Housing Health Training Program

ABOUT US

HHTP is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accredited training provider. Under the Directorship of Dr. Nicole Oretsky, Savannah State University hosts and facilitates the U.S. Environmental Agency's (EPA) Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Final Rule (40 CFR 745).   Course Provision:  * Lead Inspector * Lead Risk Assessor * Lead Abatement Worker * Lead Abatement Supervisor * Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Final Rule    HHTP Goals and Objectives: • Set Standards in Housing Health Training • Reduce Savannah’s Lead Burden • Educate communities about Environmental Lead Hazards • Implement Workforce Development for Marginalized Communities

HHTP is an integral part of SSU’s Urban Studies and Environmental Justice Project (USEJ). The Project addresses the relationship between the socio-spatial distribution of environmental risk and disparities in health outcomes experienced by low income communities. The current strategic focus concerns lead hazards in Savannah’s older inner-city neighborhoods. USEJ activity modules include workforce development, curriculum design, community outreach and applied research.

HHTP is the workforce development module of USEJ. The not-for-profit program is dedicated to reducing Savannah's lead burden. In collaboration with our community partners, HHTP staff conducts outreach to local renovators and contractors, offering opportunities for grant subsidies and certification. All training fees are recycled toward SSU's ongoing lead hazard and health disparities research, and USEJ Honoraria and Fellowships.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Nicole Oretsky, Director

Social Sciences Building, Room 228
oretskyn@savannahstate.edu

(912) 358-3217

Bonnie Maurras, Program Manager

HousingHealth@savannahstate.edu
(912) 358-3220

HHTP OFFICE

Erica Dyal

Shanae Hudson

USEJ/HHTP Interns 2012/2013

HousingHealth@savannahstate.edu
(912) 358-3220

INSTRUCTORS

Dana Ingram, Executive Director

JC Vision and Associates

Larry Miles, President

Arrowood Environmental Group

Maria Wargovich, Regional Lead Coordinator

Coastal Health District, Georgia

LOCATION

Classes are held in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teaching facility located in the Hubert A Building on campus.

To find us, use the Virtual interactive map:
http://www.savannahstate.edu/map/interactive/

USEJ HONORARIA AND FELLOWSHIPS

USEJ offers Honoraria for select students and community partners to attend HHTP training. In order to support the on-going certification of SSU students in lead hazard control, each semester, honoraria are awarded to interns participating in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Infrastructure for Minority Institutions (RIMI) grant.

USEJ Fellowships are awarded to outstanding SSU graduate students working in environmental justice. Application eligibility criteria include: enrollment in a related field such as Urban Studies and Planning, Environmental Science and Marine Science; 3.6 GPA; research experience; and two above average academic references.

***USEJ Fellowship applications are now available for 2011.

SSU Honoraria Recipients

Jacqueline Caldwell

Dr. Simone Charles
Eric Corbett
Grant Deal

Dr. Deborah Fonteneau

Andrea Glover

William Grayson
Emerald Haynes

Kim Hurell

Trinikia Johnson

LaShaun Lovett

Adil Khan

Jason Kotarski
Olivia McIntosh
Rachel Raines

Lisa Sanchez

Rahja Sharpe
Nakia Starling

2011 USEJ Fellow

Courtney Pegus

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND

HEALTH DISPARITIES

In American cities, environmentally-based health disparities are common across racial and class lines. Inner-city minority and low income communities are disproportionately affected by air, water and soil pollution. Inadequate abatement of negative externalities from historical industrial manufacturing activities has left a toxic environmental legacy. Older and under-maintained housing is a source of health disparities due to higher frequencies of exposure to lead and other industrial toxins, mold, and pests; lack of adequate insulation and modern heating or air conditioning; and health threats such as hypertension and other stress-related illnesses due to housing insecurity and slumlord activity. In addition, due to spatial and socioeconomic segregation, disadvantaged communities have unequal access to such environmental goods as fresh, nutritious food; green parks and outdoor recreation facilities; health care clinics and quality schools, public transportation, and secure employment. In other words, where people live, in many ways, affects their life chances. Place matters and it is an issue of environmental justice.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Chatham County Health Department

Housing Department

City of Savannah

Georgia Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Georgia Department of Public Health

Georgia Coastal Health District

JC Vision and Associates

Lead and Asbestos Program

Georgia Environmental Protection Division

SSU HUD HBCU Community Development Grant

in partnership with the

City of Savannah, Moses Jackson Center