CLEVELAND — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Friday that he will be launching a new program aimed at protecting residents in all 88 counties across Ohio from exposure to toxic lead.
The "Lead Safe Ohio Program" will invest $150 million in state and local efforts to prevent lead poisoning and remediate lead contamination.
The new program is part of Gov. DeWine's efforts to make the state lead-safe for children as well as families.
“In 2023, lead exposure is an all-too-preventable problem," said Gov. DeWine. "It is our responsibility to ensure that all Ohioans – young and old – feel safe and healthy in their own homes.”
Gov. DeWine says that $100 million will go towards lead prevention and mitigation, including the following:
- Lead-safe building certification
- Screening and testing for lead poisoning
- Education and outreach
- Early intervention for children and families impacted by lead
All of the funding remaining will be used by the Ohio Department of Development for workforce development, recruitment and retention of lead contractors and lead remediation services in single-family homes, congregate care shelters and child care facilities built before 1978.
“Thanks to Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted, we’re making another important investment in our most precious commodity – our children,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “We’re excited to work with our local partners in the coming months to bring this funding to all 88 counties and start making lead contamination a thing of the past.”
Officials say that applications for eligible local communities will open at the end of the summer. Outreach to homeowners, congregate shelters and childcare facilities seeking lead prevention and mitigation services will begin in early 2024.
Information on how to apply for the program will be released HERE.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on May 19, 2023.