the spectrum of funded communities! With increased access to resources, support, and funding, rural communities can implement meaningful change. Ultimately, rural communities are capable and resilient. They should never be left out of the conversation. instead they must remain a part of the vision for healthier homes.

NCHH Resources

For more information about this project or health in rural communities, consider these resources from NCHH and its partner organizations.

Sarah Goodwin also contributed to this blog.

 

Ashely Campbell, MPH, CHES, Public Health Analyst, joined the National Center for Healthy Housing in October 2022. A former summer policy intern with NCHH, she holds a Master of Public Health degree from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ashely has a passion for helping others, particularly with improving their health and the health of their communities, schools, workplaces, and more; she does so by addressing social determinants of health, health equity, and disparities. Ashely earned her Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential in 2023.

April 23rd, 2025 | Posted By | Posted in Blog