Michele Borgialli, MPH, MSW EBL Environmental Investigations
EBL Environmental Investigation Certification and Protocol History First EBL protocol Became Michigan law in 2005 EBL certification required to respond to a child lead poisoning case to identify the sources of poisoning Certification test – since 2006 Risk Assessor cert prerequisite Mostly local health department staffers Infrequent communications Identified lead program gap to address
What are we doing about it? Surveying Environmental Investigators June 2009June 2009 Sent out 80 surveysSent out 80 surveys 23 are inactive (retired, switched jobs)23 are inactive (retired, switched jobs) 25 respondents (44% response rate)25 respondents (44% response rate) Continue to follow up w/ non-respondersContinue to follow up w/ non-responders
Investigator Survey Content Frequency of service Investigator behaviors – sampling, XRF usage, communications Technical proficiency – training, computer skills Protocol and EBL report improvements Assistance and training needs from MDCH General feedback to MDCH
What else are we doing about it? Technical assistance communications 2008 – – to August – to August – 17 Field consultations – on-site training 2008 – – to August – to August – 4 Full EBL Environmental Investigations 2008 – – to August – to August – 6 EBL Report Reviews and Feedback 2008 – – to August to August - 4
That’s nice…anything else? George Williams Analyzing monthly reporting and MDCH Lead Lab data – sampling trendsAnalyzing monthly reporting and MDCH Lead Lab data – sampling trends Requesting specific EBL reports for courtesy review and feedbackRequesting specific EBL reports for courtesy review and feedback Sampling quality/quantity Occupancy use patterns Completion of household questionnaire Contacting all EBL InvestigatorsContacting all EBL Investigators George has his calendar today!
More Compliance Assistance EBL report feedback Mostly by teleconferenceMostly by teleconference Some by site visit, requested by either partySome by site visit, requested by either party Rarely by comparison inspectionRarely by comparison inspection On-site field or office consultation Telephone/ consultation MDCH XRF Quick-Loan Voluntary Meeting – Dec 7, 8, or 9 Mandatory Meeting – March 2010
Goals to Shoot For… Respond to everyone who requests compliance assistance Revise the EBL report and update protocol Increase communications with local health departments Respond to EBL survey needs assessment Transition from compliance assistance to enforcement focus by March 2010 Increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate from $200 to $800
Who you gonna call? George Williams Michele Borgialli