R2004-78 AUTHORIZING FUND ALLOCATION

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Lead poisoning is a major environmental health hazard for children. According to the Consolidated Plan, it is estimated that 73% of Decatur's housing stock was built before 1979, and therefore could be contaminated with lead based paint. The Macon County Health Department conducts lead based paint inspections for the City, using a lead testing machine which the City purchased for them. The Macon County Health Department and the Community Health Improvement Center(CHIC) are working to identify homes where children reside with elevated lead blood levels,to educate their clients on lead hazards, and to reduce the risks of those hazards. It is the policy of the Health Departrnent to educate their clients on lead hazards and to inform them of proper nutrition for children, good housekeeping practices and current regulations for abatement. In a further effort to evaluate and reduce lead hazards, the City has actively participated in a program, "Get The Lead Out Program"(GLO),with the Illinois Department of Public Health and entered a more comprehensive program with collaboration of the Macon County Health Department, and received increased funding. The City and the Macon County Health Department will continue to evaluate and execute lead hazard controls, and anticipate with the increased funding, an additional twenty(22) units will be addressed by the end of the October 2004 contractual period. The GLO program targets households with a pregnant woman or a child under the age of six with an elevated lead blood level for both homeowners and renters. Subarea 4.3: Neighborhood Organization -Priority 4C Decatur neighborhoods are diverse in nature, resulting in a mixture of issues and concerns. The I range of concerns range from crimes issues such as drug dealing,burglary, and shootings,while ', others are concerned with zoning issues. Decatur's neighborhood organizations provide common I ground among residents to share information, needs, successes, and to participate in collaborative problem solving efforts. As described on page 65 of the Consolidated Plan, the City's five-year goals are to: •Create five new neighborhood associations. •Provide at least 15 educational, neighborhood awareness, and leadership development � opportunities. •Hire 3 additional administrative staff to manage neighborhood programs. •Host the Neighborhood Networking Conference. •Provide technical assistance to 30 neighborhood organizations. •Hold 30 crime prevention forums for local residents. Strategy: The City will continue to participate in the steering committee for the Regional Neighborhood Networking Conference, which includes staff time allocated to help organize, as well as participate in the conference. The conference provides seminars and grass root networking for neighborhood organizations from various cities throughout a five-state region. The City will support and provide technical assistant to the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO) and to neighborhood organizations as requested. Staff will actively participate on the Decatur Area Project Board. Decatur Area Project Boazd is an advisory council to the neighborhood organization and affiliated with the Illinois Council of Area Projects. Staff will provide technical assistance to CONO to increase residents participation in their neighborhood organizations. City 20