DLEAD Advocacy Group

Reducing Lead Levels One Step at a Time

The Detroit Lead Advocacy Parent Group/DLEAD is a group of parents, educators, and community partners who are working to build awareness and create strategies to end lead poisoning for Detroit’s children. We share awareness, education, and prevention techniques with families dealing with a child who has elevated blood lead levels.

“[DLEAD is] a godsend,” Henry told Planet Detroit. The main benefit for Henry has been education on lead’s impacts, how to reduce risk, and help others who have been exposed.  “When you know better, you do better. I’m one of those people that whatever I learn, I gotta spread the word and pass it on. I believe in each one, teach one.”

  • Universal Lead Testing – Pass legislation so that all Michigan children under 6 are tested for lead annual
  • Code Enforcement – Enforce Detroit Ordinances to require landlords to make their rental properties lead safe 
  • Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program-Enforce RRP EPA Law requiring contractors to take a RRP Course and follow lead-safe practices 
  • Relocation Program– Design a program to offer families support if they choose to relocate instead of waiting for lead abatement
  • Getting Children Tested– Every child should be tested, this is the best way to find out if your child has elevated blood lead levels.
  • Proper Nutrition: A healthy diet can protect children from lead poisoning; feeding children foods that are rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C.
  • Preventing Lead in your Home: Learning tips to reduce sources of lead exposure in older homes and buildings.
  • Proper Home Renovations to Reduce Lead: You can prevent dangerous lead dust from spreading throughout your home with DIY lead-safe practices.

We have served all City of Detroit Families  with a number of 489 Families and Counting.

Lead Impacted
Families Trainings

Lead Impacted Families Trainings (LIFT) is a collaboration with the  Ecology Center for families that have been impacted by lead in the State of Michigan.

Families from Grand Rapids, Flint and Detroit came together to share their stories and learned to become advocates and are helping to make local laws stronger and better enforced.

LIFT Steps

  • Welcome and Orientation 
  • Influencing Lawmakers
  • Lead ED Day Lunch Panel Speaker
  • Spokesperson Training- How to share your story with different audiences-Part 1
  • Spokesperson Training- How to share your story with different audiences- Part 2
  • Health Economic Impacts of lead in Michigan 
  • Creating a parents advocacy platform to end lead poisoning
  • Where do we go from here: Next Steps
  • Advocacy Day-Families and Health Professionals 
  • Graduations and Celebration!