Greater Cleveland Lead Advisory Council moves forward eradicating lead poisoning in NEO

On March 31, 2005, the Greater Cleveland Lead Advisory Council (GCLAC) announced a significant initiative [1] to eradicate lead poisoning in Greater Cleveland by 2010. On April 26th the GCLAC formally launched the initiative with a meeting of the membership held at Burke Lakefront Airport.

Director of the Cleveland Department of Public Health Matt Carroll leads the meeting – all attendees introduce themselves and most are from state, county and Cleveland and area city health and development/housing organizations, healthcare, public services, faith organizations and legislature.

Matt points out the new GCLAC initiative for lead eradication by 2010 is the renewal of an initiative launched at Case in 2002 that concluded “we� need to do something about the lead problem in Greater Cleveland – St. Luke’s has provided funding for moving forward.

Many people in room have been involved in lead issues for many years and we are taking this very seriously. We look for children to reach their full potential – this is the opportunity for the attendees to get involved – with your commitment we are able to get great things done… we have the perfect storm of dollars, expertise and commitment. This meeting was for determining the leadership that will move this effort forward and form committees and look for feedback – GCLAC will be well organized and accountable for results.

Terry Allan (Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health) presented a Power-point presentation explaining the structure of the GCLAC.

Framework of council – GCLAC has steering committee with five sub-committees – Infrastructure/sustainability – workforce development – outreach/advocacy - program integration with medical – environmental/property owners…

Membership is of the whole, which will have quarterly/semi-annual meetings. The five subcommittees will drive plan and be accountable to meet objectives. The membership will elect chairs of council and sub-committees will select their chairs. Work is already being done in many of the sub-committee sectors – Environmental Healthwatch, Landlords committee, healthcare and childcare organizations. Elimination plan is found online at http://www.ccbh.net/pdf/lep.pdf [2].

Need steering committee to facilitate details of meeting plan – agendas – it will be comprised of 21 people including committee and sub-committee leaders and many state, county and legislative representatives and someone from the Case Medical School – tie in the range of folks in the community with interests in lead eradication

Objectives for today - need discussion to elect chair, co-chair and secretary, adopt by-laws, identify steering committee representatives, and sign up members for sub-committees and set schedules for committee meetings.