Head Start agencies in 13 central Georgia counties will offer free testing for lead poisoning to children enrolled in the programs.

The testing is being provided because the area has the state's highest incidence of lead poisoning of young children.

The testing is being done with a grant of nearly $100,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The testing will be offered in the North Central Health District next school year. The district includes Bibb, Houston, Crawford, Jones, Peach, Twiggs, Monroe, Baldwin, Putnam, Washington, Wilkinson, Jasper and Hancock counties.

Authorities said children found to have elevated blood lead levels will receive home visits to help identify and reduce lead exposure.

Tags: Hancock County, Putnam County, Bibb County, Peach County, Monroe County, Crawford County, Houston County, Jones County, Twiggs County, Washington County, Baldwin County, Wilkinson County, head start, lead tests, lead poisoning