Child Care Facilities
Children are most at risk from the detrimental effects of lead exposure.
State rules enacted in 2017 require certain child care providers to test their drinking water for lead. If lead is found at 2.01 parts per billion or above, providers are required to develop and implement a mitigation plan.
By strategically focusing our work to help child care facilities, we’re able to help those most vulnerable to lead.
Past and Current Projects
Lead in Water Resource Program
In 2019 we partnered with Illinois Action for Children to help over 750 home-based child care providers in the Chicago metro area address lead in their drinking water. As a result, 7,900 children were protected from the harmful effects of lead in water exposure.
Training Webinars and Workshops
Child care providers are required by state law to attend training workshops for education on the risk of lead and water and how to test for lead in their own homes.
In 2019, Elevate Energy hosted 25 lead in water training workshops, reaching nearly 950 childcare providers serving 5,000 children. We also conducted several webinars serving providers state-wide, allowing a larger group to access these invaluable resources.
Remediation Pilot Study
We partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund in 2017 to test and remove sources of lead at four nonprofit child care facilities in low-income Chicago communities.
This pilot helped these facilities protect nearly 600 children from exposure to high levels of lead in water.
Resources for Providers
Are you a child care provider interested in learning more about lead testing and mitigation?
We work with Illinois Action for Children to offer technical education and resources.
Resources include:
- How to test your water for lead
- How to mitigate if lead is found
- How to communicate your test results to parents
- More!
Please see these additional resources for more information.
