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For more information on this project, contact Samir Elmir, Environmental Health Director or Bridget Smith, PACE-EH Coordinator at the Miami-Dade County Health Department.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
February, 2007 Little Haiti PACE-EH Project Report

 To:                Daniel Parker, M.S.
                       Assistant Division Director, Division of Environmental Health

From:             Trevor D. Coke
                       Environmental Supervisor II

Through:         Samir Elmir, MS, PE, DEE
                        Environmental Administrator

Subject:          Little Haiti PACE EH Project
 

On February 15, 2007 members of the Little Haiti PACE EH Project held their monthly meeting at The Center for Haitian Studies. Officer Lubin, City of Miami Police Department brought a code enforcement officer to the meeting who explained to the community how the code enforcement regulations work in the community. The code enforcement officer advised all residents to contact the city of Miami Code Enforcement Department when they observed issues such as illegal dumping, illegal plumbing work, illegal electrical works and illegal food service operators operating inside residential homes. He will be investigating any complaints that are called into his office for the Little Haiti Community.

Dr. Cedent advised the residents present that the official opening of the Little Haiti Clinic will be held on March 30, 2007 and all members of the PACE EH project are welcome to have a tour of the new facility that was build to serve the community. Officer Lubin explained some of the issues in the justice system that allows the drug traffickers to move to a new location of the community and continue to sell drugs. The Law allows the City of Miami Police to seize the property of any citizen found selling or housing a specific quantity of drugs in their cars or homes. He asked the residents to be patient because the law requires specific process to use in removing the prostitutes and drug dealers from the community. He also advised the residents to continue to report all suspicious activities such as drugs sales and prostitution to his office and he will investigate all complaints. He also reminded the community that towing of abandon cars is ongoing in the community. One Business owner of the community explained how he is using part of his one hour radio shot to educate the community on the importance of the PACE EH project.

Residents of the community will be planning to conduct another cleanup activity in the community on a larger scale since the project will have access to several prisoners from the local jail in the city of Miami.

PACE-EH Tasks	Action	Outcome	Target Date
Task 1: Determine Community Capacity
	On April 15, 2006 we started to gather information on the community.	Completed
	The community is bounded on the North by 82nd Ave., the East by NE 2nd Ave., the West by I- 95 and the South by NW 36th St.
	We looked at the demographics of the community and found that there are several persons who will adequately represent the community.
	We already have a working relationship with the community and other Governmental Agencies.
	Several representatives of the community have expressed their willingness to participate in this project.
	This community uses the local Haitian radio station to communicate with their counter part.
	One identified weakness is the fact that several representative of the community have their own political agendas in mind.
	The First community meeting was scheduled and held on June 8, 2006.
	We were able to identify a possible person from the community who could serve a community liaison.
Task 2: Define and Characterize the Community	On April 25, 2006 we conducted a survey and found that there were several characteristics of the community such as the different community representatives, and environmental conditions affecting the community, such as trash, garbage, rodent infestation and other environmental stressors. We also conducted several field visits to determine who the key players in the community are. We found that there are several business owners, political activist, home owners, radio stations and governmental agencies that have the capacity to take on a PACE-EH program.	Completed
Task 3: Assemble Community Environmental Health Assessment Team.	At our August 10, 2006 meeting we identified a group of community residents who volunteered to serve on a committee that will coordinate the emerging issues of the community.	Completed
	The community members included 6 home owners, 2 crime watch representatives, 1 government employees and 1 local radio station representatives.	Completed
	We are now in the process of hiring a person from the community who will act as a community liaison.	Pending	June, 2007
	I have attended a PACE EH conference in Tampa that was very helpful.  It identified areas in the process that could slow down the progress of the project; it also afforded new project managers the opportunities to network with other counties who are further along in the process who shared information on the tasks.	Completed
	At our August 10 community meeting we had ten residents from the community volunteer to serve on the Environmental Health Assessment Team (EHAT).	Completed
Task 4: Define the goals of the assessments.	One member of the assessment team advised me that a major issue will be the drainage system within the community	Completed
	Other members advised they would like to address the problem of suspicious activities at several community residences which might indicate illegal activities such as drug sales or prostitution.	Ongoing
Task 5: Generate the environmental health list.	The need for code enforcement at 140 NW 70th St. Property has overgrown weeds with trash.	Completed	Nov. 2, 2006
	Investigate suspicious activities ( Drug sales and Prostitution) at 51,127, 129, 131, 133 NW 70th St.	Pending	Started Dec 31, 2006
	Remove a truck that was permanently parked in the community with full load of roofing equipment.	Completed	Nov. 2, 2006
	Replacement of the Citizen Crime Watch Sign at N Miami Ave and 70th Street. (lost after Hurricane Wilma)	Pending	March, 2007
	Installation of a speed bump in the middle 70th Street between NW 2nd Avenue and Miami Avenue	Pending	March, 2007
	Clean up activity for the following blocks were completed: Miami Ave. on the east, NW 67th St. on the south, NW 2nd Ave. on the west, and NW 70th St. on the north.	Completed	Nov. 18, 2006
	Removal of several abandoned vehicles to help reduce crime in the area	Completed, but ongoing	Nov. 18, 2006
	The City of Miami Police Department has assigned two police officers to assist with the community PACE EH project	Pending verification	Dec. 28, 2006
	City of Miami has allocated funds to address the issue of flooding in the Little Haiti Community	Ongoing	March, 2007
	Community members who work for the local radio stations have been donating air time to encourage the residents of the community to take part in the project	Completed	Nov. 20, 2006
	The City of Miami planted several trees in the community after the completion of the cleanup up campaign	Completed	Dec. 13, 2006
	City of Miami opened a new Neighborhood Enhancement Team office to server the residents of the Little Haiti Communities	Completed	Dec. 13, 2006
	On January 18, 2007 one hour of free public education was given by Fred St. Amand, Sr on radio Mega 1020 AM. The information was written and approved by Environmental Health and the State Health Office.	Ongoing
	The Director of the Little Haiti Clinic (Dr Cadent) gave information on the type of services that is being offered at the clinic.	Completed
	Several new community representatives attended the meeting and has pledge to work with the project to enhance their community.	Ongoing
	City of Miami Code Enforcement officer is now a part of the PACE EH Team in the community.	Ongoing
	Residents are planning a community cleanup activity writhing the next three months	Ongoing	July 2007

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Pending






 

' The The need

Haiti Community was scheduled and held on November 18, 2006.

Still looking for methods to keep the community participation high.

Little Haiti Community Reports

December, 2006

November, 2006

September, 2006

August, 2006

July, 2006

June, 2006

West Perrine Community Reports

July/October, 2004

May/June, 2004