THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
The Wayne Township Office is proud of our reputation for helping those who help themselves. The Workfare Department in our office is a classic example of how combining missions to help needy segments within the community can produce many positive outcomes that benefit us far beyond the initial investment of our tax dollars.
One of the many duties of the Workfare Department is to inspect housing in Wayne Township for health and safety violations before assistance is granted to pay for rent, or mortgage payments. The Wayne Township Office has recently partnered with the Allen County Department of Health to begin testing all houses for lead-based paint contamination. Houses built before 1978 may have been painted with lead-based paint, which can cause brain damage in children.
The link between lead poisoning and the effect on children’s learning and behavioral problems has been well documented and damage to the children is permanent. This is a totally preventable health issue whose consequences can be extremely costly later. Lead dust and lead in the soil are the most common ways of poisoning, and children under the age of seven are the most vulnerable. Inside the home, doors and windows are the most likely sources to find lead-based paint. It is a very durable paint and as the paint deteriorates over time, it gives off dust that contaminates floors, toys, blankets, and once on children’s hands it may be ingested.
Children that are affected by lead poisoning are 7 times more likely to drop out of high school and nearly 6 times more likely to have a reading disability. Additional developmental consequences are hearing loss, language disorders, decreased attention span, hyperactivity, loss of memory, reduced cognition and disruptive behavior. Children with behavioral problems increase the risk that a parent could abuse or neglect their child. Homes in Wayne Township that we find to be contaminated are reported by the Trustee’s Office to the Health Department for action. They will notify both the tenants and the landlord and advise them of what steps need to be taken to correct the problem so that no further contamination can occur. The Wayne Township Office is currently looking into ways we can help these two groups resolve the problems.
This is an important environmental issue that we are proud to be involved in identifying and finding solutions. Literally, our children’s lives and futures are at stake. If you would like additional information on lead poisoning or testing, please contact Dave Deal at the Wayne Township Office 449-7000, or Amy Hesting at the Allen County Department of Health 449-7125.
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Little River Wetlands Names New Executive Director - May 10, 2024
- Local Writer Irons Out Devotional Inspired By Mother’s Day Gift - May 10, 2024
- Sharing Plants & Local Food - May 10, 2024