FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Program to identify and remediate lead hazards available for eligible households in City of Benton Harbor

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 10, 2021 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov Program to identify and remediate lead hazards available for eligible households in City of Benton Harbor More than 200,000 cases of bottled water distributed to families LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding City of Benton Harbor residents about services available to remove all lead hazards from Benton Harbor homes. "Removing lead hazards from Benton Harbor homes is an extremely important part of our efforts to protect children from exposure that can result in lifelong health effects," said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. "We have funding available that allows us to identify and remediate lead in homes where children or pregnant persons who are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP live or spend time." The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved an MDHHS request through the federal Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health insurance coverage for low-income children. Services provided through these MDHHS programs are comprehensive to identify and remediate all lead hazards. Families living in the City of Benton Harbor are urged to apply for this service by filling out and mailing in an application that is available online. Residents also can call 866-691-5323 to obtain information. Free bottled water continues to be provided by MDHHS and local, paid residents with 201,772 cases distributed to date. City of Benton Harbor residents are being encouraged to use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula. This action is part of an accelerated, across-the-board effort to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in drinking water while the city replaces all lead service lines. Community volunteers from the following organizations available to assist City of Benton Harbor residents pick up water at Benton Harbor High School, 870 Colfax Avenue as follows: Saturday, Dec. 11 12 – 2 p.m. – Volunteers from Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor 2 – 4 p.m. – Volunteers from New Covenant Community Baptist Church 4 – 6 p.m. – Volunteers from Harbor of Hope Seventh-Day Adventist Church Sunday, Dec. 12 2 – 4 p.m. – Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C. 4 – 6 pm – Volunteers from Brotherhood of All Nations Monday, Dec. 13 12 – 2 p.m. – Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C. 4 – 6 p.m. – Volunteers from New Covenant Community Baptist Church Tuesday, Dec. 14 12 – 2 p.m. – Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C. 4 – 6 p.m. – Volunteers from Ebenezer Baptist Church Wednesday, Dec. 15 12 – 2 p.m. – Volunteers from Purpose Church Ministries 4 – 6 p.m. – Volunteers from Purpose Church Ministries Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, will host self-serve water pickup as follows: Monday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Additional dates and locations for bottled water pick up will be added to make sure community needs are met. Information will be posted on Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe. To arrange water delivery to homebound or residents without transportation in the city of Benton Harbor, contact 211, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The upcoming schedule for bottled water pickup is: The ongoing response in Benton Harbor includes the city, Berrien County Health Department, local community organizations, MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. MDHHS is engaging in a long-term effort to eliminate lead action level exceedances, educate communities on the effects of lead in drinking water, and remove lead service lines. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for the replacement of lead service lines in Benton Harbor in 18 months and the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has provided just under $20 million to Benton Harbor to speed up their service line replacement timeline.   There is no cost to City of Benton Harbor residents for lead service line replacement. To assist with assuring the work can be completed as soon as possible, residents are encouraged to complete the Water Service Line Replacement Agreement available online. Contractors cannot begin work on any property without property owner authorization. Completed forms can be returned to Abonmarche, 95 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 or emailed to bvasher@abonmarche.com. For questions about lead, MDHHS can be reached at 866-691-5323 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. # # #  Benton Harbor update 121021 NR.pdf   Become a foster parent through Michigan Department of Health & Human Services foster care program. Questions?  Contact Us SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe All |  Subscriber Help STAY CONNECTED:       This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services · 235 S. Grand Ave W. · Lansing, MI 48909 · 1-855-275-6424