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March 6, 2024
Louisville Accelerator Post
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This issue focuses on the priority area of Healthy Louisville/Healthy Neighborhoods, which received $64.4 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The projects in this area cover a broad range of subjects like parks, libraries, broadband and early learning. Although there are many working pieces to early learning, this issue will spotlight several of the playgrounds made possible by ARP funding, as well as the lead free Louisville project and the efforts being put forth to ensure a brighter future for the children of Louisville and Jefferson County. |
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Project Spotlight: Lead Free Louisville
Louisville Metro Government's Department of Public Health & Wellness and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, using American Rescue Plan funding, has partnered with many agencies across the city to provide public health and wellness services to its citizens. From providing daycares with personal protective equipment during the pandemic to making our homes healthier with Lead Free Louisville, these agencies are working diligently to improve the health and quality of life for Louisvillians.
 Childhood Lead Poisoning
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Lead Free Louisville
Through Lead Free Louisville, there will be an increase in awareness for childhood lead poisoning prevention along with testing of children for high blood lead levels, testing of
homes and rental units, and remediation of lead contaminants. The overall impact will be a decrease in home and rental units with environmental toxins, decrease in children with high blood lead levels, and more actively engaged citizens focused on the rights of tenants to live in safe and healthy homes. Since the beginning of the project in April 2023, over 500 kits have been given out. Lead Free Louisville
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Effects of Lead Exposure
From 2005 to 2021, nearly 10,000 children in Louisville tested positive for elevated blood-lead levels. Data shows children living in the northwest area of the city are almost 10 times at greater risk for developing lead poisoning than those living in other areas. Many homes in that area were built before 1978. Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint or other lead hazards. There are five ZIP codes in Louisville that have the highest concentration of housing built before 1978: 40203, 40210, 40211, 40212, 40215.
Environmental Protection Agency-Lead
 Consequences of Lead Exposure
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What Can YOU Do?
If you are a pregnant or have children under the age of six living in a home built before 1978, contact your healthcare provider to ask to be screened for lead in your blood. If you think you may live in a home with lead paint, you can pay to have someone perform a Certified Risk Assessment of the home. If you are a contractor or builder or work on homes built before 1978, you need to be especially mindful during renovations or demolitions to ensure you don’t disturb or create lead hazards. There are certain State and Federal regulations that need to be followed when completing any work on a pre-1978 home or child-occupied facility to reduce the risk of lead poisoning due to renovations. Contact us for a free home lead test kit and consultation at 502-574-6644.
Lead Poisoning Prevention
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 Lead Facts
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Project Spotlight: Early Childhood-Playgrounds |
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Why is play so important?
According to The National Association for the Education of Young Children, "Outdoor play creates opportunities for social interaction and collaboration, promotes physical and mental health, it invites children to learn science, and promotes better sleep. Many, if not all, of these goals are better served when children play in the natural environment with access to natural materials.” National Association for the Education of Young Children
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 YMCA Southeast Branch - Playground Ribbon Cutting
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YMCA of Greater Louisville will engage and serve up to 120 families with children from 6 weeks to age 5 to participate in early learning activities at five sites in Louisville, including four YMCA locations. Spanish-speaking early childhood educators have been hired to make the learning activities accessible to more families. The Early Learning Readiness Program helps parents, as their children’s first teacher, to reach the developmental, educational and physical milestones, while increasing the health and well-being of the entire family. To learn more, visit YMCA
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 Waterfront Development Corporation - Playport Design
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With the Playport at Waterfront Park, the Waterfront Development Corporation is creating a safe, innovative, outdoor play space that cultivates curiosity, motivation and engagement with a range of active learning opportunities. Once installed, this area will not only provide a space for children and families to play and explore but also pay homage to the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the Ohio River. To learn more, visit Our Waterfront
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Metro United Way in partnership with Community Coordinated Child Care 4-C is working to bring elements of natural playgrounds to at least ten child care providers in Jefferson Co. This opportunity is open to both center-based providers as well as family child care homes to improve outdoor play spaces with elements like, mud kitchens, water tables, sand areas, or garden boxes. Providers in Jefferson County Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) are being prioritized for this opportunity and will work directly with 4-C staff to design and implement elements of natural play that work best for their physical space and the needs of the children they serve. Our goal is to increase access to natural outdoor play opportunities for children through their child care provider especially in neighborhoods who may currently have limited access. La Casita Center (pictured below), located at 223 E. Magnolia Avenue, along with Play Cousins Collective are getting full buildouts. There are 10 additional childcare center playground sites that are receiving a smaller version, getting created or redone, with the support of Metro United Way, along with funding from the American Rescue Plan.
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These sites will include some or all of the following features:
- Art and Music Walls
- Climbing
- Swings
- Slide Hill
- Obstacles/Furniture
- Mud Kitchen
- Pathways
- Sandpits
- Shade Sails
If you're interested in learning more about the La Casita Playground or the other Metro United Way playgrounds funded by ARP, please visit Metro United Way
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Contact the Louisville Accelerator Team:
745 W. Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-5280
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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