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Department of Health and Human Services —
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health
Program Description
Mission
Among other things, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) studies and addresses the environmental causes of human health concerns, and tries to link its basic research, community outreach, and worker-training programs to EPA’s Brownfields Program.
NIEHS contributes biomedical, public health, environmental research and training programs for those engaged in environmental efforts such as cleanup and remediation. NIEHS also provides outreach and education to the public and other organizations regarding these issues. NIEHS commits to continuing to administer and fund the Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment to increase workforce development opportunities for residents surrounding brownfields communities and linking other program grantees with brownfields communities to address other worker-training needs and issues.
Brownfields Connections
- Conducts pilot programs to recruit minority workers to the environmental field under the Minority Worker Training Program (MWTP) and the Brownfields Minority Worker Training Programs (BMWTP) — currently targeted to five academic institutions and training consortia.
- Provides grants to organizations to develop model occupational safety and health training for workers who perform dangerous jobs in hazardous waste management and remediation — targeted to non profit organizations with an established track record of conducting health and safety training.
- Provides grants to for-profit companies under the Advanced Training Technology (ATT) program — ATT products targeted to companies employing HAZMAT workers, emergency responders, and small business participants in the Small Businesses Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs.
- Conducts research and outreach on environmental hazards and cleanup technologies targeting Superfund sites and other sites such as brownfields.
Resources
Technical Assistance
NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program (WETP)
These training grants provide model occupational safety and health training for workers and their supervisors who perform dangerous jobs in hazardous waste management and remediation programs.
Website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/
Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program (HWWTP)
The NIEHS WETP has established an effective national framework to develop and provide comprehensive training that is needed to address Superfund cleanups, chemical emergency responses, RCRA corrective actions and environmental restoration.
Eligibility Requirements: Only nonprofit organizations providing worker health and safety education and training may submit an application. This includes universities, faith-based or community-based organizations and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Limitations: A request for applications (RFA) is released every five years. The next RFA will be released in 2009.
Availability: In fiscal year 2005, approximately $26,500,000 was allocated to continue support efforts to train hazardous waste workers and emergency responders.
Uses/Applications: Improve worker safety and health training
Minority Worker Training Program (MWTP)
This program focuses on delivering training to disadvantaged young adults in order to prepare them for employment in the areas of environmental cleanup and construction. The MWTP works with academic institutions, with a particular focus on HBCU, as well as public schools and community-based organizations located in or nearby impacted areas.
Brownfields Minority Worker Training Program (BMWTP)
This program broadens the MWTP to provide comprehensive training to disadvantaged residents and to foster economic and environmental restoration to communities impacted by brownfields.
Eligibility Requirements: Eligible entities include: nonprofit organizations providing worker health and safety education and training including universities, faith-based or community-based organizations and HBCUs.
Limitations: NIEHS support is limited to one of these training programs in the same community. An RFA is released every five years for a five year funding period. The next RFA will be released in 2009.
Availability: Approximately $3,500,000 was appropriated in 2005 for the MWTP.
Uses/Applications:
- Facilitate residential housing finance
- Facilitate community lending
- Assist with asset/liability management
- Assist with liquidity and other funding
Website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/program/brownfields.htm
Advanced Technology Training Program (ATT)
ATT focuses on the development of E-Learning products for health and safety training needed by HAZMAT workers and emergency responders. It directs its resources towards small business participants in the SBIR and STTR programs.
Eligibility Requirements: Eligible entities are U.S. small business institutions.
Availability: Approximately $786,000 is awarded annually.
Uses/Applications: Provide ATT products for health and safety training such as distance learning, virtual reality training simulations and interactive television
SNAPSHOT
Boston, Massachusetts
Jobs for Youth-Boston — now known as JFY Networks — was awarded an EPA Brownfields Job Training Pilot grant in 1998 and was awarded a subsequent Job Training grant in 2003. JFY Networks recruits trainees from low-income communities in and around Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to the job training grant, the National Institute of Environmental Health Services provided $90,000 to expand the environmental technician program and cover some the operating expenses. Once completing the program, trained local residents — many of whom are impacted by brownfields — obtain entry-level environmental positions. These positions are available to assist with local brownfields assessment and cleanup projects. To date, 97 participants have entered the program with 61 of those obtaining employment.
Additional Information
Sharon D. Beard, Industrial Hygienist
Worker Education & Training Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, DHHS
PO Box 12233, MD EC-25
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233
919-541-1863
beard1@niehs.nih.gov
Joseph (Chip) Hughes, Jr., Director
Worker Education & Training Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, DHHS
PO Box 12233, MD EC-25
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233
919-541-0217
hughes3@niehs.nih.gov