Healthy Housing

Lead Screening For Children

• Lead Screening and Referral Guidelines 2007

According to the law, all Rhode Island Children under the age of six should be screened for lead at least once a year. The only way to know if a child is lead poisoned is to have the child tested for lead. Doctors should order a screening for lead at the child's regular check-up. Lead screening is a covered health benefit for insurers based in Rhode Island.
For blood lead screening for non-insured or under-insured children please contact the following places:

• Child's Primary Care Provider 
  The child's regular doctor is the best source for all medical services.
• St. Joseph Hospital (401) 456-4310 21 Peace St., Providence Offers free screening to uninsured children.
• RIte Care (English) (401) 462-1300 (Spanish) (401) 462-1500 Provides state sponsored low or no cost health insurance for eligible families and children.
• RI Family Advocacy Program strives to improve the overall health of RI children from low income families through an innovative collaboration of academic, legal, medical and community based organizations

Medical Treatment For Lead Poisoned Children

Medical treatment is primarily the responsibility of the child's doctor. When a child is poisoned the pediatrician will tell the parents about the help and treatments available for the child. The pediatrician can continue to treat the child or refer to one of the Lead Clinics listed below.

• Child's Primary Care Provider
  The child's regular doctor is the best source for all medical services.
• St. Joseph Hospital Lead Clinic (401) 456-4310 21 Peace St., Providence
• Memorial Hospital Lead Clinic (401) 729-2582 111 Brewster St., Pawtucket

Case Management

All lead poisoned children are referred for non-medical case management and education. This ensures that families receive the care they need in a coordinated manner. The following organizations provide case management services for lead poisoned children and their families:

St. Joseph Hospital Lead Safe Center
21 Peace Street 5th Floor, East Providence, RI 02907
456-4548 (Mary Mournier)
Service Area: Providence

Blackstone Valley Community Action Lead Center (BVCAP)
32 Goff Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
723-4520 x 248 (Cindy Paliotto)
Service Area:
Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Foster Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, Pawtucket, North Smithfield, North Providence, Scituate, Smithfield, Woonsocket

East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP)
19 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
848-6697
Service Area:
Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Warren

Westbay Community Action Lead Center
205 Buttonwoods Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886
732-4660
Service Area:
Charlestown, Coventry, Cranston, East Greenwich, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, Warwick, Westerly, West Greenwich, West Warwick