BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The City of Battle Creek has received a $1.5 million grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to expand lead hazard services to eligible households in Calhoun County.
This funding, provided through Michigan’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, marks the eighth consecutive year the city has received this grant. Since 2017, the City of Battle Creek Community Development Division has partnered with the Calhoun County Health Department to identify families with lead-poisoned children, ages six and under, and rehabilitate 152 homes. The city also collaborates with Community Action to conduct lead abatement projects outside its boundaries.
The new round of funding will support lead abatement in 25 homes of low-income families with children who have been lead poisoned and are receiving Medicaid health benefits throughout Calhoun County. Services available under this initiative include, but are not limited to, the following efforts:
- Lead inspection, risk assessment, and/or elevated blood lead investigation activities to determine the presence of lead hazards.
- Permanent removal, enclosure, or encapsulation of lead-based paint and lead dust hazards for eligible residences.
- Removal or covering of soil lead hazards up to eligible residence property lines.
- Minimal rehabilitation to help sustain the lead abatement work.
- Removal of pre-2014 faucets and fixtures used for human consumption, plumbing, and/or service lines deemed to be a lead hazard.
- Temporary relocation of residents during lead abatement activities.
- Building local capacity to safely and effectively abate lead hazards.
For more information about the lead hazard control services and how to apply, visit https://battlecreekmi.gov/670/Lead-Safe-Program.
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