About the Coalition

The Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition is a public-private partnership formed to address the issue of lead poisoning in our community. Our approach is preventive, comprehensive, and long-term.

The Coalition is open to everyone and, today, is made up of more than 500 members, 140 organizations, state and local governments, and families impacted by lead.

The Coalition believes no child should ever be lead poisoned.

About Us

The Coalition is focused on preventing lead poisoning. The centerpiece of this effort is the Lead Safe Certification.

The Coalition is also works on:

Education and community engagement
Increased screening and testing for lead poisoning, and
Early intervention for children and families impacted by lead.

The Coalition elevates the voices of residents, landlords, advocates, and experts. We rely on the experiences of those who have been impacted by lead poisoning in:

Developing policy recommendations;
Creating the Lead Safe Home Fund;
Establishing the Lead Safe Resource Center; and
Educating and empowering community members to make their neighborhoods lead safe.

The work of the Coalition is spread across seven working committees.

Learn More About Our Committees

Our Guiding Principles

1. Systems change

Lead Safe Cleveland will work to transform policies and systems to promote lead poisoning prevention, screening and testing, treatment and intervention, and education and outreach.

2. Public-private partnership

Lead poisoning affects all of us, and we all need to take responsibility for addressing it. Dedicated resources—from the public, private, corporate, and philanthropic sectors—are needed for lead testing, screening, lead hazard control and abatement, relocation, community education and outreach, 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.

3. Cleveland approach

Lead Safe Cleveland will identify and pursue solutions based on science, best practices, and common sense, rooted in Cleveland’s unique assets and challenges.

4. Primary prevention

Lead Safe Cleveland believes in preventing childhood lead exposure in all residential properties, childcare facilities, schools, and other buildings during renovation, repair, regular maintenance, and demolition without threat of displacement.

5. Families deserve safe, affordable housing

Cleveland families must have access to safe, affordable housing. Families should have information on lead hazards in properties and how to protect themselves and their children.

6. Accountability

Lead Safe Cleveland will partner with and hold accountable rental property owners, governmental agencies, healthcare providers, insurers, the legal system, and others to protect the health and safety of children and families.

7. Outcome oriented

The Lead Safe Cleveland goals, objectives, and actions will be directed toward achieving measurable outcomes.

8. Genuine community partnership

Lead Safe Cleveland must be sure that the voices of people directly affected by lead are heard. For solutions to be sustainable, those directly affected must be full partners in project design and implementation.

9. Solidarity and collaboration

Groups working on similar issues with compatible visions should consciously act in solidarity, mutuality, and support each other’s work. We will treat each other with justice and respect, both on an individual and an organizational level.

10. Integrity

Lead Safe Cleveland will operate on the mode of community-centeredness. We must “walk our talk.” We must live out the values that we say we’re struggling for and we must work toward justice, peace, and community