The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are committed to working together toward a shared vision of a lead-free future for children and families across the United States. To that end, today (March 24,2023) HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and EPA Administrator Michael Regan issued a joint letter to governors encouraging them to leverage all available resources to ensure young children are not exposed to lead in water in those places where many young children spend a great deal of time — early care and education programs.
Head Start programs have a critical role to play in preventing lead poisoning in children. Programs are required to maintain facilities free from toxins, make sure children are screened for lead poisoning, and partner with families to promote children’s healthy development. That is why, today, the Office of Head Start published guidance through ACF-IM-HS-23-01 The Role of Head Start Programs in Addressing Lead in Water.
Related Resources
Explore these resources and share with your community and networks:
• Joint HHS and EPA Letter to Governors
• EPA and HHS Partner for Lead Reduction in Early Care and Education Programs
• ACF-IM-HS-23-01 The Role of Head Start Programs in Addressing Lead in Water