Lead-based Paint Renovation Training

Title: Lead-based Paint Renovation Training Project for Region 5 Project Background The prevalence of childhood lead poisoning in the U.S. continues to present a problem, especially in underserved communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 24 children (4.2 %) in America, in 2014, have elevated levels of lead in their blood greater than or equal to 5 micrograms per deciliter, largely because about 30 million American homes still contain lead-based paint, and those dwellings in disrepair are a major source of exposure. The City of Chicago, Illinois, and other major metropolitan areas in Region 5 have some of the highest incident rates of elevated blood-lead levels in the country, higher than the national rate of lead poisoning. In addition, the current situation in Flint, Michigan, has created opportunity to implement solutions that can ultimately eliminate lead exposures. In 2008, EPA expanded its regulatory capacity through adoption and implementation of its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule to prevent and control exposures to lead-based paint and dust. Specifically, the RRP regulation requires contractors to be certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices when performing renovations in older (pre-1978) homes. EPA expects that implementing the lead-safe work practices required under the RRP regulation will help control and eliminate lead paint hazards, provide for lead-safe housing, and help eradicate this preventable childhood disease. Training Objective The ultimate objective of the project is to decrease the number of children with elevated blood-lead levels in older housing stock in these cities and neighborhoods. To eliminate exposure to lead-based paint through proper renovation, there is a greater demand for certified RRP specialists. With this training, there will be an increase in the number of professionally certified renovators in Chicago and several other environmental justice communities in Region 5, and by using the skills learned during the training, renovators will be able to conduct renovation activities in a manner which results in less children and adults being exposed to lead-based paint hazards from the renovation activities. This training will also help provide local residents with knowledge and skills for meaningful employment. Scope of Work 1) A contractor, an EPA-accredited trainer (hereinafter referred to as ¿trainer¿), will conduct at least five training classes on EPA¿s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). At least one training class will be located in environmental justice communities in each following five Region 5 cities: Chicago, IL, Gary, IN, Detroit, MI, Flint, MI, and Cleveland, OH. In addition, consideration will be given to having a class in a Spanish speaking community, presented in Spanish, in one of the cities depending on the city and/or community organization needs. 2) The trainer is responsible for providing and/or using the facility, advertising, EPA Model training materials, certified instructor(s), and training certificate/registration, and complying with applicable State and/or local requirements. 3) The trainer must contact and work closely with the local county, city, and community organizations to announce the training and secure a local community facility for the training. The announcements for the training will be conducted with a preference for residents and workers in the communities in which the training is taking place, and will include the following statement: ¿This training is being funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 Office in Chicago, Illinois.¿ 4) The trainer must meet with EPA prior to initiating the project and submit a progress report to EPA every two weeks, by email. 5) The trainer must also follow-up with the students or the local county, city, and/or community organizations after completion of the training to identify if students were able to secure any jobs with the new RRP training and certifications. This must be done within one month from the date that the training was conducted. 6) The trainer will train 125 students under this contract. The trainer will seek to have average class sizes of 25 students in the 5 communities. 7) The training will be free for the 125 students trained under this contract. The funds under this contract will be used to cover the students¿ training and certification, in addition to covering the provisions identified in the preceding paragraph. 8) The training will include, but is not limited to background information on the hazards of lead contamination; the need for lead safe work practices; site preparation; proper handling and disposal of the material; HUD and OSHA requirements; administration of paperwork; testing; and other city, state, and federal requirements. Upon successful completion of the training, trainees will receive certification under the RRP from the trainer. 9) All of the training classes will be conducted by August 31, 2017, with completion of the project, including the follow-up with the students or local county, city, and/or community organization, as specified in item 5, above, by September 30, 2017. 10) The training must be conducted by the recipient of this contract, and cannot be sub-contracted to another trainer. Trainer Information Trainers for this project (also considered contractors for the purpose of this project) will be selected from a list of training providers that have been accredited (approved) by Region 5 with the following conditions. The trainers must be accredited to provide training on the RRP, have a sufficient number of principal instructors, and be accredited to train at non-permanent facilities which are consistent with the site selection criteria in their approved application. The selection of trainers for this project will be based on the quality of their proposals, technical knowledge, training experience, compliance history, and the bids. Period of Performance and Completion Date All of the training classes will be conducted by August 31, 2017, with completion of the project, including the follow-up with the students or local county, city, and/or community organization, as specified in item 5, above, by September 30, 2017. Applicable Documents: 1. EPA Federal Register. Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program, Final Rule, 40 CFR Part 745, April 22, 2008. 2. EPA/HUD Model Renovator Course. Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair, and Painting. (Instructor Manual EPA-740-R-09-001) (Student Manual EPA-740-R-09-002). October 2011. Both of the above documents are available at www.epa.gov/lead Contact More information can be obtained from, David Turpin, EPA Region 5¿s Regional Lead Coordinator at +1 (555) 000-0000.