Defend Our Health

ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATIO

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO PROMOTE A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHY HOMES APPROACH TO REDUCE HARMFUL INDOOR EXPOSURES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS WILL INCLUDE THE WELL DOCUMENTED AND REGULATED HAZARDS OF LEAD-BASED PAINT AND RADON, BUT WILL ALSO ADDRESS THE APPROPRIATE CONTROL OF PESTS WHILE MINIMIZING DANGEROUS PESTICIDES, MOLD AND MOISTURE, COMMON ASTHMA TRIGGERS AND BASIC INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONCERNS. ACTIVITIES:THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO REFINE EXISTING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND DEVELOP TRAIN-THE-TRAINER CURRICULUM TO PROMOTE SAFE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS BY MINIMIZING RISK OF CONTAMINANTS, INCLUDING LEAD, MOLD, MOISTURE, CARBON MONOXIDE, AND OTHER ASTHMA TRIGGERS APPROPRIATE FOR RECENT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES IN MAINE; REACH 590 INDIVIDUALS IN SOUTHERN MAINE TO EDUCATE RECENT IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES ON HEALTHY HOUSING; AND ASSIST AT LEAST 75 RECENT IMMIGRANTS OR REFUGEES CONDUCT A SELF-ASSESSMENT OF THEIR HOMES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND CONNECT TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE IS TO REDUCE THE PREVALENCE OF HOUSING-LINKED HEALTH CONDITIONS AMONGST NEW MAINERS, SPECIFICALLY IN THE RWANDAN COMMUNITY, IN SOUTHERN MAINE BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. DURING THE GRANT PERIOD, THEY WILL WORK TO REFINE EXISTING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND DEVELOP TRAIN-THE-TRAINER CURRICULUM TO PROMOTE SAFE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS; CONDUCT TRAIN-THE-TRAINER SEMINARS, AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH TRAINED LEADERS, REACH AT LEAST 240 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH IN-PERSON INTERACTIONS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 250 THROUGH PAMPHLETS AND SOCIAL MEDIA; AND ASSIST AT LEAST 75 NEW MAINERS CONDUCT A SELF-ASSESSMENT OF THEIR HOMES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND CONNECT THEM TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AS WARRANTED.

THE 'CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND CLEAN WATER IN RURAL MAINE' PROJECT SEEKS TO ENSURE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE DRINKING WATER FOR ALL MAINE FAMILIES WHO RELY ON RESIDENTIAL WELLS. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING A CONSENSUS PLAN OF ACTION AND PROVIDING SUSTAINED EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO RESIDENTS IN ORDER TO REDUCE HEAVY METAL EXPOSURE FROM RESIDENTIAL WELLS AND INCREASE ACCESS TO TREATMENT RESOURCES. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND A MEASURABLE INCREASE IN WELL TESTING.