The Lead Safe Program : Bridgeport Hospital in the Community

Bridgeport Hospital has had a Pediatric HIV Clinic for eight years, which provides specialty HIV medical care for infected children in the area, as well as intensive communication with the primary care physicians in order to maintain these children in their community health care system. Our home-based, community outreach services focus on caring for our families as a unit and addressing the needs of as many infected or affected family members as possible with the hopes of keeping families intact. We provide psychological support to our families, assistance with obtaining entitlements and household supplies, referrals for substance abuse treatment, assistance with housing issues and help in planning for care/recreational activities for the children that we follow. This project is funded in part by CT Primary Care Association through funding for staff from HRSA Maternal Health Bureau. The program has an ongoing need for emergency assistance funds for services and supplies not covered by insurance or State funding.

Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most important health issues in the United States. Three to four million children (1 out of 6) children under six years of age have lead poisoning. The effect of even modest lead exposure can cause nervous system disorders, lowered IQ's, impaired memory and reaction times and shortened attention spans. In the Greater Bridgeport Community (including Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull and Fairfield), all of our children are at risk of becoming lead poisoned; very low income families living in deteriorated rental properties are at the highest risk. At the present time, the Bridgeport Health Department is tracking 1,487 children, aged 6 and under, who have exhibited blood lead levels over 10ug/dl (micrograms of lead per deciliter). Of this group, 168 children have severely elevated lead levels of more than 20ug/dl and need aggressive treatment.

Bridgeport Hospital has been a leader both in providing treatment for these children and in designing a community-based supportive program through a coalition of community organizations, the Lead Poison Action Coalition, which includes the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, the Health Department of Bridgeport, Stratford and Fairfield, the Bridgeport Housing Relocation Department, CT Department of Social Services, People's Bank, Legal Aid and others.

This Lead Safe House concept is an innovative extension of the hospital's mission to the community, because it goes beyond treating the immediate problem of lead poisoning. In addition to treatment, the program provides:

• housing in a lead-free environment at the Lead Safe House
• help with finding contamination free housing in the community
• assessment of the child's development
• case management, referrals and continued support for the child and his/her family
• outreach education to the entire community

The Lead Safe Program has had good results, serving more than 44 families and 120 children since the program began in March 1996. In addition, outreach education services have been provided to more than 1,000 residents including children, families and community organizations.

If you would like to make a donation to the Lead Safe House Program, e-mail us for further information.