About Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

In 2019, the Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy (IPHPRP), at the University of Iowa, College of Public Health was contracted by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) to develop, conduct, and analyze a needs assessment to determine how Iowa HHS can better meet the needs of the multiple stakeholders in the Iowa Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program including families, communities, medical providers and contractors.

The purpose of this needs assessment was to understand the strengths and challenges of the CLPPP and identify areas of improvement based on these results. IPHPRP conducted a mixed methods assessment of the Iowa CLPPP from November 2018 to February 2019. This assessment engaged multiple stakeholders, from multiple sectors, through on-line surveys and phone interviews. The assessment was aimed at finding new approaches and key programmatic strengths and challenges by collecting information from those engaged such as contractors, collaborators, medical providers, Iowa HHS program coordinators and direct service providers.

The results of this assessment include categorized recommendations that are intended to provide guidance to Iowa HHS as they dedicate resources to the needs of stakeholders in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Read the full needs assessment here.

Since the needs assessment, this partnership has continued to grow by implementing recommendations and further trying to understand the needs of stakeholders working in childhood lead poisoning prevention.

Iowa Childhood Lead Advisory Workgroup (CLAW)

The Iowa Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the Iowa Institute of Public Health Research and Policy have collaborated to form a statewide workgroup to facilitate improved outreach, education, and program changes to prevent childhood lead poisoning in Iowa. The Childhood Lead Advisory Workgroup (CLAW) members include local housing officials, medical professionals, public health officials, elected officials as well as other child health and housing services professionals. The group, formed in 2019, develops comprehensive strategies to prevent childhood lead poisoning through statewide policy and program changes. Two subgroups have been added to address specific issues. The Housing Policy subgroups aim is to prevent childhood lead poisoning in Iowa through increased awareness about lead-based paint and housing related issues. The Blood Lead Testing & Training subgroups aim is to Increase blood lead testing of children under 6 years in age through improved testing guidelines, policy, outreach and education.

CLAW contributions

Meet the IPHPRP Lead Team

Vickie Miene, MS, MA, LMHC

Director, IPHPRP

Vickie Miene, MS, MA, LMHC is the Director of the Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy and an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy, at the University of Iowa, College of Public Health. The Institute brings together public health practitioners, researchers, community leaders and policy makers to expand the impact of public health research and improve the health of populations. Ms. Miene has over 25 years of experience building and evaluating effective community based health care delivery models. Vickie lead a multimillion dollar, multi-year federally funded System of Care in 10 counties of NE Iowa, which gained national recognition as the first SOC that effectively combined social support and medical systems through an integrated team-based model of care. Ms. Miene has lead statewide training and technical assistance initiatives focused on integrated health, large scale quality improvement initiatives, and peer support services for the chronically mentally ill. Vickie currently co-leads a RWJF supported INVEST Health initiative to improve health among low income populations through creating partnerships between health and housing sectors. She has conducted various qualitative studies, most recently an assessment of Iowa public health data needs. Contact Vickie

Josie Hentzen

Josie Hentzen, MPH, CHES, is a program coordinator for the Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy at the University of Iowa.

She graduated with her MPH with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Josie is a Certified Health Education Specialist and received her bachelor’s degree in health promotion at the University of Iowa.

Helaina Thompson

Helaina Thompson, MS, is a research associate and program coordinator at the Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy at the University of Iowa.

She holds an MS in Health and Human Physiology and a BA in Journalism and Mass
Communication, both from the University of Iowa. Her prior work has centered on child nutrition, food security, and healthcare setting interventions.

If you would like to learn more or join the CLAW, please provide your information below and we will be in contact with you!