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Major Initiatives:

2001 Lead-Safe Indiana Award Winners

The following individuals and organizations received a 2001 Lead Safe Indiana Award from the Task Force at its 2001 Conference on November 8, 2001.  Kim Green, Executive Director of the Indiana Housing Finance Authority, Dr. Virginia Caine, Director of the Marion County Health Department, and Tom Neltner, Dave McCormick and Mark Young of the Task Force presented the awards.  For more information on the awards.  

• Howard County Health Department

• Nancy Cobb

• Dave McCormick

• Senator Beverly Gard

• Memorial Hospital of South Bend

• HealthVisions Midwest

• Kevin O'Malley and Porter Paints

Kevin O'Malley and Porter Paints                 

Porter Paints is the only paint retailer in Indiana that has taken tangible steps to help its customers prevent lead poisoning.  Kevin O'Malley is a contractor salesperson working out of Porter Paint’s downtown Indianapolis office.  He took a lead role in working with IKE and Marion County Health Department to get Porter Paints Central Indiana clerks trained to recognize situations where preparing a painted surface may release lead dust that could poison a resident.  Through their efforts, several customers are known to have avoided sanding lead-based paint. 

HealthVisions Midwest

HealthVisions Midwest is a non-profit organization that has taken a leading role in lead poisoning prevention coalitions in Lake County and Allen County.  They have also taken an active role in the Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force.  With their focus on sound information and focused strategic planning, the organization has made a difference in the communities their serve.

Memorial Hospital of South Bend

Memorial Hospital has been the primary sponsor and organizer of the St. Joseph County Get the Lead Out Task Force.  This Task Force is the oldest lead poisoning prevention coalition in Indiana.  Through their Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinic, they have taken a leading role in blood lead testing and public education using innovative approaches including specialized training and mascots such as the Lead-O-saurus.

Senator Beverly Gard

Senator Gard authored critical lead poisoning prevention legislation in the 2001 session of the Indiana General Assembly.  As author, she met several times with interested parties including the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to work through the details of the  legislation to come up with a bill that would succeed.  Unfortunately, the bill died in the closing minutes of the session for unrelated reasons.  Senator Gard has pledged to support a revised version of the bill in the 2002 session.

Dave McCormick

Dave McCormick has been a compelling advocate for lead poisoning prevention in Indianapolis and Indiana.  He provided critical support and guidance when the Lead-Safe Indiana Task Force was just getting started.  And his ongoing support helped the Task Force succeed.  From surveying paint retailers to help them provide better advice to their customers to advocating full reporting of all blood lead tests, Dave has been there for Hoosier children.

Nancy Cobb

Nancy Cobb was the driving force behind the Windows of Opportunity Project - recognizing that protecting kids from getting lead poisoned is far better than managing them after they are permanently damaged by lead.  But the Windows project was only the culmination of years of effort to advance lead poisoning in her roles at Indiana State Department of Health and the Family and Social Services Administration. 

Howard County Health Department

The Howard County Health Department, after being designated as one of Indiana State Department of Health’s targeted counties and the passage of the Communicable Disease Reporting Rule, took a lead role by developing a comprehensive plan to address lead poisoning in their community.  Through an unique health education campaign, the Howard County Health Department increased knowledge of lead poisoning in not only healthcare providers but in the general public at large.