Mayor: Progress has been made on Milwaukee's lead program

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- City leaders offered an update on Milwaukee's troubled lead abatement program. 

Mayor Tom Barrett says they've made progress. 

City leaders say it's a new day when it comes to Milwaukee's ongoing issues with lead. 

Mayor Tom Barrett says the Health Department is reaching out to families of children with lead poisoning to provide treatment. 

The announcement comes after a long period of investigation into the Health Department by state and federal agencies. 

Earlier in 2018, the Department of Housing and Urban Development ordered the city to stop its lead hazard removal program, citing unsafe practices. 

Barrett says Milwaukee is close to being able to resume that program and he wants people to trust the health department and work with them. 

"But this is where I need the public's help if a nurse or lead risk assessor is reaching out to you please respond they want to work with you to make sure your child gets the services they need to get healthy," said Mayor Barrett. 

The City Health Department is expected to announce a 90-day plan to get their lead program back on track later on Friday.