Chester health commissioner outlines lead-remediation progress and vaccine outreach

Dr. Kristen Motley, Chester’s commissioner of health, updated council on public-health programs and partnerships on Nov. 26, highlighting lead remediation, healthcare access and vaccination efforts.

Motley said the Chester Lead Task Force marked its first year with $1.3 million in grants to address lead in homes and to improve indoor air quality. The task force has reached more than 2,000 residents through education and hosted a lead expo that offered expert presentations, free lead testing and cleaning kits. She said about half of landlords who attended a recent meeting agreed to participate in enforcement of the city’s lead ordinance and that the health department is working with the Chester Water Authority on a lead-service-line inventory.

On healthcare access, Motley described a partnership called Together for Chester — a local consortium of nonprofits, government and health providers — that has organized resource fairs, made more than 150 successful referrals to new healthcare providers after Crozer closed, and recruited clinicians who provide house calls and telemedicine for residents with transportation challenges. Through community-based vaccination work the health department has administered nearly 200 vaccinations in locations including City Hall, Palmer House and local churches.

Motley said staff submitted a $3.5 million HUD grant application to advance lead remediation (a decision is pending) and invited residents to join volunteer efforts and host vaccine clinics; she provided a contact number for help connecting residents to services. 'We have a huge network of people who just stand by my side to help me get all the things done,' Motley said.

Council members praised the commissioner’s work and noted plans to continue advocacy on air-quality legislation in neighboring Philadelphia that could help Chester.