Challenge

Los Angeles is one of the world’s wealthiest cities, yet more than one-quarter of our children live in poverty and far too many have inadequate healthcare. The Los Angeles Unified School District has one of the highest concentrations of low-income students in California, with more than 84% of students living at or below the poverty line. Students who receive low-quality or inconsistent healthcare are more likely to be absent from class, perform poorly in school or dropout altogether. Only 78% of L.A. Unified high school students graduate within four years. Dropout rates countywide are much higher among Black and Latinx students, who make up more than four in five L.A. Unified students. Youth without a high school diploma experience higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, poor health and incarceration.

Solution

Research proves the strong correlation between student health and academic success. It’s simple: children who get regular check-ups, dental screenings and access to mental health services can better focus on their studies. Healthcare is even more important for children living with the daily stressors of poverty — yet these are same children who often lack access to care. By addressing health challenges and the lack of health services, we can increase graduation rates and set students on a path toward higher education, trade school and economic stability.

Mission

Our mission is bridging health and education to achieve student wellness. Our vision is a world where every student is healthy and successful. Our rallying cry: Putting the care in student healthcare.