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Celebrating leadership and raising awareness at Salute to Student Health gala
Maryjane Puffer, John Baackes, and Dr. Alex Li at Salute to Student Health gala.
On September 19, healthcare providers, educators, and civic leaders gathered at Redbird Garden in Downtown Los Angeles for The L.A. Trust’s annual Salute to Student Health gala. The event raised awareness and funds for student health while honoring Dr. Jayanth Kumar with The L.A. Trust Champion Award and John Baackes with The L.A. Trust Visionary Award. Both honorees were recognized for their leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of students and communities.
Brandon Burriss and Maryjane Puffer's Opening Remarks
Brandon Burriss, Board President
Brandon Burriss, Board President of The L.A. Trust for Children’s Health, praised the dedication of the organization’s board and staff. He addressed the challenges facing today’s students, from mental health issues to misinformation, emphasizing the crucial role of wellness centers. “Students need people they can count on, places where their questions are answered confidentially and truthfully. This is what The L.A. Trust is about,” Burriss stated, before introducing Executive Director Maryjane Puffer.
Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director
Maryjane Puffer celebrated The L.A. Trust’s growth, highlighting new initiatives like technical assistance for community schools and teacher training in peer-to-peer programs. She shared successes, including the Student Advisory Board program reaching over 10,000 students, a nearly seven-fold increase in dental screenings for kindergarteners, and expanded efforts in youth mental health. “Our work continues to be driven by a singular passion to improve the health and well-being of students throughout Los Angeles,” Puffer remarked.
Genesis Cruz, former Student Advisory Board member.
Student Speaker Genesis Cruz
In her speech, Genesis Cruz, a sophomore at USC and a Jordan High School graduate, reflected on how her time with The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) fueled her passion for advocacy and influenced her decision to pursue a career in law. She emphasized the importance of educating her peers on sexual and reproductive health and highlighted the reopening of the Jordan High School Wellness Center as a vital resource for the community. “Through the SAB, I learned the significance of community advocacy and how making our voices heard can drive meaningful change,” Cruz noted.
Championing Equity in Children's Oral Health
Dr. Maritza Cabezas introduced Dr. Jayanth Kumar for the Champion Award, detailing his impressive educational journey from Bangalore University to Johns Hopkins. She noted his significant contributions to public health, including research on tooth discoloration in Native Americans and the development of New York's first comprehensive oral health plan. Dr. Cabezas praised Dr. Kumar's leadership in California as State Dental Director, where he implemented innovative strategies to reduce health disparities. She acknowledged his retirement to spend time with his granddaughter in Maryland while celebrating his lasting impact on community health.
Dr. Jayanth Kumar accepting the Champion Award.
Dr. Jayanth Kumar accepted the Los Angeles Trust's Champion Award via video, expressing gratitude and emphasizing the need for equitable oral health outcomes. Reflecting on his public health dentistry career, he acknowledged the progress made in California's dental programs while highlighting ongoing disparities in children's oral health. He remarked, “Despite significant progress, tooth decay remains a chronic disease among children, and disparities in oral health continue to be a pressing concern.” Dr. Kumar concluded by hoping that his recognition would inspire others in the field.
John Baackes in his acceptance speech.
A Visionary Message from John Baackes
Dr. Alex Li introduced John Baackes for the Visionary Award, commending his leadership as CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, one of the largest public health plans in the country. Dr. Li highlighted Baackes' unique transition from the East Coast to California, emphasizing his youthful energy and commitment to addressing health disparities among low-income individuals, particularly youth. He praised Baackes for his hands-on approach during the pandemic, including daily emails to staff to boost morale, and his proactive support for critical programs like the Student Behavioral Health Program. Dr. Li expressed gratitude for Baackes' impactful work in Los Angeles and his dedication to improving community health, noting the legacy he leaves as he prepares for retirement.
In his acceptance speech, John Baackes delivered a powerful message, recognizing the long-standing partnership between L.A. Care and The L.A. Trust and their shared dedication to addressing healthcare inequities for vulnerable populations. He emphasized the critical role that community organizations play in fostering resilience, especially during times of national uncertainty. “Regardless of what’s happening at the top, those of us working at the street level know how to take care of our community, our neighbors, and our friends,” he stated.
Baackes highlighted the unique diversity of Los Angeles, suggesting that the city is a model for the country’s future. He believes that the blend of cultures and backgrounds in L.A. is not just a reflection of where the U.S. is headed, but a powerful driver of positive change. “If you want to see the future face of the United States, come to L.A.,” he remarked, underscoring how this diversity can help close the healthcare inequality gap. His words reflected admiration for The L.A. Trust's work and his commitment to continue advocating for the community even after his retirement.
Bidding for Good
Contributing for a chance to win exciting prizes.
The evening included an exciting prize drawing and an entertaining live auction featuring trips to Italy, an all-inclusive tropical paradise, the Grand Canyon, and more. “Fund-a-need” pledges helped raise thousands of dollars for The L.A. Trust’s student engagement programs.
The event was made possible by generous sponsors, including Gold Sponsor LA Care and Silver Sponsors Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Medical Group, Delta Dental, Health Net, Jan Kern, and Kaiser Permanente. Bronze Sponsors included Alta Hospitals, California Dental Association, DentaQuest, Liberty Dental, St. John's Community Health, The Broad Foundation, and Via Care. Ally Sponsors were AltaMed, Blue Shield of CA Promise HP, California Credit Union, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Dignity Health, John and Debbie Edleston, Eisner Health, LAUSD Board of Education — Dr. George J. McKenna III, Sylvia Hurtado — UCLA School of Education & Information Studies, Toney Health Care, UMMA Community Clinic, and Universal Community Health Center.
The L.A. Trust is deeply grateful to everyone who attended and contributed. Thanks to our sponsors, attendees, and bidders, we exceeded our goal to fund programs in the coming year, while also bringing attention to the urgent need for student healthcare.
Click here to see all the photos from the event.
The L.A. Trust to honor John Baackes with Visionary Award at Salute to Student Health Gala
John Baackes
Chief Executive Officer of
L.A. Care Health Plan
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health will proudly present its Visionary Award to John Baackes, Chief Executive Officer of L.A. Care Health Plan, on September 19 at the Salute to Student Health event at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. This gala will gather members of The L.A. Trust community, including educators, healthcare providers, and donors. Registration for the event will open in August.
John Baackes is the CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation's largest publicly operated health plan. With more than 40 years of healthcare experience, Mr. Baackes works collaboratively with the Board of Governors to set the organization's strategic vision and ensure its successful implementation. He oversees day-to-day operations, guiding L.A. Care through the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, and is responsible for maintaining the integrity, quality, and accountability of the health services L.A. Care provides to its members.
Under Mr. Baackes’ leadership, L.A. Care has secured its position as a national leader in promoting equitable healthcare for low-income patients and serving as a catalyst for community transformation. His commitment to L.A. Care, its members, provider partners, employees, and the broader Los Angeles community is reflected in the organization’s exponential growth and expansion of services over the past decade. Significant initiatives under his guidance include expanding L.A. Care’s directly contracted network of physicians, establishing a grading and incentivization system for quality care, and expanding from four to fourteen L.A. Care/Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Centers throughout Los Angeles County. At his urging, L.A. Care also launched the $205 million Elevating the Safety Net initiative to address a growing physician shortage, especially in communities of color. The initiative provides grants for safety net clinics and practices to recruit new physicians into safety net clinics and practices. It also provides medical school loan repayment grants to new physicians who have committed to work in the safety net for up to five years. And the initiative includes a full-ride scholarship program for medical school students who have expressed a desire to practice in underserved communities.
John Baackes, Chief Executive Officer of L.A. Care Health Plan
Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust, remarked, “John Baackes exemplifies the spirit of our Visionary Award through his unwavering dedication to improving healthcare access and quality for the most vulnerable populations in our community. His leadership has been instrumental in transforming the healthcare landscape in Los Angeles and beyond.”
Before joining L.A. Care in 2015, Mr. Baackes served as President of Philadelphia-based AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Plans, where he oversaw the Medicare Advantage business unit. He was also CEO of Senior Whole Health in Cambridge, MA, a healthcare plan serving more than 10,000 low-income seniors in Massachusetts and New York. His extensive career includes executive leadership roles such as Senior Vice President for Group Health Incorporated in Albany, NY; President of Kaiser Permanente's Northeast Division; and CEO of Community Health Plan in Latham, NY.
Mr. Baackes holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and is a native of Evanston, IL. He currently serves on the boards of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), California Association of Health Plans (CAHP), Local Health Plans of California (LHPC), Project Angel Food, Urban Voices Project, and Charles Drew University.
John Baackes, who has led L.A. Care for the past nine years, recently announced his retirement. His visionary leadership and relentless commitment to healthcare equity have made a lasting impact on our community. We are honored to celebrate his remarkable contributions at our Salute to Student Health gala.
Encouraging wellness at the Y2Y Health Summit
Student health advocates and their adult allies joined us at the Y2Y Health Summit this year.
Earlier this month on April 5, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health held its annual Youth-to-Youth (Y2Y) Health Summit at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. The summit fosters a close-knit community where students from all walks of life can come together, share experiences, learn, and lift each other up.
The event featured workshops on a broad spectrum of subjects from mental health to navigating social media and advocating for healthcare check-ups. This year, students and partners offered six student-led workshops.
Santee High School students presented "Ease Your Mind: Exploring New Coping Skills," offering students new ways to manage stress.
MaCES High School students hosted the "Calm Room," a sanctuary for students seeking peace and quiet. h
Belmont High School students explored the connection between "Nutrition & Mental Health: Mind, Body, Connection," emphasizing the impact of diet on mental well-being.
Carson High School's "Relationships Wait: We’re Not Really Strangers" encouraged deeper connections among students.
Fremont High School students led "Let's Fight Stigmas," a campaign against societal prejudices.
Jefferson High School students educated on the dangers of tobacco and drug use with "Stop Before You Start: Adolescent Tobacco and Drug Use Prevention."
Dr. Rosina Franco
Keynote speaker Dr. Rosina Franco shared her remarkable journey of resilience and ambition. Born to Mexican immigrant parents in a modest household, Dr. Franco broke barriers by being the first family member to complete both undergraduate and medical studies. The virtues of hard work and persistence instilled by her parents and observed in her eight siblings played a significant role in her achievements. Her story not only illustrated the significance of support and motivation but also highlighted how pivotal moments and individuals can steer one's life towards remarkable accomplishments.
This year’s event had an 80s theme with new wave pop music and some students and staff dressing to fit the colorful era. During lunch students enjoyed tacos and a delightful trip down memory lane with an assortment of nostalgic elementary school games that infused the event with energy and laughter. The summit exemplified the seamless integration of educational content and entertaining activities, offering a platform that motivates attendees to focus on their health and wellness.
Students jumping rope during lunchtime.
As Patty Salmeron, Senior Program Manager at The L.A. Trust, summed up, " The energy and excitement as students participated in workshops, played games, took photos and networked – all while some wearing awesome 80s outfits - it was an amazing summit."
The Y2Y Health Summit was created to help students focus on the comprehensive wellness of the individual. Y2Y acknowledges that being healthy extends beyond physical well-being to include mental, emotional, and social facets of life. This perspective is particularly relevant in an era where mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent among youth. By centering on holistic health and wellness that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, the summit reflects The L.A. Trust's dedication to fostering a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle for students.
The success of the Y2Y Health Summit would not have been possible without the support of our partners, who played an essential role in making the event a success. Dr. David Lyons, Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles County Public Health, Wellness Network In LAUSD, Fcancer, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, UCLA, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and CalMHSA all provided valuable resources and support to the students in attendance.
Salute to Student Health: gala highlights
Patricia Anton, Maryjane Puffer, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, and Brandon Burriss
On September 28 more than 200 healthcare providers, educators and civic leaders gathered at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles for The L.A. Trust’s third annual Salute to Student Health. The gala raised awareness and funds for student health and honored Patricia Anton with The L.A. Trust Champion Award and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer with the L.A. Trust Visionary Award. Both were honored for their leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of our students and communities.
Brandon Burriss, board president of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, noted that “Contributions are indispensable as we continue to empower peer-to-peer mentoring, a model that research has shown to be highly effective.” Burriss said, “Our mission is clear: we aim to reach every student, to empower them with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.” He then thanked all our evening sponsors and introduced Executive Director Maryjane Puffer.
“As I reflect on this past year and the challenges we faced together, it's clear that amidst the difficulties, we also created countless memorable and uplifting moments,” said Puffer. “Like helping students to advocate for hydration stations at Washington Prep High School. The L.A. Trust was also proud to be a part of the coalition that successfully called for district-wide access to Narcan in LAUSD, allowing students to freely carry Narcan on campus,” she said.
Puffer acknowledged our research partners and the staff at the Federally Qualified Health Centers who provide crucial care to students through the Wellness Centers. “In 2023, our mission remains strong: enhancing health access, equity, and awareness for our students. Together, we've achieved extraordinary milestones this year, and we're excited to continue building on our partnerships and investments with all of you,” she said.
Impactful Journey with The L.A. Trust
Student speaker Jack Rojas
The night's featured guest speaker, Jack Rojas, an undergraduate at East L.A. College and a former member of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board at Garfield High School, shared his personal journey with The L.A. Trust. He spoke about how his involvement with the Student Advisory Board helped him develop crucial skills and empowered him to speak out about the dangers of substances like fentanyl. His story exemplified the positive impact that peer-to-peer training and mentorship can have on students. "Through the training and practice with The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Board, I had the tools and confidence to share my perspective and the facts on the dangers of fentanyl," said Rojas.
A Champion for Change
John Edelston, a board member of The L.A. Trust, had the honor of introducing the Champion Honoree Patricia Anton. Edelston stated, "The L.A. Trust Champion Award honors an individual whose courage and work exemplify an unwavering commitment and service to the health and lives of our students and communities. It’s difficult to imagine a more perfect example of this than Patty. She unreservedly and continually works to strengthen and enhance the Data xChange, matching its growth to our ever-shifting environment, and devising solutions when we hit the inevitable roadblocks."
Patricia Anton delivered an emotionally touching acceptance speech, sharing her mother's battles with mental health and the effects of this on her family as a way of illustrating the urgency of supporting students with ACEs, an acronym for “adverse childhood experiences.” While she had supportive "angels" in her life—her brother and friends—Patty expressed concern for children in the most underserved areas that The L.A. Trust serves, stating, "We cannot rely on just another person to help them; we need a system of support to assist these children." She stressed the importance of finding ways to support young people with ACEs, emphasizing that her best contribution was to demonstrate unequivocally the significant impact of School-Based Health Centers on children's lives.
Dr. Lauren McNally, with the help of her son, introduced The L.A. Trust Visionary Honoree, Assemblymember Reggie Jones Sawyer. The assemblymember spoke about his work on AB 912—The Strategic Anti-Violence Funding Efforts (SAFE) Act. The groundbreaking legislation aimed to redirect $235 million in annual savings from the closure of two state prisons towards violence prevention and community support, including school-based health centers.
Fun during the dollar dash game.
The evening also featured engaging activities like the dollar dash game and a live auction, all contributing to the cause of student health. The fund-a-need pledges further reinforced the commitment of attendees to The L.A. Trust's programs.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of student healthcare and the incredible impact that can be made when individuals and communities come together to support this vital cause. The L.A. Trust is deeply grateful to all who attended and contributed, as it is their collective effort that helps make a difference in the lives of students and communities. The evening was a testament to the power of collective action and the positive change it can bring.
The L.A. Trust honors Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer with the Visionary Award
Reggie Jones-Sawyer California State Assemblymember,57th Assembly District
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health is proud to announce that California State Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer from the 57th Assembly District will be receiving the 2023 Visionary Award. This recognition will be presented to Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer at the 3rd annual Salute to Student Health gala event on September 28 at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. The gala will bring together members of The L.A. Trust community including educators, healthcare providers, and supporters of the mission to bridge health and education to achieve student wellness.
The L.A. Trust’s Visionary Award recognizes Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer's commitment and leadership in crafting forward-thinking policies that promote greater access to healthcare, education, public safety, and enhancing our justice system. Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer has authored or co-authored legislation that has benefited the state of California and residents of the 57th District which includes portions of South-Central Los Angeles, Florence-Graham, Walnut Park and Huntington Park.
The L.A. Trust enthusiastically supports his work on AB 912—The Strategic Anti-Violence Funding Efforts (SAFE) Act. This groundbreaking legislation aims to redirect $235 million in annual savings from the closure of two state prisons towards violence prevention and community support, including school-based health centers. We are thrilled to see AB 912 take an upstream approach to violence prevention that prioritizes public health and leverages existing community assets. Less than 3% of California’s six million students have access to a school-based health center. The SAFE Act would help bring essential health services to more young people.
As the people's voice for the 57th District in the State Capitol, Assemblyman Jones-Sawyer has worked hard to put local neighborhoods first and to deliver results. Throughout his tenure, Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer has prioritized local neighborhoods. He has contributed to the increase in investment in neighborhood schools, making higher education more accessible and affordable, and has played a significant role in job creation policies. His advocacy for protections for immigrants, such as driver's licenses and healthcare for immigrant children, demonstrates his commitment to inclusivity and fairness.
The L.A. Trust is honored to recognize Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts on behalf of the people he represents. His impact extends far beyond his district, positively shaping the lives of countless individuals throughout California.
The L.A. Trust honors Patricia Anton with the Champion Award
Patricia Anton, President of Anton Consulting
The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health is set to honor Patricia Anton with the prestigious Champion Award during its Salute to Student Health event on September 28. The gala, held at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, serves as a platform to raise awareness and gather funds for student health initiatives.
Patricia Anton, the President of Anton Consulting, will receive this esteemed recognition. She established Anton Consulting 22 years ago as a boutique management consulting firm specializing in helping large Fortune 500 companies align their strategies with technology and data. Noteworthy clients, including Kaiser Permanente, SAP Software, Fidelity, and Travelers Insurance, have benefited from their services.
Prominent figures from The L.A. Trust community, including educators, healthcare providers, and donors, will attend the gala event. It provides an opportunity for like-minded individuals to come together and support the cause of student health. Interested individuals can learn more about the event and even become sponsors by visiting the provided link.
“Patty Anton has been invaluable to The L.A. Trust both as a Board Member and as the business developer for our Data xChange,” said Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust. “Patty is completely committed to supporting child well-being. She understands that using data to improve programs and drive change is key,” Puffer said. “Her efforts to support our work have been both selfless and tireless. She is a true champion.”
Learn more, become a sponsor
At Anton Consulting, the emphasis lies on "the human side of data." The firm focuses on how data can be effectively utilized, safeguarded, and leveraged to derive insights that pave the way for a better future for companies, customers, and society at large. Despite being a small company, Anton Consulting has successfully partnered with major corporations, dispelling the notion that quality is solely determined by size. In collaboration with The L.A. Trust, Anton Consulting has spearheaded the creation of the groundbreaking Data xChange—a unique database that stands unrivaled on the national stage of school-based health and software giants.
The collaboration between The L.A. Trust and Anton Consulting has yielded a HIPAA-compliant solution to anonymously link highly sensitive health records with academic records, such as grades, attendance, and graduation data. This groundbreaking approach ensures that individuals' health and academic records remain protected and cannot be re-identified. The creation of the Data xChange not only enables the collective measurement of the impact of school-based health centers on students' academic success and overall well-being but also propels public health research forward. The database serves as a comprehensive and consistently updated clearing house of longitudinal data, facilitating reliable comparisons and eliminating any privacy risks.
Before establishing Anton Consulting in 2001, Patricia Anton held the position of Senior Vice President at Digitas, a direct marketing agency specializing in database-driven customer loyalty programs. Prior to that, she cultivated a career in international marketing, living and working in Mexico and Canada. Patricia's academic background includes an undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Illinois and a Master's in International Business (MIBS) from the renowned University of South Carolina, recognized as a top institution for international business education in the United States.
Advancing student health: The L.A. Trust hosts the Wellness Network Learning Collaborative
The Wellness Network Learning Collaborative includes administrators, clinicians, and student health advocates.
This past month of June, The L.A. Trust hosted the Wellness Network Learning Collaborative at the California Endowment in Downtown Los Angeles. The conference was a full house of over 100 enthusiastic administrators, clinicians, and student health advocates. Participants were thrilled to reconnect at the semi-annual event, centered around the exchange of valuable insights and best practices aimed at enhancing student health throughout L.A. Unified.
Dr. Ron Tanimura, Director of Student Medical Services at L.A. Unified, provided updates on LAUSD Student Medical Services and Medi-Cal Programs. He announced that all students from K-12 will now receive a vision screening at school, with opt-out consent. This will enable more students to receive examinations unless parents specifically opt out. He also briefly discussed The L.A. Trust's new Data xChange Impact Report for School Based Health Centers, which presented data on unique patient visits, services provided, demographics, and more for the 2021-2022 school year. His presentation concluded with an overview of the aggregated report cards for the 17 Wellness Centers, designed for school principals, parents, and students.
During the meeting, staff from each Wellness Center reviewed and discussed the Wellness Report Cards. LAUSD Organization Facilitators examined measures related to health authority, integrated programming, marketing and recruitment, shared outcomes, and staff collaboration. The L.A. Trust staff provided updates on the Student Advisory Boards and a recap of the Youth-to-Youth Health Summit. Additionally, they discussed the upcoming expectations for ongoing initiatives such as the Youth Mental Health Collaborative’s three-year plan and expanding dental partnerships for Oral Health.
The collaborative looked at data for the wellness centers and learned about policies that will benefit their respective communities.
Gabby Tilley, Senior Policy Manager for the L.A. Trust, provided an update on the legislative landscape for school-based health centers, focusing on four high-priority bills. She also shared information on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative that includes $4.4 billion to transform youth-serving behavioral health systems. Following Tilley, Maggie Yu-DiPasquale led an energizing mid-meeting session of movement and stretching. The meeting concluded with a fun and competitive game of Jeopardy, adding an enjoyable and interactive element.
The Wellness Network Learning Collaborative conference proved to be a remarkable event, fostering the exchange of knowledge and best practices among administrators, clinicians, and student health advocates. The conference truly encompassed a holistic approach to student health and left participants energized and inspired to continue their impactful work. We look forward to the next Wellness Network Learning Collaborative conference. See you there!
Y2Y Health Summit highlights and reflections
Over 120 student health advocates and their adult allies joined us at Y2Y Health Summit this year.
Earlier this month on May 5, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health held the annual Youth-to-Youth (Y2Y) Health Summit at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. The Y2Y Health Summit is not your average health conference. It is a unique event that puts the spotlight on young people and empowers them to take charge of their health. The summit not only provides students with a platform to showcase their work, but it also gives them an opportunity to connect with other like-minded students from different schools and backgrounds. This sense of community is crucial, especially in today's fast-paced and highly competitive world where students are often under immense pressure to perform.
Y2Y workshop on coping with triggers through meditation.
The workshops offered at the summit were carefully curated to cater to the diverse needs and interests of the students. From mental health to social media and health advocacy, the topics covered were relevant and engaging. For instance, the UCLA health career panel provided students with insights into various healthcare professions that might inspire them to pursue careers in the healthcare industry. Similarly, the workshop on coping with triggers through meditation provided students with practical tools to manage stress and anxiety, which can be invaluable in their daily lives.
What sets the Y2Y Health Summit apart is the emphasis on the holistic well-being of students. The event recognizes that health is not just about physical fitness but encompasses all aspects of one's life, including mental, emotional, and social health. This approach is refreshing and much needed, especially in today's world, where mental health issues are on the rise among young people. The summit's focus on total health and wellness for the body, mind, and soul is a testament to The L.A. Trust’s commitment to promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle for students.
Dr. David Lyons, keynote speaker.
The keynote speech delivered by Dr. David Lyons, also known as “Doctor Homie,” at this year's Y2Y Health Summit was a highlight of the event. Dr. Lyons shared his personal story of overcoming adversity to pursue a career in medicine, which was an inspiration to the students in attendance. He spoke candidly about how the hardships he encountered early in life fueled his determination to pursue medicine as a career. One of the most powerful moments of his speech was when he shared his personal struggle with his sexuality, which was a significant obstacle in his journey. Dr. Lyons emphasized the importance of self-reflection and seeking support from friends and mentors in overcoming personal challenges. His military service and attendance at a community college helped him find direction and purpose, leading him to pursue a medical degree. He discussed his experiences with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how he overcame trauma to achieve his goals. Throughout his speech, he emphasized the importance of empathy and understanding, encouraging his audience of high school and middle school students to take pride in their peer-to-peer health work as it can be life-changing. Dr. Lyons' story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of individuals who overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams and highlights the importance of leveling the playing field for all.
Reach LA vogue training segment with students.
The event was held on Cinco de Mayo. Lunch included tacos, and students were entertained by performances from the organization Reach LA. The group performed a drag show and a vogue show, adding to the energetic atmosphere of the event. During a fun vogue training segment, students were even able to participate and learn some moves themselves. The event's vibrant atmosphere and opportunities for entertainment created an enjoyable and engaging experience for the students in attendance. The Y2Y Health Summit is an excellent example of how education and entertainment can be combined to create a dynamic and informative event that empowers and inspires young people to prioritize their health and well-being.
The success of the Y2Y Health Summit would not have been possible without the support of our partners, who played an essential role in making the event a success. Black Women for Wellness, REACH LA, Primary Health, Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles County Public Health, Reality Management, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and Universal Community Health Center all provided valuable resources and support to the students in attendance.
As Patty Salmeron, Senior Program Manager at The L.A. Trust, noted, "I really appreciated our tabling partners who provided great resources for the students. It elevates everyone's experience when you have partners who want to be there and believe in what we're doing and want to support the students." The enthusiasm and dedication of these partners helped create a positive and supportive atmosphere.
Overall, the Y2Y Health Summit is a valuable resource for students across the district. It provides them with a safe and supportive space to learn, connect, and grow, and equips them with the knowledge and skills to take control of their health. The event's success is a testament to the power of student-driven initiatives and the positive impact they can have on communities. As Marsha Ellis, The L.A. Trust’s Director of Programs, rightly puts it, "The L.A. Trust is proud to continue supporting youth across the district as they work to bring important health education and resources to their campuses and communities."
Brush It Up! The L.A. Trust launches online fundraiser for children's oral health
Brush It Up! is a peer-to-peer awareness and fundraiser to be held through videos, fun challenges, and social media February 21 – 24, 2023.
Kicking off National Children’s Dental Health Month, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health is proud to announce Brush It Up!, an online fundraising campaign to be held from February 21 to 24. The online event will feature daily videos with The L.A. Trust staff and oral health puppets Billy and Friends, highlighting surprising facts and fun challenges about children’s oral health. The goals of the campaign are to raise awareness of children’s oral health and funds to increase access to high quality oral health care, education, and resources to students in need in Los Angeles.
Since the start of the pandemic, children’s oral health has been on a rapid decline, particularly among high-need populations. To address this issue, The L.A. Trust has committed to dissolving barriers to oral health care by raising awareness, increasing access to dental care, and addressing the shortage of oral health providers in low-income communities.
“Good oral health is an essential part of overall health and wellness, and we are proud to host this online fundraiser to support our mission,” said Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust. “We are committed to promoting oral health and improving the lives of those in our community, and we need everyone’s support to make that happen.”
Brush It Up! will bring together The L.A. Trust board, staff, and friends to spread the word about the importance of oral health and raise funds for this critical cause. Supporters can donate money online and spread the word among their social networks. Our headline sponsors are Liberty Dental Plan and DentaQuest. Additional supporting sponsor is Big Smiles Dental.
Join The L.A. Trust in its mission to improve children’s oral health and Brush It Up! For more information about Brush It Up! and The L.A. Trust, or to make a donation, please visit here or contact Julie Eden, J.Edens@thelatrust.org.
Salute to Student Health: an event to remember
The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health event 2022. Photo credit by Rinzi Ruiz Photography.
On September 29 more than 200 healthcare providers, educators and civic leaders gathered in-person at Vibiana, Downtown Los Angeles and online for The L.A. Trust’s second annual Salute to Student Health. The gala raised awareness and funds for student health and honored Dr. Barbara Ferrer with The L.A. Trust Champion Award and Dr. Jeanne Pritzker with the L.A. Trust Visionary Award. Both were honored for their leadership and commitment to the health and lives of our students and communities.
Executive Director Maryjane Puffer and Board President Brandon Burris.
Brandon Burris, board president of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, noted that “Two of the most pressing challenges our students face are mental health and oral health.” Burris said, “These issues are not going away. In some cases, they are getting worse. And that is the real reason why we are here tonight – to bridge the gap between education and health, and to shrink these statistics so that we can provide the safest and healthiest path forward for our children.” He then thanked all our evening sponsors and introduced Executive Director Maryjane Puffer.
“As we move through 2022, we continue to seek ways to increase access, equity, and awareness, as well as to bring high-quality healthcare services to the students we serve,” said Puffer. “It has been an extraordinary year despite the challenges, and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with all of you,” she said.
Puffer acknowledged our research partners and the staff at the Federally Qualified Health Centers, who provide crucial care to students through the Wellness Centers. “The staff at these clinics went above and beyond during the height of the COVID-19 crisis,” she said, “and they continue to do so, serving students and families despite the many obstacles.”
Beautiful butterfly experience
Marsha Ellis, program director at The L.A. Trust, introduced the night’s featured guest speaker, Taaliyah Tucker, an undergraduate at LA Trade Technical College and a former member of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board (SAB) at Washington Prep High School.
Student speaker Taaliyah Tucker.
Taaliyah Tucker spoke about her “Beautiful Butterfly Experience”, and how joining The L.A. Trust SAB helped her come out of her cocoon. “I went from being this shy girl, to speaking with my peers at table events to being highlighted in an L.A. Trust video,” she said. “And then speaking at the Youth to Youth Conference to High School kids from all parts of LA Unified. And tonight, I’m here sharing my story with all of you.”
Ms. Tucker shared her experience with bullying and the personal toll it took on her physical and mental well-being. She spoke about growing up without parents, being an introvert, joining The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board and her hopes for the future.
“I don’t know where I’ll be 5 or 10 years from now, but what I do know is that I will always continue to learn and hopefully, keep up with my public speaking and educating people on the great work The L.A. Trust has done and continues to do for students like me,” she said. “For a student who once upon a time used to be a shy girl from South LA, but has now turned into a beautiful butterfly.” Her emotional speech prompted a standing ovation.
Interconnected realization
Pia Escudero, Executive Director at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Division of Student Health & Human Services received the award on behalf of Jeanne Pritzker. Escudero said, “I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of Jeanne because without Jeanne, we wouldn’t have the professionals that we have, the tools and resources that we have and be able to spread the wealth of health and mental well-being that we have today in our schools.”
Dr. Barbara Ferrer
Megan Reilly, Deputy Superintendent at LAUSD presented The L.A. Trust Champion Award to Dr. Barbara Ferrer. Dr. Ferrer noted how interconnected we are and how much we depend on each other. Dr. Ferrer said, “Every day, I get to work alongside remarkable people who tirelessly advance the health and well-being of more than 10 million people who live and work in LA County.” She asked the audience to join her in recognizing her public health colleagues who were in attendance and said, “This award is a tribute to their commitment, their exceptional efforts, and their personal sacrifice over the past nearly three years. I feel very fortunate to be a member of this public health team.”
Dr. Ferrer said, “As I look back over this very long pandemic, I am hopeful for our future, because we have forged ‘in strength and relationships that will allow us to continue to work together, improving conditions for students and their families, inside and outside the classrooms for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.”
Bidding for good
The evening sponsors included our Gold Sponsor , Kaiser Permanente, and Silver Sponsors , Liberty Dental Plan, Delta Dental, Big Smiles, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, William Grice, L.A. Care, Health Net, Anton Consulting, and L.A. County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. Bronze Sponsors included Planned Parenthood, Health Management Associates, St. John’s Community Health, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Orchard Financial Group, Tangram Interiors, Western Dental, and To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers. Community Allies include The California Credit Union, California Community Foundation, Holos Communities, LAUSD Board District 1/Dr. McKenna, Nicole J. Jones, and Brian Benton. Special thanks go to The Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation.
The evening included a Silent Auction and an entertaining Live Auction featuring trips to Italy, Hawaii, Mammoth and Mexico. “Fund-a-need” pledges helped raise thousands of dollars for The L.A. Trust’s student engagement programs.
The L.A. Trust is very grateful for all who came and all who gave. Thanks to our sponsors, attendees and bidders, The L.A. Trust raised more than $200,000 to fund programs in the coming year. More importantly, it brought attention to the need for student healthcare. The L.A. Trust is especially proud of Taaliyah and the current Student Advisory Board members and Covid Youth Task Force members in our video, who showed everyone what The L.A. Trust mission is all about.
Thank you for your support at our Salute to Student Health event
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We at The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health would like to thank you for joining us at this year's SALUTE TO STUDENT HEALTH Gala and helping to make our second annual event a great success. It was a true privilege for us to be able to come together and recognize the great work we have done together, and honor Dr. Jeanne Pritzker and Dr. Barbara Ferrer. Of course, we could not do any of this without your support. Your commitment, your friendship and your generosity inspires everything that we do. Thank you!
VIEW SOME SPECIAL MOMENTS IN OUR PHOTO GALLERY!
View, download and share the 2022 Salute to Student Health digital gallery. A big THANK YOU to all the individuals and companies who showed their support and commitment to The L.A. Trust mission. Thank you for helping to make our gala an evening to remember.
>>PHOTO GALLERY
It was a night to remember and we were so grateful to catch up with friends we had not seen in awhile and make some new ones. The evening was full of good people looking good and feeling good. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing more of you throughout the year! If you missed our event or want to relive that wonderful evening, watch it again in our pre-recorded coverage.
Meet our staff, partners and the students we serve in this inspiring look at the Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health video that was featured in our event. Our mission: Bridging health and education to achieve student wellness. Our vision: A world where every child is healthy and successful.
SPONSORS
The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health 2022
A MAGICAL NIGHT BENEFITING A CRITICAL MISSION
Thursday, September 29 | 6 to 9pm
Vibiana | 214 S. Main Street
and streaming online
Downtown Los Angeles
Join us on Sept. 29 as we honor Jeanne Pritzker with the L.A. Trust Visionary Award and Dr. Barbara Ferrer with The L.A. Trust Champion Award, for their leadership and commitment to the health and lives of our students and communities.
Meet your colleagues and support our vision of a world where every student is healthy and successful. The evening will feature dinner prepared by acclaimed Redbird chef Neal Fraser, along with a silent and live auction. Join us in saluting our two honorees and make a difference in student health.
Event Ticket
$200.00 $175.00 per person
Early registration ends on September 9, 2022
Complimentary Valet | Cocktail Business Formal
We are taking every precaution to keep this event safe. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in person or virtually. The event will adhere to the current COVID-19 guidelines.
SPONSORS
Salute to Student Health moves audience, raises awareness
Former L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board member Irma Rosa Viera brought many to tears as she shared, “broken bits and all,” at The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health.
More than 200 healthcare providers, educators and civic leaders met at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles and online September 30 at The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health. The gala raised awareness and funds for student health and honored former L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner and Community Health Director Dr. Margaret Lynn Yonekura of Dignity Health-California Hospital Medical Center (see story).
Will Grice of Kaiser Permanente, board president of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, noted that “we meet at a difficult time. But as hard as this pandemic has been on our healthcare workers and educators, it has been even tougher on our children.” Grice said, “The L.A. Trust is the backbone organization that brings all the pieces and all the players together” for student health, and introduced Executive Director Maryjane Puffer, whom he called “the backbone of The L.A. Trust.”
Puffer acknowledged the pandemic’s toll. “Schools were closed, clinics were shuttered, hospitals were overwhelmed and there were long lines at food banks. Twenty-five thousand of our fellow Angelenos died.” She said many nonprofits, including The L.A. Trust, “faced an existential crisis.”
“We persevered,” she said, “knowing the kids needed us more than ever.” She said The L.A. Trust was “stronger than before the pandemic hit,” and noted The L.A. Trust had just welcomed eight new employees. “In the comings months we will impact more students and families, and deliver more policy and programs, than ever before.”
Moving remarks
Rosario Rico, health analyst for L.A. County Public Health and former associate program director at The L.A. Trust, introduced the night’s featured guest speaker, Irma Rosa Viera, an undergraduate at Cal State Northridge and a former member of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board at Elizabeth Learning Center.
Rosa Viera said she had “wanted to seem cool, calm and collected” in her remarks, but her work as a Student Advisory Board member had taught her something more important — how to “feel unapologetically me, broken bits and all.”
Rosa Viera then held the audience rapt when she discussed the personal toll COVID-19 had taken on her community, her family and herself.
“On June 15, 2020, I saw my older brother Oscar for the last time as he gasped for air while forcing his body to go to the hospital,” she said. “I just knew he wasn’t coming back.” She said the months that followed his death from COVID have been hard.
“The version of me that finds herself feeling lonely and endlessly crying knows that I have a support system,” she said. “Through learning about the services offered at our Wellness Center in high school, I have been able to use that knowledge and seek therapy, join support groups and understand my grieving process. I have learned that even when times are tough, we are tougher.”
Her emotional remarks brought some to tears and prompted a standing ovation.
Bidding for good
Sponsors for the event included Presenting Sponsor, John and Louise Bryson; Platinum Sponsors, The Anthony & Jeanne Pritkzer Family Foundation and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation; and Gold Sponsors, Kaiser Permanente, Goldman Sachs, and Dr. Margaret Lynn Yonekura.
Silver Sponsors were the California Community Foundation, Delta Dental, William Grice, Jimmy Iovine, L.A. Care, Tangram Interiors, and The Winebaum Family Foundation; and Bronze Sponsors, Anthem Blue Cross, Big Smiles, Jordan B. Keville of Davis Wright Tremain, Drew Hodgson, Health Net and Liberty Dental.
The evening included a Silent Auction and an entertaining Live Auction featuring trips to Africa, Hawaii and Mexico. “Fund-a-need” pledges helped raise thousands of dollars for The L.A. Trust’s student engagement programs. Moved by the evening’s program, Dr. Robert Ross of the California Endowment pledged $10,000.
“We are very grateful for all who came and all who gave,” said Anna Baum, director of development and communications for The L.A. Trust. “Thanks to our sponsors, attendees and bidders, we raised more than $200,000 to fund our programs in the coming year. More important, we brought attention to the need for student healthcare.
“I am especially proud of Irma and the former Student Advisory Board members in our video, who showed everyone what The L.A. Trust mission is all about.”
The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health
A magical night, a critical mission
Thursday, September 29 | 6 to 9 pm
Vibiana | 214 S. Main Street | Downtown Los Angeles
Join civic, education and healthcare leaders at The L.A. Trust’s first annual Salute to Student Health, honoring former Superintendent Austin Beutner of Los Angeles Unified and Dr. Margaret Lynn Yonekura of Dignity-California Hospital Medical Center.
Meet your colleagues and support our vision of a world where every student is healthy and successful. Entertainment, a hosted bar and small bites from Michelin-recommended Redbird included. Join us in saluting our two honorees and make a difference in student health.
All sponsors and ticket purchasers will have the option to attend the event virtually through our livestream.
$150 PER PERSON
RSVP NOW
Sponsorship opportunities | Contact Julie Edens for more information.
Silent Auction Preview and Bidding | Silent Auction donations
Honoring
Sponsors
Collage photos by Vibiana and The L.A. Trust.
The L.A. Trust will honor Austin Beutner at Sept. 30 gala
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner will be honored by The L.A. Trust at its Salute to Student Health event. LAUSD photo.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health will present its first-ever Visionary Award to L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner, September 30 at its Salute to Student Health event at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.
The gala will be attended by members of The L.A. Trust community, including educators, healthcare providers and donors. Registration for the event will open soon.
Learn more, become a sponsor
“We are proud to present this award to Superintendent Beutner,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust. “We honor his innovation, his hard work and his leadership in seeing the school community through the COVID-19 crisis.”
Beutner said, “I am a product of public schools, and I wouldn’t be here today but for my great public education. I have committed myself to making sure children in our community have the same opportunities I was provided with, including quality healthcare.”
Record of achievement
Austin Beutner is a civic leader and public servant who has worked for the last decade to make Los Angeles a stronger community. He was appointed superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second largest, in May 2018.
Under Beutner’s leadership Los Angeles Unified has led the nation in responding to the crisis in public schools created by COVID-19. The school district has provided more than 135 million meals along with 40 million items of needed supplies to the communities it serves, made sure all students have a computer and free internet access to remain connected with their school and to continue learning, and has provided COVID-19 tests and vaccinations to students, staff and community members at schools.
During his tenure, Los Angeles Unified was transformed from a top-down, one-size-fits-all bureaucracy into an organization led by 44 nimble, local teams dedicated to each of the communities it serves. Students, in particular students of color, have made significant progress in early literary and math. High school graduates are provided with jobs while they attend local colleges, and students have the opportunity to participate in an extraordinary set of new classes and programs. One example is a program created with Fender Guitar, where 5,000 middle-school students received a free guitar to participate in teacher-led music classes.
Civic leadership
Beutner has served as first deputy mayor of Los Angeles, publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union Tribune, and co-chair of the LA 2020 Commission and the L.A. Unified Advisory Task Force.
At age 29, Beutner became the youngest partner at The Blackstone Group. He left Blackstone to serve in the U.S. government, where he led a portion of U.S. efforts to help Russia transition to a market economy after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He went on to found Evercore Partners and as president and co-CEO helped build it into one of the leading independent investment firms in the world.
Beutner holds a degree in economics from Dartmouth College and has taught courses in ethics, leadership and effective government at Harvard Business School, the University of Southern California Price School of Public Policy, the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and California State University Northridge.
Beutner currently serves on the board of the National Park Foundation, is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He founded Vision To Learn, a non-profit organization that has provided free eye exams and glasses to more than 250,000 children at schools in low-income communities across the country.
Health educators from The L.A. Trust go back to school
The L.A. Trust and Beyond the Bell have distributed more than 100,000 toothbrushes and other donated oral healthcare items to students and family members as part of Operation Tooth Fairy.
Los Angeles Unified School students are back on campus — and so are oral healthcare educators from The L.A. Trust.
Program Manager Esther Yepez and her kid-friendly puppet Billy visited Logan Street Elementary School in the Echo Park section of Los Angeles May 5. It’s the first of nine such trainings sponsored by a grant from QueensCare.
“Students were extremely excited to learn about the importance of why we brush our teeth and how cavities are formed,” Yepez said. “They learned about the germ called plaque that causes cavities.”
Good to be back
Yepez and Billy addressed four classes — one transitional kindergarten class, two kindergarten classes and one first-grade class. A total of 78 students received the instruction along with oral healthcare kits containing toothbrushes and Sesame Street brochures.
Executive Director Maryjane Puffer of The L.A. Trust said, “It’s good to be back in the classroom, teaching good oral healthcare habits to our kids.”
The L.A. Trust’s oral healthcare mission has continued during the pandemic, Puffer noted. Operation Tooth Fairy distributed more than $455,000 in supplies; The L.A. Trust’s kid-friendly oral health campaign on KLCS and social media reached an audience of more than 1.5 million.
The campaign has made celebrities out of Yepez and Billy. One student in the hallway recognized the pair from their appearances on KLCS. They appeared on the L.A. Unified TV station 150 times during the pandemic.
The L.A. Trust hosts first Youth Mental Health Collaborative
The L.A. Trust, L.A. Unified, healthcare providers and student representatives are uniting to address youth mental health concerns.
Representatives from L.A. Unified School Mental Health, Student Health and Human Services, Wellness Center operators and other concerned organizations met at the first-ever Youth Mental Health Collaborative hosted March 25 by The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health.
Marsha Ellis, director of programs for The L.A. Trust, said, “The Youth Mental Health Collaborative has two objectives — to improve student mental health access and services, and incorporate youth voice into improving the system.” The collaborative is funded by the Ballmer Group and is part of The L.A. Trust Student Mental Health Initiative, launched last fall.
Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust, framed the work, outlining how training, engagement and referral systems will work together in a single strategy encompassing awareness, prevention and intervention, and healthcare access.
Puffer said members of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Boards and after-school providers have already begun training in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Members of The L.A. Trust staff completed the training last year. Members of the Woodcraft Rangers attended the training March. Students will also participate in Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), a suicide prevention program, and will continue to conduct student awareness campaigns on social media and on–campus, when classroom teaching resumes.
Survey finds challenges
Ellis presented survey results about the challenges encountered with remote counseling. The top issue reported was technology, followed by difficulty obtaining consent forms, distractions, lack of privacy, inadequate follow–through and complicated telehealth platforms.
Kim Griffin Esperon, a clinical social worker and administrative coordinator of LAUSD School Mental Health, provided an update on school mental health referrals, which have declined during the pandemic.
Esperon said providers can receive referral requests through several channels. LAUSD has an online “Mail Me” portal that can be used to send and receive parental consent forms. Another consent option is Zoom remote control and signature forms. Parents can also drop off and pick up paper consent forms at schools.
Jaime Ducreux, LAUSD organization facilitator, gave an update on the status of agreements between LAUSD and school-based mental health providers (MOUs). He said it has not been determined when outside providers will be allowed back on campus.
Tanya Mercado, a LAUSD social worker and attendance counselor, and Francisco Dussan of School Mental Health, Innovative Funding for Mental Health, spoke about funding models needed to expand and improve school-based mental health services. Research is still being conducted to investigate funding streams, develop deeper partnerships and recommend policy, practices and legislative changes needed to increase funding and support, they reported.
The one-hour collaborative concluded with a discussion on future bimonthly Youth Mental Health Collaboratives and establishing subcommittees to act as working groups.
Wellness Centers eagerly prepare for school re-openings
Dr. Kevin Fang of CHLA spoke about healthcare inequities at The L.A. Trust Learning Collaborative.
The word of the day was “hopeful” as L.A. Unified representatives, Wellness Center operators and staff from The L.A. Trust prepared for school re-openings at the fourth pandemic-period Wellness Network Learning Collaborative, March 10 on Zoom.
Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, conducted a roll call of representatives from the 17 LAUSD Wellness Centers, noting The L.A. Trust has been hosting the collaboratives for more than a decade.
Health equals success
Guest speaker Dr. Kevin Fang addressed healthcare inequities, saying, “Zip Codes are better determinants of health outcomes than genetic codes.” Children of parents without a high school diploma are more likely to live in an environment with health barriers, Fang said, noting the direct correlation between education and life expectancy, income and smoking.
Fang said chronic absenteeism was a strong predictor of poor academic achievement. COVID-19 has exacerbated an already high chronic absenteeism rate among California public schools, he said, noting it has risen 89%. Proven solutions include school nurses and other forms of school-based health, physical education and individual education plans. Fang suggested ways to increase collaboration between schools and the medical community, including ACES (adverse childhood experiences) training for pediatricians and Wellness Center clinicians and in-class visits by doctors and medical students.
Fang is an attending physician and an assistant program director for the Pediatric Residency Program at CHLA. The former high school biology teacher is also Fellowship Director for the General Academic Pediatrics Fellowship in Health Equity and assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at USC’s Keck School of Medicine.
Report card
Victor Luna, organization facilitator for LAUSD Student Health and Human Services, provided a 2020 report card for the Wellness Network.
Visits to the Wellness Centers were down dramatically due the pandemic and facility closures. Visits varied widely — some clinics never closed and some remained closed for most of the year. Organization Facilitator Gloria Velasquez observed that 2020 was not a good year to determine trend lines in the network.
The two-hour collaborative concluded with a group discussion among the clinicians, educators, Student Advisory Board Adult Allies and The L.A. Trust staff. Topics included telehealth, getting students to make and keep medical appointments, and sexual and reproductive health services.
Appointments for STI prevention and birth control have been most impacted by the pandemic. Without outreach and the confidential setting of the school Wellness Center, students may be reluctant to reach out or use telehealth from home. LAUSD Organization Facilitator Ana Griffin said Wellness Centers and students were countering this through outreach campaigns. “We emphasize to students (who have sexual health questions) that the Wellness Center is a no-judgment zone.”
The L.A. Trust takes action in Children’s Dental Health Month
Los Angeles School Board Member Scott Schmerelson and The L.A. Trust’s Tooth Fairy Maryjane Puffer brought brushes, toothpaste and healthcare info to Columbus Middle School February 10.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health launched a public oral health awareness campaign and distributed 58,000 toothbrushes plus other oral care items in observance of National Children’s Dental Health Month in February.
“Poor oral health is the number one cause of school absenteeism – and it’s entirely preventable,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust. Screenings of 3,399 elementary school students in Los Angeles found that 66% of children had active dental disease, 27% had visible tooth decay and 6% required emergency care.
Puffer said The L.A. Trust is working closely with its partners in the oral health community, including L.A. Unified Student Health and Human Services, LAUSD’s Beyond the Bell division, UCLA’s More LA Smiles, the L.A. County Department of Public Health and other agencies, foundations and dental care providers. Puffer gave special thanks to Crest, which provided toothpaste to go with the thousand of brushes being distributed.
Prevention campaign
Los Angeles School Board member Scott Schmerelson took The L.A. Trust’s Brushing with Billy campaign direct to kids during an online Local District “Twinkle Time” February 3, using the puppet to show young students how to brush, floss and eat right.
“Improving the health and lives of all L.A Unified students and providing access to oral healthcare is a critical element to ensuring student achievement and success,” Schmerelson said. “As we celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month, we are grateful for our partnership with The L.A. Trust and will continue to support their oral health awareness initiative so our students can stay healthy and benefit from a wealth of resources.”
ORAL HEALTH RESOURCES FROM THE L.A. TRUST
The L.A. Trust is releasing three oral health videos on social media this month. The “Brushing with Billy” videos feature Program Manager Esther Yepez and the kid-friendly puppet. The spots, which focus on brushing, flossing and healthy eating, have been aired 150 times on KLCS-TV, reaching an estimated viewership of more than 1.1 million.
The L.A. Trust also facilitated the broadcast of UCLA More LA Smiles oral health TV spots starring Sesame Street characters, which will be shown on KLCS remote learning channels through February.
“People don’t understand the disease process when it comes to cavities – it’s insidious,” said Dr. Jim Crall, project director of More LA Smiles. Simple changes in student behavior can make a big difference and education is key, he said.
“Prevention is key to oral health and that includes screenings and education,” Puffer said. “The pandemic has transformed our oral health education activities but not our commitment. We will continue to use every means at our disposal to ensure that kids and teens enjoy the best possible oral health during this pandemic.”
SHHS Organization Facilitator Gloria Velasquez noted that seven Wellness Centers and school-based health clinics are currently providing partial or full oral health services for students and community members: El Sereno Middle School (Western Dental); Hart Street Elementary School (Dr. Samoha); Jefferson Wellness Center (South Central Family Health Center); Maclay and Sun Valley Middle Schools (NEVHC); Monroe (Valley Community Health, appointment only); and Washington Prep Wellness Center (St. John’s Family and Wellness Center). Call ahead for an appointment.
Oral Health Advisory Board focuses on prevention education
Dr. Jim Crall of UCLA More LA Smiles (and friend) discussed public oral health campaigns during the final Oral Health Advisory Board meeting of 2020.
Representatives of the L.A.’s student oral health community met online December 15 at the fourth and final 2020 meeting of The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory Board.
More than three dozen oral health providers and stakeholders attended the event, which focused on public health campaigns and best practices for student oral healthcare in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, discussed The L.A. Trust’s oral health education campaign on KLCS featuring Program Manager Esther Yepez and her kid-friendly puppet, Billy. The campaign has generated up to 1.5 million views to date.
Puffer thanked QueensCare for funding upcoming student oral healthcare education by The L.A. Trust at nine LAUSD sites and introduced The L.A. Trust’s new Oral Health Toolkit, providing useful resources for student and community dental care providers.
Dr. Maritza Cabezas, dental director for L.A. County Department of Public Health, and Dr. Abrey Daniel, walked attendees through the development of a County oral health education campaign. She outlined the campaign development process, including: determining the need; selecting the audience; developing the message; and crafting the final creative with the help of focus groups. The County’s campaign’s goals are to increase awareness among caregivers of children under 5, demonstrating the importance and ease of at-home oral health habits.
“People don’t understand the disease process when it comes to cavities – it’s insidious,” said Dr. Jim Crall, project director of UCLA More LA Smiles. He said “there are a lot of disconnects in oral health treatment” for children. Simple changes in student behavior can make a big difference and education is key. He previewed a series of TV spots featuring Sesame Street characters, which will be shown on KLCS remote learning channels through February. The L.A. Trust helped facilitate the broadcast of the Sesame Street spots.
Doors still open
Gloria Velasquez, organization facilitator for LAUSD Health and Human Services, said seven Wellness Centers and school-based health clinics were still providing partial or full oral health services for students and community members: El Sereno Middle School (Western Dental); Hart Street Elementary School (Dr. Samoha); Jefferson Wellness Center (South Central Family Health Center); Maclay and Sun Valley Middle Schools (NEVHC); Monroe (Valley Community Health, appointment only); and Washington Prep Wellness Center (St. John’s Family and Wellness Center).
Crall noted that the Medi-Cal Dental Transformation Initiative would continue but local DTI pilot programs would not. UCLA’s More LA Smiles LADRRS program (Los Angeles Dental Registry & Referral System) would be sustained for now and potentially integrated into the Department of Health Care Services.