Childhood lead program moves to DC Health's Environmental Health Administration; agency to focus on case management

The Committee discussed a Budget Support Act subtitle transferring the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program from the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to DC Health's new Environmental Health Administration (EHA).

Scope and ages: Chair Henderson asked whether DC Health will follow the existing Childhood Lead Poisoning Screening and Reporting Act (2002) definition of children under age 6. EHA deputy Arion Gibson confirmed the agency will focus on the highest-risk group (under 6) and will also include pregnant women in its case management approach.

Division of responsibilities: DC Health made clear that DOEE will retain responsibility for source- and building-related enforcement and fines, while EHA will manage screening follow-up, case management and public-health interventions. "DOE still retains the fines and penalties. We are the case management portion of it," Gibson said.

Screening and reporting: Committee members asked how DC Health will ensure pediatrician offices and other providers comply with screening obligations. The agency said EHA will leverage stronger provider relationships, use public-health nurses and expand outreach to ensure higher screening rates and follow-up testing when exposures are suspected.

Ending: The committee asked for details about implementation timelines, data-sharing and how the agencies will coordinate inspections and enforcement with case-management follow-up. DC Health said it will add elements to the program to improve family outreach and case navigation.