WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
401 NORTH HIGHLAND AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206 www.womenforahealthyenvironment.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE AMBASSADORS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL.

TO EDUCATE & EMPOWER COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ACT AS AMBASSADORS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS.

HEALTHY HOMES:THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) REPORTS AMERICANS SPEND ABOUT 90% OF THEIR TIME INDOORS. A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THAT TIME IS SPENT IN OUR HOMES, SO THESE PLACES SHOULD BE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE. WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT (WHE) EDUCATES COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON THE MANY POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS IN AND AROUND THE HOME (SUCH AS LEAD, RADON, MOLD, POOR AIR QUALITY, PESTICIDE EXPOSURE, AND THE ARRAY OF HAZARDS FOUND IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS) THAT IMPACT PUBLIC HEALTH. AS PART OF OUR OUTREACH, PROGRAMMING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, STAFF PROVIDE INFORMATION ON CONNECTIONS TO HEALTH IMPACTS, AS WELL AS CONCRETE ACTION STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO AVOID OR ELIMINATE THESE RISKS. COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION. POUND FOR POUND CHILDREN BREATHE MORE AIR, DRINK MORE WATER AND CONSUME MORE FOOD THAN ADULTS. THEREFORE, WHE OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR CREATING A HEALTHY AND SAFE HOME ENVIRONMENT FOR FAMILIES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON WORKING IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES. THIS PROGRAMMING ENGAGES FAMILIES VISITING SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES SUCH AS FAMILY SUPPORT CENTERS, HEALTH CARE CENTERS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS WITH TOOLS, INFORMATION AND RESOURCES THAT FOCUS ON CREATING A GREEN AND HEALTHY HOME ENVIRONMENT. THE SESSIONS AND ONLINE INFORMATION EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS ON POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN THE HOME AND PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE. OUR OUTREACH CONTINUES TO BE BOTH BROAD AND COMMUNITY-BASED, BY CONDUCTING HYPER-LOCAL INITIATIVES IN THE MON-VALLEY REGION, WILKINSBURG AND THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. OVER THE LAST YEAR, COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING WAS DELIVERED IN OUTPATIENT HEALTH CLINICS, LIBRARIES, PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS. WE BROUGHT EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING AT LANDLORD SUMMITS, HOUSING FAIRS AND TAX SITES. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, STAFF DISTRIBUTED OVER 700 HEALTHY HOME KITS, PARTICIPATED IN OVER 50 COMMUNITY EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS EDUCATING OVER 1,500 INDIVIDUALS. THE ORGANIZATION'S TEAM PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OVER THREE DOZEN FAMILIES IMPACTED BY LEAD EXPOSURE. WHEN COVID-19 CAUSED THE ORGANIZATION TO SHIFT OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, WE LAUNCHED A VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES, WHE CREATE CHANGE, TO OFFER RELEVANT AND USEFUL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY, INFORMING OVER 3,000 INDIVIDUALS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED RESOURCES TO FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER FAMILIES INCLUDING DISTRIBUTING HAND SANITIZER, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE-BASED DISINFECTANT AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON COVID-19. LASTLY, WHE EXPANDED ITS HEALTHY HOMES CURRICULUM TO FOCUS ON HEALTHY EQUITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE, MAKING THIS A PRIORITY WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES: DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR WHE ADDED A NEW PART-TIME POSITION, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER (CHW), TO FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN THE MON VALLEY REGION OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. THE CHW PROVIDES EDUCATION AND TOOLS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY EXPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS. THE CHW DELIVERS COMMUNITY-BASED AND HOME-BASED SUPPORT BY ADDRESSING INTERVENTIONS FOCUSED ON HEALTHY HOUSING SUCH AS INDOOR AIR QUALITY, HEAVY METAL EXPOSURE, OR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS AND HEALTH-RELATED ILLNESS (I.E. TRIGGERS FOR ASTHMA). THIS EDUCATION IS DELIVERED TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN RESIDING IN ENVIRONMENTALLY DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE REGION. THIS STAFF MEMBER PARTICIPATES IN MANY COMMUNITY FORUMS AND COMMITTEES TO BRING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TO THE FOREFRONT OF COMMUNITY DECISION-MAKING, AS WELL AS PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS IN THE FORM OF HEALTHY HOME KITS, TESTING OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING RESOURCES (SUCH AS HOME REMEDIATION PROGRAMS).

HEALTHY SCHOOLS:HEALTHY SCHOOLS PA WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATORS, STAFF (SCHOOL NURSES, FACILITY DIRECTORS, FOOD SERVICE DIRECTORS), TEACHERS AND PARENTS, TO IDENTIFY AND REMEDIATE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS IN SCHOOLS ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN PA. WE PROVIDE INFORMATION, SUPPORT, AND HANDS-ON EXPERTISE SO THAT CHILDREN CAN THRIVE AND LEARN IN HEALTHY, TOXIC-FREE SETTINGS. WHETHER A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS RENOVATING A SCHOOL, BUILDING A NEW FACILITY, OR MAINTAINING EXISTING BUILDINGS, MANY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO STUDENT AND STAFF HEALTH, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. IN 2019, WHE BEGAN DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS FOR AN UPDATED REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS. THIS PROCESS INCLUDED EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF THE REPORT TO ENCOMPASS A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS STATE-WIDE, WHILE PROVIDING AN UPDATE TO THE BASELINE DATA REPORTED ON IN THE 2018 REPORT. IN ADDITION, NEW DATA POINTS ON SCHOOL FUNDING, SCHOOL NURSES, ASTHMA PREVALENCE, MOLD AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY WERE INCLUDED TO PROVIDE GREATER DEPTH AND CONTEXT TO THIS REPORT. THE REPORT IS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED IN EARLY 2021 AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL STAKEHOLDERS AND DECISION MAKERS.CURRICULUM: WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT'S (WHE) HEALTHY SCHOOLS PA PROGRAM ENGAGES MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO BUILD AN ADVOCACY NETWORK FOR GREEN AND HEALTHY SCHOOLS, ADVANCE SOCIAL AND POLICY CHANGE IN SCHOOL SYSTEMS, CREATE COLLABORATIONS THAT ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS, AND FOSTER HEALTHY PLACES FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN AND GROW. STAFF PRESENTED INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER TO REGIONAL AND NATIONAL CONFERENCES. IN ADDITION, STAFF DELIVERED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CURRICULA TO OVER 350 (N=390) STUDENTS THROUGH CLASSROOM ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING. THE LESSONS FOCUS ON AIR QUALITY (INDOOR AND AMBIENT), WATER QUALITY, FOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT, AND CHEMISTRY IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: STAFF ASSISTED 22 SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THIS SUPPORT FOCUSED ON TOPICS SUCH AS LEAD, RADON, MOLD, CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION BEST PRACTICES, INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT, GRANT WRITING, INDOOR AND AMBIENT AIR QUALITY. THE 1000 HOURS A YEAR INITIATIVE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GREEN BUILDING ALLIANCE, IS A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS AND EARLY LEARNING CENTERS THAT WISH TO TEST AND REMEDIATE FOR LEAD AND RADON, TWO KNOWN, YET PREVENTABLE, ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. STAFF DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED AN ALERT SYSTEM TO NOTIFY SCHOOLS ON POOR AIR QUALITY DAYS. IN ADDITION, WHE PROVIDES RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONDUCTING RECESS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS ACTIVITIES ON THESE DAYS IN ORDER TO PROTECT CHILDREN'S HEALTH.TRAINING: HEALTHY SCHOOLS PA OFFERS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OVER 350 (N=372) SCHOOL PERSONNEL ATTENDED WHE TRAININGS FOCUSED ON TOPICS SUCH AS GREEN CLEANING, INDOOR AIR QUALITY, MOLD, AND LEAD AND RADON. IN THE FALL OF 2019, STAFF HOSTED THE ANNUAL HEALTHY SCHOOLS SUMMIT. THIS EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 60 SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS, FACILITIES DIRECTORS, EDUCATORS, AND ADMINISTRATORS TO LEARN ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS AND COLLABORATE ON FINDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTH INITIATIVES IN SCHOOLS. THE SUMMIT ALSO ENGAGED PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A RAPID-FIRE MINI-SERIES THAT ADDRESSED KEY ISSUES IN SCHOOL HEALTH AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING INDOOR AIR QUALITY, GREEN CLEANING, CLIMATE CHANGE AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH, AND SCHOOL RENOVATIONS. PROVIDING INTERACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT VARIOUS STRATEGIES IN OUR SCHOOLS, THE SUMMIT INCLUDED A STEAM CURRICULUM WORKSHOP AND A GRANT-WRITING AND COMMUNICATIONS PANEL TO HELP SCHOOL COMMUNITY MEMBERS STRATEGICALLY FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. RECOGNITION: SCHOOLS ARE HONORED FOR THEIR YEAR-LONG PARTICIPATION IN THE ORGANIZATION'S HEALTHY SCHOOLS RECOGNITION PROGRAM, CELEBRATING THE SCHOOL'S PROGRESS IN CREATING HEALTHIER AND GREENER LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. THE PROGRAM HAS FOUR RECOGNITION CATEGORIES AND PROVIDES A CHECKLIST OF STRATEGIES SCHOOLS CAN EMPLOY AS PART OF THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS OR SUSTAINABILITY PLANS, AS WELL WITHIN THEIR CURRICULUM, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND SCHOOL CULTURE. A CHECKLIST GUIDES SCHOOLS THROUGH THE PROCESS. HEALTHY SCHOOLS PA'S ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITH OFTEN LITTLE TO NO-COST SOLUTIONS FOR MANY ITEMS ON THE CHECKLIST. THE RECOGNITION OF THESE SCHOOLS AND THEIR WORK SERVES AS A MODEL FOR OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE REGION. THERE WERE THIRTEEN SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS HONORED FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE 2018-2019 HEALTHY SCHOOL RECOGNITION PROGRAM.

HEALTHY COMMUNITY:DURING 2019-2020 WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT CHAIRED THE LEAD SAFE ALLEGHENY COALITION, WHICH ENVISIONS A COMMUNITY IN WHICH ALL ALLEGHENY COUNTY CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVE IN A LEAD-SAFE ENVIRONMENT. LEAD SAFE ALLEGHENY'S MISSION IS TO WORK WITHIN ALLEGHENY COUNTY TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY THAT ADVANCES STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND FOSTERS COLLABORATION AMONG THE COMMUNITY BY FOCUSING ON PRIMARY PREVENTION AND ULTIMATELY CREATING A LEAD SAFE ENVIRONMENT. LEAD POISONING AFFECTS ALL OF US, AND WE ALL NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADDRESSING IT. WHETHER IN OUR HOUSING, WATER OR SOIL, WE MUST ACT COLLECTIVELY TO PREVENT AND REMEDIATE LEAD HAZARDS AND THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF LEAD EXPOSURE ON AFFECTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. DEDICATED RESOURCES ARE NEEDED FOR LEAD TESTING, SCREENING, LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND ABATEMENT, ASSISTANCE FOR AFFECTED FAMILIES, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ORGANIZING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR LEAD PROFESSIONALS, INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS, TRAINING IN LEAD-SAFE WORK PRACTICES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND MORE. THE COALITION ADVOCATES EFFECTIVELY TO ENSURE WE MAINTAIN PUBLIC VIGILANCE UNTIL WE HAVE ACHIEVED OUR OVERALL GOAL OF PROTECTING CHILDREN BY ELIMINATING HARMFUL EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN ALL SOURCES. IT UTILIZES A HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HIAP) COLLABORATIVE APPROACH, WHICH INTEGRATES AND ARTICULATES HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS INTO POLICYMAKING ACROSS SECTORS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF ALL COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE. DURING FISCAL YEAR 20, WHE PROVIDED LEADERSHIP AND PLANNING TO THE "LEADERS AND LEAD AND "LANDLORDS AND LEAD" FORUMS, NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK INITIATIVES, DO-IT-YOURSELF CURRICULUM AND ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL RETAILERS. WHE MANAGES GET THE LEAD OUT, PITTSBURGH. THIS IS A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WORKING TO SHINE A LIGHT ON LEAD POISONING, PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES SUFFERING FROM ITS IMPACT, AND DRIVE CHANGE. THE CAMPAIGN GOAL IS TO ADVANCE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH LEAD POISONING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY.

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