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Milwaukee Health Department unveils lead program

Posted at 4:12 PM, Jul 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-16 17:34:12-04

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee's Health Department now has a plan to turn the lead program around. The department's director, Bevan Baker, resigned in January, leading to an investigation that found many issues in the lead program.

The I-Team got a draft copy of the corrective plan Friday. The plan was required by the state after their investigation. The draft includes steps like writing down policies, making sure the department follows current law, hiring more people and giving clear job descriptions, and getting organized to prevent any more children from falling through the cracks.

When Baker resigned, the mayor cited "mismanagement" as the reason lead poisoned children didn't get appropriate interventions from Milwaukee's Health Department.

Right before baker resigned, a former employee wrote an email to aldermen and the mayor saying he felt threatened, had safety concerns, and issues with unclear job expectations.

Some of the action steps are due to be completed this year, some by the end of next year. The state Department of Health Services said they had no comment on the report at this time. 

You can see the full corrective plan here.