Reading schedules free finger‑stick lead testing for children; Healthy Homes grant to start taking applicants

The Reading Board of Health discussed a Department of Health–funded lead testing event planned for Feb. 22 that will offer finger‑stick lead tests for children at the city Public Works facility and, later, at libraries and recreation centers.

Gerald, who said he connected the board with the Department of Health, described the effort as grant‑funded and said the team was primarily looking for locations and ways to reach families. “They were more or less just looking for a location,” Gerald said. He said the testing is being organized as a recurring community service and that the board’s social‑media channels and city council accounts will share event details.

Officials told the board the test uses a capillary (finger‑stick) sample; Gerald said, “It’s they’re just doing the fingers the finger stick capillary,” and that children with elevated results would be referred to their family physicians for follow‑up. Board members discussed outreach options including the city’s social accounts and the local paper, the Reading Eagle.

Separately, Gerald reported that the Healthy Homes production grant is readying to accept applicants and that the program has produced 48 units to date across the board’s local programs. He said staff will provide application details when the grant opens.

No formal vote or policy change was taken; the board asked staff to continue coordinating locations and outreach for the testing events and to share public‑facing notices when available.