Toolkits

Lead safety

Recent testing has shown lead in more than half of Indianapolis' schools and child care facilities, sometimes at levels more than 500 times the amount that federally requires corrective action. Learn some tips on Lead Safety and if you are an Indianapolis school seeking to test for lead please check out our Thriving Schools Lead Screening Program.

Asset Mapping

Community asset mapping is a strength-based approach to community development. The goal is to document a community’s existing resources, incorporating these strengths into community development work.

Check out our Let’s Talk: ITSC & Asset Mapping recording below for a detailed how to as well.

Rain barrels

A rain barrel is a storage container used to reuse storm water. When stored correctly, the storm water can then be re-used to water rain gardens or plants, wash cars, or be used in times of emergency. Depending on the roof size a rain barrel can save around 1,300 gallons of water during the summer months every year.

Greener Gardening projects

What do toilet paper rolls, cardboard egg cartons and fruit clamshells have in common? They can all be used as a means of reducing costs and waste in your garden. Here are three tips that you can use with your class or community garden for your starters.

This toolkit is also linked to NGSS Standards for those looking to incorporate their school garden into their classroom curriculum.

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a landscape created to absorb and filter runoff from storms. Depending on the size of your rain garden, it can reduce up to 80% of sediment and 90% of chemicals from storm water runoff, and will soak up 30% more water than a lawn.