Subgrantees
Rocky Mountain PEHSU works with partners throughout the six-state region to extend environmental health education, consultation, and resources to local communities.
Montana
Environmental Health in a Box
Environmental Health in a Box brings environmental health education into classrooms and youth programs through hands-on, age-appropriate activities designed for children ages 6–12.
Originally developed for Montana Boys & Girls Clubs, the program expanded to schools across the state with support from Rocky Mountain PEHSU. Each educational kit combines children's books with interactive activities that introduce concepts related to climate, environmental health, and community action.
Children learn through movement, play, storytelling, role-playing, art, and other hands-on activities. The curriculum is designed to build environmental health and climate literacy while encouraging curiosity, empathy, teamwork, and connection to the places where children live.
All materials needed to implement the program are provided free of charge to participating sites, making it accessible to schools and community organizations throughout Montana.
PEHSU partnership
Through its partnership with Rocky Mountain PEHSU, Montana partners are expanding access to engaging environmental health education for children and educators and building awareness of how environmental changes can affect health and communities.
Climate & Health for Montana Health Professionals
This program is run through Climate & Health for Montana Health Professionals, an organization connecting healthcare professionals with information and resources to recognize and address the health impacts of climate change in their patients and communities.
Utah
Salt Lake City Collaborative for Clean Air
The Collaborative for Clean Air (CCA) brings together researchers, community organizations, public health partners, and community members to better understand how air quality affects the health and well-being of Utah families and communities.
With support from Rocky Mountain PEHSU, the CCA launched in August 2026 with a focus on the connections between air pollution and mental health, particularly among Utah youth. The project will engage communities across the Wasatch Front and Back to better understand how families experience and respond to poor air quality, including how air pollution influences children's outdoor activities and daily lives.
The CCA is also conducting community surveys with families, schools, child care programs, and other organizations to understand perceptions of air quality and how communities protect children from exposure. Findings will be shared with community partners to help inform practical, locally relevant approaches to reducing exposure and protecting children's health.
Future work will expand to other environmental stressors, including extreme heat and energy insecurity.
PEHSU partnership
Through its partnership with Rocky Mountain PEHSU, the CCA connects environmental health research and community engagement with pediatric health expertise. The collaboration supports education, outreach, and development of resources to help Utah families and organizations understand the health effects of air pollution and take action to protect children.
South Dakota
South Dakota Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
The South Dakota Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program partners with Rocky Mountain PEHSU to expand lead prevention education for young children and families across South Dakota.
The program is developing two practical, community-based resources focused on lead prevention and early childhood education.
Lead Prevention Toolkits for Families
The program is creating a parent-friendly lead prevention toolkit for families receiving blood lead testing through WIC clinics. The take-home kits will use simple, visual, and child-friendly materials—including magnets, activity cards, puzzles, coloring activities, and handouts—to reinforce lead-safe behaviors, testing recommendations, and healthy routines.
The goal is to make lead prevention information easy to understand and easy to use, particularly for families who may benefit from low-literacy and multilingual resources. The program plans to distribute approximately 1,000 toolkits through participating WIC clinics.
"Get the Lead Out" for Preschoolers
The program is also adapting the "Get the Lead Out" curriculum for South Dakota Head Start programs. Activity kits will help preschool-age children learn where lead can be found, how exposure can affect health, and simple ways to stay safe.
Approximately 75 activity kits will be distributed to Head Start centers, reaching an estimated 2,600 preschool-age children, with additional outreach opportunities through Tribal Head Start programs.
PEHSU partnership
Through its partnership with Rocky Mountain PEHSU, South Dakota is expanding access to engaging lead prevention education for young children, families, and early childhood professionals while strengthening community outreach around blood lead testing and prevention.