This semester, MPH Professor Dr. Dawn Ford received a grant with TDEC to raise awareness of preventing childhood lead exposure. Dr. Ford and many MPH Students were able to work with Tennessee Department of Human Services-licensed childcare facilities in Hamilton, Bradley and Marion counties to test their drinking water for lead to provide education about this free service and the importance of lead testing to state-licensed childcare centers and increase participation among the childcare centers so that lead concentration levels at point-of-use drinking water outlets can be determined. If any of the samples come back elevated, they work with the facility to help them apply for money from the state to help them remove the pollutants (such as replacing a faucet). Students have learned important public health skills through this grant such as health communication, research and promoting health in the community.