October 8, 2026 Partners
CEP regularly partners with community organizations to deliver Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes workshops. One of these organizations is Multnomah County’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC). WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to low-income families.
CEP and WIC have partnered to serve Multnomah County families for nearly 20 years. The organizations first connected when Multnomah County’s Leadline provided finger-prick blood tests to screen children and pregnant people for elevated blood lead levels (EBLL). WIC asked CEP to deliver educational workshops during the testing events to provide community members with education, resources, and blood tests all in one place.
That partnership has continued, thanks to a shared commitment to protecting the health and well-being of families with young children. Lead exposure can seriously harm a child’s health, including damage to the brain and nervous system and slowed growth and development. Children from low-income households are also at a greater risk of exposure.
According to Karrie Klee, Nutrition Assistant with WIC, “CEP workshops are so important for our WIC community because toddlers and babies often put things in their mouths. They are on the floor, and toys have lead, etc. WIC is a huge piece of keeping our families informed.”
The importance of this education was illustrated when one WIC family faced a potential lead poisoning emergency. “When a toddler swallowed a lead fishing weight,” said Karrie, “his parents understood the importance of working with the doctor, and I believe were in touch with the Lead Partners.”
Beyond providing information to families, the partnership also helps WIC staff stay informed about lead exposure risks and connect with trusted resources when questions arise.
“Partnering with the Lead Program has been extremely valuable over the years,” said Karrie. “The continuous connection reminds WIC staff about the importance of lead exposure and how our clients are at risk, which keeps us informed to better serve our families. I personally appreciate being able to reach out to our partners whenever I have a question or concern!”
