Corbett Administration Official Receives Children's Environmental Health Community Award

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Departments of Public Welfare and Education announced today that Barbara Minzenberg, deputy secretary of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), has received the Ninth Annual Children's Environmental Health Community Award.

This award, presented by the Washington, D.C.-based Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN), is given to dedicated individuals and groups who help promote healthy environments for developing children, mostly through protection against environmental health hazards.

Minzenberg led state agencies in teaming up with The Heinz Endowments to launch The Healthy & Green Initiative, a 3-year, statewide initiative to make Pennsylvania early learning providers some of the most environmentally healthy and environmentally friendly in the country.

"We are so proud of Barbara's work and the partnerships she has helped to create to improve the health and safety of our children," Department of Public Welfare Secretary Bev Mackereth said. "This represents yet another step we've taken to help Pennsylvania's children to be the healthiest and best prepared possible."

The Healthy & Green Initiative has made Pennsylvania the first state in the nation to align environmental health and safety with conservation efforts. Funding from Heinz Endowments provided mini-grants up to $5,000 to use for efforts such as radon mitigation and addressing problems with drinking water or air quality.  The first round of mini grants awarded nearly $200,000 to providers, and the state anticipates awarding another $285,000 over the next two years. 

For more information, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us or call 1-800-692-7462.

Media contact: Diana Fishlock, DPW, 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare