Figure 1. Map of Cooperative Agreement
The Office of Urban Affairs coordinates the
States
agency's efforts on issues related to environ-
mental justice, minority health, and Brownfields
sites.
The ATSDR ombudsman provides an indepen-
dent, neutral resource for all parties concerned
with environmental health disputes involving
ATSDR. Finding common ground to establish a
workable agreement between each faction is the
ombudsman's primary objective.
ATSDR's Washington Office links the agency
with other executive branch departments and
agencies and the legislative branch of govern-
PA 98064 Cooperative
PA 607 Cooperative
ment. This office enables ATSDR to respond
agreement states
agreement states
quickly to issues raised in Congress, other
federal agencies, and nongovernmental organi-
Focusing on Communities
zations that are involved with agency programs.
During fiscal year 2000, ATSDR continued its
Partnership with States
emphasis on working with people in communi-
ties to resolve their public health concerns about
ATSDR's 607 Cooperative Agreement Program
hazardous substances from waste sites or spills.
provides funds and technical oversight for
Three ATSDR units--the Office of Urban
participating states to conduct health assess-
Affairs, the Community Involvement Branch,
ments, consultations, and studies, as well as to
and the Office of Tribal Affairs--have a special
provide health education in communities near
focus on working with communities and are
hazardous waste sites. (See Figure 1.) Staff
promoting innovative ways of involving people
members in participating state health depart-
in environmental health decisions in their
ments use ATSDR guidance for conducting
communities. ATSDR's work with communities
public health assessments, consultations, and
was highlighted in a special issue of the interna-
studies. Through the partnership, state staff
tional journal, Environmental Epidemiology and
members receive training and experience in
Toxicology (AprilSeptember 2000). The issue
assessing the public health impact of hazardous
highlighted the evaluation of health hazards in
waste sites and have access to ATSDR's scien-
communities exposed to environmental toxins.
tific resources. In fiscal year 2000, the program
provided about .9 million to 23 states.
Office of Urban Affairs
ATSDR provided about 0,000 to five
ATSDR's Office of Urban Affairs has funded
additional states under Program Announcement
four community-based demonstration projects
98064, another program that allows for ATSDR
in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and
support of states conducting health assessments
Tennessee through its cooperative agreement
and consultations and health education activities.
with the Minority Health Professions Founda-
tion. They represent Phase II demonstration
projects of ATSDR's Mississippi Delta project
12 Agency Profile
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