Public Health Services Available for Lead-Exposed Children

Services are provided at no cost to the family regardless of income or insurance status.

As of July 1, 2016, the definition of a case of lead poisoning has changed. Anyone from birth up to the age of 21 with one venous BLL ≥ 14.5 mcg/dL; or two BLLs ≥ 9.5 mcg/dL, the second of which must be venous, is eligible for full case management. Case management includes home visits and follow-up by both a public health nurse and an environmental professional.

Public health services will also be offered to all children who have a blood lead test ≥ 3.5 mcg/dL. These children will receive at a minimum monitoring and outreach and education, and services may include other graded responses up to and including public health nursing and environmental investigation as for cases, as resources allow.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Services

A–Z Index (by City or County) of Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs *

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) provides services to the community for the purpose of increasing awareness regarding the hazards of lead exposure, reducing lead exposure, and increasing the number of children assessed and appropriately blood tested for lead poisoning. The CLPPP program offers Public Health Nursing (PHN) home visits, environmental home inspections, and nutritional assessments to families of children who meet the case definition described above. The CLPPP provides telephone contacts and educational materials to families of lead-poisoned and lead-exposed children. The CLPPP provides information and education to the general public, medical providers, and community-based organizations.

* NOTE: In jurisdictions not currently contracted with the State, the CLPP Branch provides these services.

The Branch can be reached at:

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
850 Marina Bay Parkway
Building P, Third Floor
Richmond, CA 94804

Phone: 510-620-5600

Fax: 510-620-5656

Public Health Nurses:

• Conduct visits for children with blood lead levels meeting the state case definition
• Complete a child/family assessment (physical, nutritional, psychosocial, and environmental).
• Identify and test for possible non-housing lead sources
• Provide ongoing case management, communicating with the family, the provider, and other agencies, if needed
• Provide health education, monitor lead levels, and encourage medical follow-up
• Communicate with health care providers and provide referrals when necessary

Environmental Professionals:

• Conduct environmental home inspections to children with blood lead levels meeting the full state case definition
• Conduct secondary address investigations, if indicated
• Identify and test for possible housing lead sources such as paint, soil, dust and water
• Provide recommendations to reduce contact with lead
• Follow up to see that sources of lead are corrected

Public Health Nutritionists (in some jurisdictions):

• Provide nutritional assessments for children with blood lead levels meeting the full state case definition 
• Consult with doctors, nurses, and other professionals regarding nutritional status of
  lead-poisoned children

Health Education Staff (in some jurisdictions):

• Provide information to families regarding possible lead sources, nutrition, and blood lead testing recommendations.
• Provide health education through presentations and health fairs to the general public, medical providers and community-based organizations
• Work with families and health care providers