FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     
MARCH 26, 2009

CONTACT: NANCY P. JACOBSEN
LEGISLATIVE AIDE
    Office: (631) 854-5100
Fax: (631)-854-5103
 Email:  Nancy.Jacobsen@suffolkcountyny.gov

LEGISLATOR STERN INTRODUCES
“LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP” TO HALF HOLLOW HILLS PTA

Joins with Karen Joy Miller of the Huntington Breast
Cancer Action Coalition (HBCAC) in educational presentation

Photo Left to right:  Stephen Boese, Learning Disabilities Association of New York,  Dr. Sheldon Karnilow, Superintendent of Schools,  Evonne Kaplan-Liss, Director, CEHC at Stony Brook, Karen Miller, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Corrie Young, HHH PTA Council President,  Nilima Lovekar, Center Administrator, CEHC at Stony Brook and Legislator Steve Stern.

HUNTINGTON, NY – Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern (D-Huntington) 16^th LD   joined Karen Miller (Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition), Stephen Boese, Learning Disabilities Association of New York and  Evonne Kaplan-Liss  and Nilima Lovekar  of the Children’s Environmental Health Center of Excellence (CEHCE) at Stony Brook University,  to introduce the “Look Before You L.E.A.P.” program before the Half Hollow Hills PTA council.

The “Look Before You L.E.A.P.” Program is a child-friendly educational program that focuses on four specific topics:  Lead, Endocrine disruptors, Air pollution and Pesticides (LEAP) and uses games and a friendly frog named “Ribbett” to teach children about ways to reduce exposure to potentially dangerous substances in an informative and reassuring way.   “It is critical that we protect the most vulnerable members of our community, our children, from unnecessary exposure to environmental toxins,” Legislator Stern said.  “That is why I am so proud that, working with Karen Miller and other committed environmental advocates, Suffolk recently became the first county in the nation to ban bisphenol-A (BPA) from baby bottles and sippy cups.  The “Look before You L.E.A.P.” program is an important educational initiative to protect our children from other environmental hazards and I congratulate and commend Karen Miller and the HBCAC for developing this program.”

The “Children’s Environmental Health Center of Excellence” recently opened in Huntington and provides  medical treatment by physicians who are trained to  recognize symptoms and treat a child who has been is exposed to toxic substances such as pesticides, mercury, or lead.  The center also provides educational materials for families so that they can reduce exposure to toxins and protect their health.

“Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition is proud to contribute to the CEHCE, dedicated to protecting children from diseases caused by environmental toxins, and to help parents, teachers, and community learn what they need to know about reducing their risks to environmental triggers,” Karen Joy Miller said “Our coalition has created the “Look Before You L.E.A.P.” educational materials which will be made available to the community.”