October 7, 2026 Partners
Community Energy Project 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 fingerprick blood tests to look for elevated blood lead level (EBLL) for any child or pregnant person. 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 support families with young children. Lead exposure can seriously harm a child’s health with effects such as damage to the brain and nervous system, along with slowed growth and development. Also, children from low-income households are 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 information provided in CEP’s workshops has helped at least one WIC family navigate a dangerous situation. “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.”
“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!”
