2025 Western Regional Lead and Healthy Housing Conference
Embassy Suites Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
This comprehensive two-day conference brought together leading experts, policymakers, and advocates in the fight against lead poisoning and the promotion of healthy housing for all communities. Featuring regulatory updates, funding opportunities, lead hazard control strategies, and healthy housing initiatives.
Schedule and Session Descriptions
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Opening General Session – Regulatory Issues and Funding Opportunities
Imperial Ballroom
Moderator: Larry Brooks, Director Emeritus, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Regulatory Issues
Update on California Department of Public Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch Activities
California's Takeover of EPA's RRP Rule and Changes to Title 17
The New EPA Rule on Dust Hazard Standards and Post-abatement Clearance Standards and How the Rule Impacts on Procedures and Costs
Presenters:
- Max Weintraub, Renovation Section Manager, CLPPB, California Department of Public Health
- Carrie McNeil, Manager, CLPPB, California Department of Public Health
- Tom Neltner, National Director, Unleaded Kids
- Michael C. Sharp, Senior Safety Officer, Janus Corporation
Funding Opportunities
Presenters:
- Tom Neltner, National Director, Unleaded Kids
- Matt Ammon, Director, HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
Lunch Provided
Two Concurrent Educational Tracks
Times indicated below are approximate
Track #1 on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lead Hazard Identification and Control Issues
Imperial Ballroom
Moderator: Michael C. Sharp, Senior Safety Officer, Janus Corporation
Part 1: Lead in Consumer Products: Improving Policies to adequately reduce the risk of lead exposure to consumers in the United States
(2:00 – 2:45 p.m.)
Presenter: Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director of Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevention Program, Center for Environmental Health
Part 2: Local Targeted Hire Program
(2:45 – 3:30 p.m.)
Presenter: Maria Torres, Supervisor, Los Angeles Community Development Agency
Part 3: EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements: Implications for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Community
(3:30 – 4:15 p.m.)
Presenter: Tom Neltner, National Director, Unleaded Kids Organization
Part 4: Non-housing exposure sources
(4:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
Presenters:
- Katie Gulyas, CLPPP Coordinator, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
- Marilen Biding, Community Outreach Nurse/Case Manager, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Track #2 on Healthy and Safe Housing Issues
Regency Ballroom
Moderator: Larry Brooks, Director Emeritus, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Part 1: Assessing asthma triggers, including wildfire smoke, in occupied buildings
(2:00 – 2:45 p.m.)
Presenter: Queen Eze, Healthy Breathing Project Manager, Esperanza Community Housing Organization
Part 2: Collaborating with local code enforcement officials to support lead and healthy housing programs
(2:45 – 3:30 p.m.)
Presenters:
- Larry Brooks, Director Emeritus, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
- Orlando Givens, Senior Code Enforcement Officer, Monarch Consulting Services
- Ceci Muela, President, Monarch Consulting Services
Part 3: Racial Equality Impact Analysis: Disparities in Lead Poisoning and Prevention Efforts
(3:30 – 4:15 p.m.)
Presenter: Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias, Principal, Environmental Justice Solutions
Part 4: Equitable Strategies and Tools for Healthy Housing Workforce Development
(4:15 – 5:00 p.m.)
Presenter: Janell Hills-Thomas, Director, Equitable Workforce Strategies
Networking Reception and Exhibit Viewing
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Two Concurrent Educational Tracks Continued
Times indicated below are approximate
Educational Track #1 on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Lead Hazard Control Issues
Imperial Ballroom
Moderator: Michael C. Sharp, Senior Safety Officer, Janus Corporation
Parts 1 and 2: Examining New Lead Rules in CA and how they may affect construction and maintenance work
(8:30 – 11:00 a.m.)
Presenter: Michael C. Sharp, Senior Safety Officer, Janus Corporation
Part 3: Engaging Communities for Lead Awareness
(11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Presenters:
- Angela Baranco, US EPA Region 9
- Natalie Long, US EPA Region 9
Part 4: Blood lead screening and universal testing legislation: national overview and gaps in state regulations
(12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)
Presenter: Katie Gulyas, CLPPP Coordinator, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Educational Track #2 on Healthy and Safe Housing Issues
Regency Ballroom
Moderator: Larry Brooks, Director Emeritus, Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Part 1: Lessons Learned by a Small County Taking on the HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Grant
(8:30 – 9:15 a.m.)
Presenters:
- Rick Heinrichs, Supervising REHS, HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Program Director, Fresno County
- Bee Vang, REHS III, HUD Lead Hazard Reduction Program Manager, Fresno County
Part 2: Indoor Environmental Quality and Allergens
(9:15 – 10:00 a.m.)
Presenters:
- Rebecca Schiffer, Local Director, Forensic Analytical Consulting Services
- Madeleine Dangazyan, Sr. Project Manager, Forensic Analytical Consulting Services
Part 3: Breathing Easy: Enhancing Respiratory Health through Safe Housing and Community Programs
(10:00 – 11:00 a.m.)
Presenters:
- Jacqueline Vazquez, Program Manager, Breathe Southern California
- Anne Kelsey Lamb, Director, Regional Asthma Management & Prevention
Part 4: Using data to evaluate community environmental exposures
(11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Presenters:
- Kevin Kennedy, Environmental Health Scientist, Healthy Indoors Training and Consulting, LLC
- Neal Wilson, Associate Director, Center for Economic Information – University of Missouri Kansas City
Part 5: Turning Justice into Action: Leveraging Lead Paint Settlement Funds for Safer Homes
(12:00 – 1:00 p.m.)
Presenter: Janet Scully, Program Manager, LA County Department of Health
Conference Adjourns
Exhibitors
Conference Presenters
Matthew Ammon
Director
Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon
Senior Director of Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevention Program
Center for Environmental Health
Angela Baranco
Regional Lead Paint Program Coordinator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9
Marilen Biding
Community Outreach Nurse/Nurse Case Manager
Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Lawrence Brooks
Director Emeritus
Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Madeleine Dangazyan
Senior Project Manager
Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS)
Queen Eze
Healthy Breathing Project Manager
Esperanza Community Housing Organization
Orlando Givens
Senior Code Enforcement Officer
Monarch Consulting Services
Katie Gulyas
CLPPP Coordinator
Alameda County Healthy Homes Department
Janell Hills-Thomas
Sr. Director, Equitable Workforce Strategies
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Richard (Rick) Heinrichs
Supervising Environmental Health Specialist
Fresno County Department of Public Health
Kevin Kennedy
Environmental Health Scientist
Healthy Indoors Training and Consulting, LLC
Anne Kelsey Lamb
Director
Regional Asthma Management & Prevention (RAMP)
Natalie Long
Lead-Based Paint Program Team Member
US EPA Region 9
Carrie McNeil
Manager, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
California Department of Public Health
Rebecca Schiffer
Local Director
Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS)
Janet Scully
Program Manager
Office of Environmental Justice and Climate Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Marybelle Nzegwu Tobias
Principal
Environmental/Justice Solutions
Maria Torres
Supervisor, Community Development Division
Lead Free Homes Los Angeles Program, Los Angeles County Development Authority
Bee Vang
Environmental Health Specialist, Lead Hazard Control Program
Fresno County Department of Public Health
Jaqueline Vazquez
BEAM Program Manager
Breathe Southern California
Max Weintraub
Renovation Section Manager, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch
California Department of Public Health
Neal Wilson
Associate Director
Center for Economic Information, University of Missouri - Kansas City
Thank You
Attendees & Participants
The 2025 Regional Lead & Healthy Housing Conference has successfully concluded. We extend our sincere gratitude to all attendees, speakers, presenters, and participants whose engagement and contributions made this event a resounding success.
Sponsors & Partners
We express our deep appreciation to our generous sponsors and partners whose invaluable support was essential in bringing this conference to life. Your commitment to advancing lead poisoning prevention and healthy housing initiatives drives meaningful change.
We hope you found the sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities valuable. We look forward to continuing this important work together and invite you to join us at our upcoming conferences as we advance the mission of creating safer, healthier living environments for all communities.
Upcoming Conferences
Register today to secure your spot at these upcoming conferences