The
American Lung Association of Washington is the new sponsor for
the CLEARCorps/Seattle program.
CLEARCorps/Seattle will be working as a part of the Master Home Environmentalist™ Program. Since 1992, the Master Home Environmentalist’s™ unique
program has worked to reduce household exposure to lead, allergens,
pesticides,
and
carcinogens
in the home. Through a two day training program the members become
knowledgeable in a variety of indoor air quality issues including
pollutant identification and mitigation, human response to exposure
(dose/response), effective written/oral communication, behavior change
principles, and cultural sensitivity. A comprehensive training manual
is used extensively and is a reference tool that covers sources of
indoor pollutants, the most current scientific knowledge regarding
the health effects of these pollutants, effective methods for reducing
exposures, and community resources.
The members help residents identify household risks using the Home
Environmental Assessment List™ that guides them through a home
indoor air quality assessment process. The HEAL™ visit is an
integrated approach to looking at potential environmental hazards in
the home and will address lead, indoor air, moisture, dust, and hazardous
chemicals in the home. Once the potential hazards have been identified,
steps will be discussed to reduce the family’s exposure to these
hazards. The member focuses on low cost or no cost changes such as
smoking outside, removing shoes when entering the home, using bathroom
and kitchen fans to reduce build up of moisture, increasing frequency
of vacuuming and other cleaning to reduce levels of dust mites and
keeping pets out of bedrooms. Members and residents work together to
create a personalized Home Action Plan that emphasizes low or no-cost
solutions to a healthier home.
This program provides tangible life improving skills for the members to utilize
in their professional growth and development. Skills that developed include building
confidence, interpersonal skills, effective team work and team building, developing
assessment skills, learning how to share environmental health information with
others, project and time management skills, increased knowledge of scientific
and technical issues related to indoor environments and health, communication
and relationship building skills, as well as organizational and observational
skills.
Local partnerships
Among the organizations partnering with ALAW on CLEARCorps/Seattle:
Environmental Protection
Agency (Region 10)
International District
Housing Alliance
Langston
Hughes Performing Arts Center
Seattle/King County
Public Health
Contact:
Aileen Gagney
Program Manager
CLEARCorps/Seattle
2625 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-1200
Phone: 206-441-5100
Fax: 206-441-3277
agagney@alaw.org
Casey Coloumbe
Program Director
2625 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-1200
Phone: 206-441-5100 Ext. 50
Fax: 206-441-3277
casey@alaw.org
CLEARCorps/Seattle
Team
Georgene Chiou
Cara Henley Johnson
Zihuan Li
Hoa K. Tang
American Lung
Association of Washington
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