BM4F_District of Columbia Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention ...

District of Columbia Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017

Progress, Triumphs & Strategic Advocacy

Organizational Overview Who is Black Millennials for Flint?

Who is Black Millennials for Flint? ●

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Black Millennials For Flint (#BM4F) is a grassroots, environmental justice and civil rights organization with the purpose of bringing like-minded organizations together to collectively take action and advocate against the crisis of lead exposure specifically in African American & Latino communities throughout the nation. Our roots began as a programming initiative within Thursday Network—Greater Washington Urban League Professionals in the wake of the Flint Water Crisis (hence our namesake).

Our Mission & Vision ● MISSION ○

Black Millennials for Flint’s mission is to empower communities to take action and advocate against the crisis of lead exposure specifically in African American & Latino communities.

● VISION ○

Black Millennials for Flint envisions a nation where community leaders unite to seek environmental justice for lead-free African American & Latino communities.

Four Point Action Plan 1. Raise funds and cultivate resources to improve the quality of life of communities impacted by lead exposure.

2. Advocate for the eradication of lead in air, consumer products, housing, soil, and water.

3. Educate & equip the general public with digestible information regarding lead and lead exposure.

4. Build coalitions with like-minded organizations.

Our Progress How did we impact the passing of the DC Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017?

DC Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Legislative Recommendations ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

To publish the results of environmental testing and remediation efforts within 5 business days of receiving test results or taking remedial action. To translate the lead-related documents on the DGS website into the six languages, as stated by the Language Access Law, so more district residents and families can understand this information. To provide transparency and consistency in the strategy and data for testing with the type of filters used (the vendor and life cycle including date that the filter was replaced and next replacement date) To provide appropriate public signage of the results, posted in universally accessible graphics/visual imagery, or infographics. To provide contact Information via DGS Website/Distributed Information (actual person opposed to a catchall email that fields outstanding questions & concerns) To provide alternative distribution of information outside of website via canvassing & community forums. Accessibility for the Visually Impaired (audio accessibility, braille, larger font, etc.). Including online and onsite in public schools and public facilities For DCPS/DCPCSB to provide detailed letters to each school with explicit information regarding lead levels. Progress reports on lead levels, at the very least biannual reports.

Original Supporters of our Legislative Recommendations ● ● ● ●

Environmental Justice Committee, DC Sierra Club Chapter Empower DC The Black Swan Academy NAACP DC Environmental & Climate Justice Committee

Black Millennials for Flint Advocacy Timeline March 2016

DCPS parents & families received notifications that elevated lead levels were detected in their students’ drinking water

September 2016

Interview with General Manager of DC Water with BM4F President on We Act Radio

June 2016

April 2016

BM4F began organizing and coalition building to advocate for immediate corrective action from DGS & DC Council

BM4F organized a #NoLeadZone Canvassing Day in DC Ward 7 & 8 educating residents on the lead issues plaguing DC schools. BM4F also testified at the initial DC Public Hearing: Lead in Public Facilities. We also organized a Community Action Summit.

March 2017

BM4F organized a Women’s History Month Reproductive Rights Canvassing Day to educate mothers in DC Ward 7 & 8 regarding the impacts of lead exposure.

April 2017

Coalition Meeting with Councilwoman Mary Cheh’s Legislative Counsel to discuss final legislative recommendations

July 2016

BM4F made a public statement before the DC State Board of Education

July 2017

The DC Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Act of 2017 passed with a unanimous vote from DC Council

Our Triumphs How will the DC Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017 become a victory for DC Children?

Legislative Wins for Reducing Childhood Lead Exposure ● ● ● ● ● ●

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Locates all drinking water sources at each public and charter school and install barcodes on each drinking water source. Installs a filter that reduces lead in drinking water source in each public school and maintain filters, at a minimum, in a manner consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Ensures conspicuous signs near each water source at public schools that is not a drinking water source, which includes an image that clearly communicates that the water should not be used for cooking or consumed. Provides an annual schedule for testing drinking water sources at each public schools to DCPS for distribution. Each parent or guardian should receive notice at the start of each school year. Implements a process to shut off drinking water within 24 hours until the water is beneath 5 parts per billion. Publish on the DGS website a list of drinking water sources in each public school, including dates of the most recent lead test, date of the filter’s installation, date of when the filter will be replaced, barcode identification number, and remediation steps that will be or have been taken. Ensures Child Development Facilities install filters that reduces lead in drinking water on each drinking water source. Ensures Child Development Facilities notify parents and guardians within 5 days of the remediation steps to address elevated lead concentration, among other items.

Strategic Legislative Results Bill History

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Bill Introduction

8 Councilmembers

Voting Summary

13 Councilmembers voted in favor for the bill. No one opposed

Bill Timeline

7 months to develop and vote on the bill

Amount of Affected Population

Over 90,454 students1

BM4F compelled DC Council to expedite the legislative process and provide additional transparency with the impetus that the demands should be treated as an urgent matter. 1

According to an enrollment audit of Washington D.C.’s Office of the State Superintendent of Schools, the general education student population was 90,454, for the period ending October 5, 2016. This audit was performed by Gardiner Kamya & Associates PC.

How did our legislative recommendations show up in the bill? BM4F Legislative Recommendations

To publish the results of environmental testing and remediation efforts within 5 business days of receiving test results or taking remedial action.

To translate the lead-related documents on the DGS website into the six languages, as stated by the Language Access Law, so more district residents and families can understand this information.

To provide transparency and consistency in the strategy and data for testing with the type of filters used (the vendor and life cycle including date that the filter was replaced and next replacement date.

Presence in DC Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017


To provide appropriate public signage of the results, posted in universally accessible graphics/visual imagery, or infographics.

To provide contact Information via DGS Website/Distributed Information (actual person opposed to a catchall email that fields outstanding questions & concerns)

To provide alternative distribution of information outside of website via canvassing & community forums.



Accessibility for the Visually Impaired (audio accessibility, braille, larger font, etc.). Including online and onsite in public schools and public facilities

For DCPS/DCPCSB to provide detailed letters to each school with explicit information regarding lead levels.

Progress reports on lead levels, at the very least biannual reports.


How did our legislative recommendations show up in the bill?

89% 8 out of 9 (89%) of Black Millennials for Flint’s Recommendations were included in the DC Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017

Strategic Advocacy How do we plan to continue our advocacy to protect children in DC?

Strategic Advocacy Community Development ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

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Educating community members of the new legislation Training local residents on how to advocate for additional transparency Notifying parents and children of the dangers of lead Providing educational resources to visually-impaired and bilingual communities Hosting a community action summit to introduce new governmental standards and expectations Developing key partnerships with like-minded community organizations Partnering with relevant entities to ensure the legislation is fully implemented

Accountability ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

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Collecting data to measure water quality Ensuring legislative priorities are fully funded Ensuring government entities are compliant with new standards Reevaluate the effectiveness of current technology Ensuring African-American and Latino communities receive adequate support Following up on communities and organizations to ensure remediation efforts are realized Commit efforts to ensure D.C. is moving toward eradicating lead water in all schools and child care facilities

Contact Us How can people and/organizations inquire more about Black Millennials for Flint?

Contact Information Website: www.blackmillennials4flint.org Email: [email protected] Facebook Instagram [@blackmillennials4flint] Twitter [@BM4Flint]