Funding Sources and Covered Activities
Funding for this program comes from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). North Carolina state legislatures and public health officials have allocated these funds to address lead and asbestos hazards where children learn and play.
Funding is available to test for lead in water, lead-based paint, and asbestos, and to mitigate hazards if any are identified.
All testing and inspection activities are FREE for participating facilities.
Funding is also available to either fully or partially offset the cost of mitigation, if hazards are identified.
Funding for Lead in Water Hazard Mitigation
If lead is detected at or above the state hazard level of 10 parts per billion (ppb) in drinking or cooking water taps, funding for low-cost mitigation is fully covered for both public schools and child care facilities, while funding lasts. There is no facility match requirement for mitigating lead in drinking and cooking water.
If you work with our program, we cover the full cost of products and labor to mitigate any taps with lead levels at or above the state hazard level. If you choose to use an external plumbing contractor instead of our program's plumbers, you can request reimbursement for up to $1,000 of labor charges.
Funding for Lead-Based Paint and Asbestos Hazard Mitigation
Funding for mitigating lead-based paint and asbestos hazards is partially or fully covered for participating facilities, while funding lasts.
Public schools can request reimbursement from NC DHHS for up to 2/3rds of the costs of lead-based paint and asbestos mitigation activities. There is no facility match requirement for child care facilities—eligible lead-based paint and asbestos mitigation activities are fully covered for child care facilities. Facilities can request reimbursement for these mitigation activities online.