Lead Poisoning Prevention

Volunteers & Interns

UNCA 's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 251-6104 , LBlock@unca.edu

Short-term Volunteer Opportunities

Gather statistic that are relevant to lead in Buncombe and Henderson counties - housing, health, demographics.
Gather newest research related to lead products and poisonings.
Promote our Lead-Safe Work Practices class.
Develop a surveillance record-keeping system for our program.
Find great existing educational materials and posters for us to get or purchase.
Head up Human Race outreach efforts.
Re-do our display. Research or create interactive lead-related activities.
Research grant possibilities relevant to our program.
Create a calendar of local festivals, conferences, and events (plus registration fees and deadlines) that would be appropriate for us to participate in.
Develop a cost-of-repair estimate sheet for "typical" work to reduce lead hazards in a home. Include local funding resources and qualification criteria.
Create a list of local newsletters that are relevant to our issues, and their publication deadlines.

On-going Volunteer Projects

Assist Lead Inspector with record keeping.
Translate materials into Spanish or Russian.
Assist with fairs and festivals.

Longer-term Volunteer/Internship Project Ideas

Outreach to local property managers and landlords. Promote and increase enrollment in the Preventive Maintenance Program - a voluntary program to make rental units lead-based-paint safe in exchange for some liability protection. Educate about lead laws and lead-safe renovation/remodeling practices. ID legal cases and use as educational tools.
Outreach to community service and volunteer coordinators. Distribute "What Volunteers Should Know about Lead-based Paint", set up lead-safe-work practices trainings, conduct educational presentations and organize follow up.
Outreach to discount stores and Latino mercados y tiendas. Search local shops for lead products - jewelry, Mexican candy and pottery, imported dishes and products, solder, paint, glazes, etc. Work with local merchants to remove items of concern from shelves or post educational warnings in Spanish and English. Attract media attention on new studies and product recalls.
Outreach to auto body shops. Develop educational materials about lead-based automobile paint and related worker safety issues. Distribute these materials and serve as an educational resource to shop owners/workers in Henderson and Buncombe counties. Work with local media to educate the public.
Outreach to expectant and new parents. Identify information pathways and provide education.
Outreach to high-risk communities. Use GIS data to target at-risk neighborhoods with educational handouts, presentations, and other creative methods Get messages out about lead poisoning prevention.
Research. Create a report with up-to-date local, state, national and international lead-related statistics, research findings, and unusual sources of contamination. Identify local newsletters and create a calendar of local festivals and events that are good outlets for our educational messages.

Looking for someone who can work independently and take initiative, is comfortable with one-on-one outreach or small-group presentations, is at ease working with economically and racially diverse populations, and who will be a reliable representative for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program!

Spanish-speaking ability is required for some projects. Internship salary $8/Hour.