Chester Kick-Off New Healthy Homes Program

Councilman William ”Al” Jacobs, Director of Public Safety invites all Chester families with children 7 years old and younger to participate in the Chester Healthy Homes and Lead Program (CHHLP) Kick-off, Saturday, October 5th, 2013 at the Chester Boys and Girls Club from 11:00pm-1:00pm. 

The event will celebrate the transition of the former lead poisoning prevention program to the Chester Healthy Homes and Lead Program (CHHLP). The program expansion is partly supported by a $23,000 award from the National Nursing Centers Consortium an affiliate of Pennsylvania Health Management Corporation and the PA Department of Health.

Public Health Commissioner Ieasa Nichols explains that, “With the adoption of the US Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Healthy Homes model we are now expanding our efforts to include the detection and elimination of all household hazards that may cause unintended injury and adverse health outcomes for our children.” These hazards include exposure to mold, lead, allergens, tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, pesticide residue and other toxic indoor pollutants that may cause chronic respiratory diseases such and Asthma. 

Jacobs stated that, “The program’s principle activity will now be to assess the environmental housing conditions in which our families live, heighten household awareness to dangers that exist in the home and connect residents to resources.”

Cheri Cornell, CHHLP Program Director also shared that although the program will no longer offer blood lead testing as a primary activity, their staff will continue to work with community partners to provide lead-based paint detection services for children in Chester and Delaware County with elevated lead levels.  Families entering the program will also be referred for financial assistance, workforce development, housing, behavioral health, medical and social services as needed.

Accordingly to Jacobs, “The adoption of Healthy Homes will allow us to also strengthen our housing enforcement activities overall and provide residents with necessary case management services.” 

The Bureau of Health encourages all agencies interested in partnership and referrals to contact Cheri Cornell, CHHLP Director at 610-447-7824.

“Promoting policies, programs and partnerships that improve social determinants of health and build health equity for those who live, work, learn and play in Chester.”

Ieasa A. Nichols, MHS/Public Health Commissioner-City of Chester

Phone: 610-447-7770

Email: inichols@chestercity.com