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Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in student health, education, and our organization's updates and events.
Mission Report 2023: A year of impact
The 2023 Mission Report from The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health has been unveiled, chronicling a remarkable year for our board, staff, partners, donors, volunteers, and the students we serve.
This year's Mission Report illustrates how The L.A. Trust has built upon last year's achievements and highlights our unwavering commitment to enhancing student health and engagement. As our dedicated team and board members continue to strengthen the crucial link between student success and student health, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for your ongoing support. Together, we work towards empowering our students to not only thrive and excel but also emerge as the inspiring leaders of tomorrow. Our work would not be possible without the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in 2024!
New report shows concerning rise in obesity rates among LAUSD students
Changes from 2018-2022
The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health has released a comprehensive Data xChange Impact Report for the school year of 2021-2022, providing valuable insights into the impact of Wellness Centers and school-based health centers (SBHCs) in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). These centers play a crucial role in delivering essential health services to students, families, and community members, underscoring their commitment to health equity and inclusivity.
Since 2015, The Data xChange has experienced a remarkable expansion, with the number of its medical clinics more than doubling. Today that number includes 15 Wellness Centers and 8 other school-based health centers located in underserved communities. The system has grown and for good reason. Over the years, the Wellness Centers and SBHCs have been instrumental in providing care to over 300,000 patients through nearly 900,000 visits. Serving as a medical home for many students, these centers focus on prevention, education, early intervention, and screening to promote well-being and academic achievement.
Wellness Centers and School-Based Health Centers at LAUSD.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the centers have witnessed an encouraging increase in the number of visits, returning to pre-pandemic levels last year. However, the report highlights a concerning rise in diagnoses of being overweight or obese, emphasizing the need to address associated health risks.
While there has been a decline in visits for contraceptive management, which reflects a nationwide trend influenced by the pandemic, the report notes a significant increase in chlamydia screening, underscoring the centers' commitment to addressing critical aspects of sexual health.
The report also emphasizes the importance of dental care services provided by the centers. Poor oral health has been linked to chronic diseases in adults and academic difficulties among students. With over 175,000 dental care visits since 2015, these centers are bridging the gap in access to dental care.
The patient demographics indicate that Latinx patients form the largest proportion, mirroring the composition of LAUSD's student population. The Wellness Centers extend their care to not just students but also families and community members, with a higher proportion of female visitors compared to males.
Changes in the proportion of all visits for specific types of services from 2018-2019 to the 2021-2022 school year.
Additionally, the data reveals a concerning increase in diagnoses of anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among community members. This aligns with the national trend of rising anxiety, depression, and substance use.
The findings of this report underscore the crucial and irreplaceable role that Wellness Centers and SBHCs play in delivering comprehensive healthcare services. These centers are deeply committed to ensuring health equity and refusing to leave anyone behind. They have become a cornerstone of healthcare and a reliable source of support within the highest need areas of Los Angeles.
About the Data xChange
The Data xChange is guided by an Expert Advisory Council that includes representatives from the following organizations: Children Now, Community Clinic Association of LA County, Community Coalition, Community Health Councils, First 5 Los Angeles, Inner City Struggle, Kaiser Permanente, L.A. Care Health Plan, LAUSD Student Health & Human Services, LAUSD Office of Data & Accountability, Prevention Institute, The Children’s Health Partnership and The Advancement Project.
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."
The L.A. Trust supports LAUSD Narcan policy update
Overdose deaths in the United States have skyrocketed in recent years, fueled in large part by an exponential rise in synthetic opioid use, primarily fentanyl. In 2016 the National Institute of Health reported fentanyl as the number one killer in overdoses, with about 20,000 deaths. Five years later in 2021, that number rose to almost 70,000 overdose deaths. With the nation seeking answers, headlines report students overdosing in Los Angeles schools, including a 15-year-old who passed on in a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) school bathroom.
In response to this crisis, the LAUSD announced that schools will be provided with naloxone, a nasal spray that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The district is providing Narcan, a brand name for naloxone, and has trained staff on its proper administration. As part of this ongoing effort, LAUSD also announced plans to update its policy permitting students to carry Narcan. This step will ensure the safety and well-being of at-risk students and demonstrates the district's proactive, compassionate, and practical response to the opioid crisis.
The LAUSD Narcan student policy update received enthusiastic support from numerous student advocacy organizations, including The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health (The L.A. Trust), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, UCLA Health, Azusa Pacific University, and Youth Health Services. The L.A. Trust was proud to be a part of the coalition that called for district-wide access to Narcan. As a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of students in the district, The L.A. Trust sees Narcan access and availability as another tool to keep our students safe, preventing overdoses and saving lives.
Used correctly, Narcan blocks the brain receptors that respond to opioids like heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl. Administered as a nasal mist, Narcan reverses the symptoms of an overdose such as shallow breathing, slowed heart rate or unresponsiveness, and can help stabilize the user until medical personnel arrive on the scene.
The L.A. County Department of Public Health also added their voice to the calls for Narcan, strengthening the coalition’s shared cause and ultimately shaping policy. LAUSD Chief Medical Director Dr. Malhotra said, “Collaboration among these organizations proved to be more effective than going alone, and we are grateful for each other's backup. Overall, the efforts of these outside influences were crucial in shaping this Narcan policy update.”
While having Narcan readily available in schools can mean the difference between life and death, some individuals have opposed its use in schools due to concerns it would encourage student drug use. However, research has shown that Narcan does not lead to an increase in drug abuse. In fact, some studies have shown that the use of Narcan can reduce opioid abuse. In addition, Narcan can cause opioid withdrawal symptoms, which is an effective abuse deterrent.
It is important to remember that Narcan is not a cure for opioid addiction, and nothing can replace comprehensive addiction treatment and support to address its root cause. Having Narcan readily available can, however, be a critical step in saving lives.
We must continue working together to protect young people from further losses caused by the opioid epidemic. Advocacy efforts like ours and the subsequent policy changes, such as this one taken by LAUSD, are critical to providing potentially life-saving treatment, in which every second counts. It is inspiring to see such collaboration among dedicated individuals and groups who are passionate about improving student health and safety in our schools.
A big win for The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health
Student Advisory Board members set up peer to peer student health campaign.
The L.A. Trust is thrilled to announce that it will be part of a $4 billion investment in the newly launched California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP). The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Community Schools Initiative invited The L.A. Trust and UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS) to partner in a bid to become one of the eight Regional Technical Assistance Centers in the state to receive funding. It was announced last November that our proposal was awarded as part of $58 million in contracts.
These historic grants will strengthen current County Offices of Education efforts to grow community schools by providing technical assistance in everything from fundraising to setting up peer-to-peer student health campaigns. Schools that wish to transition to community schools (and who need guidance in applying for funds to do so), as well as schools that have already begun functioning as community schools, are eligible for this technical assistance.
As the community schools movement takes hold, many are wondering what differentiates a community school from a charter, a traditional, or other type of school. A community school serves as a hub for the community, providing educational and social services to students and their families. Community schools often have partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies to provide services such as health care, counseling, and after-school programs. These schools aim to support the whole child and address the non-academic barriers to learning that students may face, such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate housing.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said. “These Regional Technical Assistance Centers (RTACs) will work on the ground with local educational agencies and school sites to provide essential guidance. This is the moment for us to double down on our commitment to transform public education through the implementation of the CCSPP."
Community schools are a key initiative of California’s historic transformation of public schools that includes universal free school meals; universal transitional kindergarten; before- and after-school learning; and investments in teacher training, coaching, recruitment, and retention.
Community schools have existed for years, but the CCSSP is California’s first statewide initiative to provide funding, support, and standardization of the program through common guiding pillars: integrated services, including trauma-informed health services; expanded learning time and opportunities; collaborative leadership and practices for educators and administrators to support school climate; and engaging students, families, and the community.
Research shows that community schools can result in better school attendance, better grades and test scores, higher enrollment in college-prep classes, and higher graduation rates. The L.A. Trust is grateful for the vote of confidence from LACOE and the opportunity to increase our service footprint. We are excited and inspired to expand and implement our mission. Let’s get to work!
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
The L.A. Trust expands team to meet its missions
New additions to The L.A. Trust team will enable us to expand research, best practices and services affecting hundreds of thousands of students and their families.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health is expanding its team to meet new challenges and fulfill new grants.
Alex Zepeda has joined The L.A. Trust as a full-time senior data and research analyst. Zepeda will oversee The L.A. Trust Data xChange, a multimillion-dollar initiative that links student health metrics with academic and attendance data to identify concerns and find solutions. She will also support other research projects, programs funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and the Operations Committee of The L.A. Trust board of directors.
The Pasadena resident has served as a research analyst at Child360 and worked at the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities. Zepeda has a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and master’s in public health from UCLA.
“We are excited to have Alex on board,” said Marsha Ellis, director of programs for The L.A. Trust. “The L.A. Trust believes in data-driven solutions and Alex is the perfect person to help us find them.”
More development
Summer intern Erick Escalante, health connections intern, will promote The L.A. Trust’s school-based health census; align policy and legislative work to support LAUSD Wellness Centers; collect, organize and communicate SBIRT data; and help prepare reports on the overall Wellness Initiative.
Julie Edens has joined The L.A. Trust as a fundraising and events consultant reporting to Development and Communications Director Anna Baum. Edens will work part-time managing fundraising events, including the upcoming Salute to Student Health event and individual giving campaigns.
Also reporting to Baum is Hailey Jures, who will continue to serve The L.A. Trust as development consultant and grant writer. Jures is completing her master’s degree in public affairs at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
University of San Francisco undergraduate Erin Brown, who joined The L.A. Trust as an intern in March, will become a part-time communications assistant in August, reporting to Rob Wray, associate director of communications and media.
“Hailey has been an important part of our team for years,” Baum said. “I have worked closely with Julie Edens at the CLARE Foundation and seen her skills in action. And in just a few short months, Erin has proven herself in a key communications function,” Baum said. “Together, they will help The L.A. Trust raise its profile in the community and raise the funds we need to accomplish our missions.”
Partner profile: Satterberg Foundation is giving with heart
The Satterberg Foundation is a lead sponsor of the Seattle Equity Summit, which helps leaders and the public share strategies that advance equity. Photo by Jovelle Tamayo.
By Anna Baum
Donors are truly members of the non-profit family, and nowhere is that more evident than in the case of the Satterberg Foundation.
It helps that the Satterberg board and staff see their work as vital to their own well-being. Board Member Ben Lazarus and Caroline Miceli, director of operations and special interest grants, spoke to us recently and shared about Satterberg’s “secret sauce.”
“It’s about building trust,” said Caroline, “how to build relationships and trust.” The L.A. Trust has benefited greatly from Satterberg’s supportive stance — Caroline was the first to reach out when the pandemic hit, schools closed, and the bottom dropped out for so many nonprofits. A grantee since 2018, we had developed the relationships between their staff and ours that build trust.
A few months later when the murder of George Floyd rocked the nation and sparked a new chapter of its long climb out of racist roots, Satterberg was right there, asking its grantees again: what do you need?
Being human together
The answers led them to creating spaces “just to be human together,” and to Satterberg hosting professionally led Virtual Health, Healing & Caucusing meetings for both Black, Indigenous, People of Color and white-bodied cohorts. These gatherings offered a rare opportunity to begin the often-difficult conversations and healing processes as we engage in the national reckoning about systemic racism and its fall-out.
The Satterberg Foundation states that it “strengthens our communities by promoting a just society and a sustainable environment. Doing this work deepens the interconnection of our family.” Founded in by 1990 by Virginia Satterberg Pigott Helsell out of her and her husband’s love for their family, it continues to be a well of inspiration for their children and grandchildren.
Ben, Virginia’s step-grandson, is “grateful for the amount of family time it builds into my life.” A production sound mixer in Los Angeles, he looked forward to board meetings in Seattle before the pandemic, which allowed him to see his grandfather and other family members more frequently. The board is now composed of about 50% each of the two generations.
Extended family
The “family” in Satterberg’s mission statement is literal, but also resonates with the foundation’s vision of our human family. When Caroline started seven years ago, Sarah Walczyk was the only staff member, and the Satterberg family members did most of the work. Sarah is now executive director, with seven staff members and growing. Taking the long view of what organizations (as families) need in order to thrive, they focus on multiyear, core support grants.
They also understand the benefits for everyone of being “process light” in their grants process. Originally they asked interested organizations to send a page, and decided on the basis of that whether to schedule a visit. One organization sent an idea the writer had while folding laundry and drinking wine, about growing a lemon tree in a trash can. “That candor was an oasis in a desert of really dry letters,” Ben said. They set up a visit and the idea went on to be a form of community garden. The process has evolved, but they continue to ”connect on a human level, not on a KPI level,” in Caroline’s words.
Frank and open
This “come as you are” attitude helps grantees be frank about the issues and open about lessons learned. “We show up as humans, imperfect, all trying to mitigate power imbalances and talk about what people and organizations need,” said Caroline. “It’s a mosaic, not a traditional, white-dominated way. We’re centering and amplifying voices in our community, being an advocate through dollars or using one’s platform.”
This leads to the question of how to vet nonprofits to ensure the funds have the strongest impact. The L.A. Trust was recently awarded another five-year core support grant. How does the Foundation make such decisions? “Through community,” says Caroline. They look at what the work is, who is doing it, and whether the work, staff and board are coming from the communities served. Site visits clarify whether there is alignment with Satterberg’s mission and values.
Two of those values are moral courage and joy — qualities needed now more than ever. The L.A. Trust is grateful for the founders and stewards of the unique foundation; their comradeship helps sustain those values in our work.
Youth COVID-19 campaign will hit close to home
Students on The L.A. Trust COVID-19 Youth Task Force are developing a campaign to promote awareness and vaccination in Los Angeles.
High school students from 16 different campuses have joined The L.A. Trust COVID-19 Youth Task Force to educate their communities about the dangers of the coronavirus and the importance of vaccination. For many — quarantined for a year and grieving lost loved ones — the effort is personal.
“While all of our youth have been impacted one way or another, some of them are also grieving lost family members,” Nina Lee Tran, program manager for The L.A. Trust. “These youth applied to our Task Force and were selected to go through a rigorous and fast-paced program to learn more about COVID-19 and make a difference through their campaign.”
The task force is funded by a grant from Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg (Sanberg’s grant was facilitated by Ethos Giving). The task force started work March 1 and will continue through the end of August. The students, ages 15 to 17, have a lot on their plate, including learning about COVID and developing community presentations and social media campaigns.
Follow the task force on Instagram @covid_19ytf
The students’ participation “reminds me that youth are eager to learn and impact their communities, even during the pandemic,” Tran said.
Learning will be on two tracks: Students will become informed about the virus, the disease and vaccination, and will also become experts on communicating their message at community meetings and on social media.
Learning from experts
The 22 student members meet two hours per week and learn about COVID-19 from experts from UCLA, including Dr. Moira Inkelas, Dr. Vladimir Manuel and Dr. Jennifer B. Peralta. Topics include the biology and virology of COVID-19; understanding data and interpreting local testing and vaccination rates; and understanding vaccines.
The second half of each weekly two-hour session will focus on campaign and presentation development. It will be led by Tran, Program Manager Esther Yepez of The L.A. Trust, and Sabrina Rodrigues, an MPH fellow from UCLA.
High schools and charter schools represented on the task force are: Alliance Ted K. Tajima High School; Bell High School; Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy; Carson High School; Crenshaw High School; Girls Academic Leadership Academy; Huntington Park High School; Jordan High School; Locke High School; Manual Arts High School; San Pedro High School; South East High School; STEM Academy of Boyle Heights; STEM Academy of Hollywood; University Prep Value High School Charter; and West Adams High School.
Mission Report: The L.A. Trust pivoted during pandemic
Our lockdown year (clockwise from top left): The L.A. Trust attended an on-campus healthcare rally; distributed PPE at St. John’s; taught little ones to brush on KLCS; handed out 100,000 toothbrushes during Operation Tooth Fairy; engaged students on Zoom; and helped promote the online CSHA Conference with State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health has released its 2021 Mission Report documenting an extraordinary year for the nonprofit agency and its stakeholders.
“Last year was challenging, especially for our underserved communities,” Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust, told stakeholders. “But it was not a lost year.”
“Like our students, teachers, school staff and healthcare providers, we found new strength, learned new skills and made new connections online,” Puffer said. “Like them, we found new ways of accomplishing our mission.”
The 16-page Mission Report details how the L.A. Trust pivoted during the quarantine. It transferred in-person meetings to online platforms like Zoom; expanded education campaigns on social media and television; and distributed more than 100,000 oral healthcare items and PPE at Wellness Centers and schools.
The L.A. Trust launched a new Student Mental Health Initiative and educated legislators about the need for school-based healthcare. It also convened experts and stakeholders at online forums and engaged student health advocates at virtual events. The L.A. Trust also launched a new website and rallying cry, “Putting the care in student healthcare.”
Students the unsung heroes
“Our partners stepped up to support us as we pivoted,” the report notes. “Los Angeles Unified School District emerged as a national leader in handling the crisis, and healthcare providers saved lives, while risking their own.”
An introductory message from Puffer and Board Chair Will Grice said, “The unsung heroes of the pandemic were our young people, who managed online education, nursed sick loved ones and shouldered increased family responsibilities.”
The Mission Report documents The L.A. Trust’s activities in nine key areas: Advocacy, healthy living/nutrition, mental health, oral health, research, sexual and reproductive health, student engagement, substance use prevention and support for L.A. Unified’s 17 Wellness Centers.
The report also lists key funders of The L.A. Trust, board members, Wellness Centers and Student Advisory Boards. It includes a financial report for the 12 months ended June 30, 2020 showing how the organization withstood the economic downturn by lowering overhead and raising funds through new grants and individual donations.
“I especially want to thank our executive committee and board for guiding us through this tumultuous year,” Puffer said. “Their expertise, counsel and personal fundraising activities were indispensable.”
It was a year that challenged almost everything
Empty classrooms and full intensive care units created a year of unprecedented challenges for Los Angeles students, educators and healthcare providers.
A pandemic. An uprising. An education crisis. And an economic crash. The year 2020 was one of the most challenging years in our history — and an outsize share of those challenges were borne by the students, educators and healthcare workers we serve.
“Our friends rallied around us, and we rallied around them during this crisis,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. “But the problems experienced in 2020 — healthcare and income disparity, racial injustice, distrust of our institutions and inadequate public health facilities — did not start in 2020 and will not disappear in 2021. We have so much work to do.”
The L.A. Trust adapted quickly to the pandemic and school closures in mid-March, transferring in-person outreach to social media and face-to-face meetings to online platforms like Zoom.
With schools on lockdown and many Wellness Centers closed, The L.A. Trust redoubled its efforts to address the primary, oral and mental health needs of Los Angeles Unified students:
Held Wellness Center Learning Collaboratives online in May, October and December to discuss urgent issues related to the pandemic. The three online events were attended by a total of nearly 200 healthcare providers, researchers and L.A. Unified facilitators.
Provided its stakeholders with information about the unfolding pandemic, interviewing experts like Barbara Ferrer, head of L.A. County Public Health, and Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, operator of Wellness Centers at Lincoln, Manual Arts and Washington Prep, which have remained open during COVID.
June: Distributed more than 50,000 toothbrushes as part of Operation Tooth Fairy, garnering widespread media coverage about the importance of maintaining oral health.
July/December: Conducted virtual convenings of The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory board to help providers pivot during COVID crisis. An in-person meeting was held in March, pre-COVID.
July: Moved its nutrition programs online, reaching nearly 80,000 students and community members with Facebook workshops and professionally produced cooking videos.
August: Trained student health advocates at our first-ever Summer Academy and supported Student Advisory Board members and their allies throughout the pandemic.
August: The L.A. Trust launched our Student Mental Health Initiative, funded by a $100,000 grant by Cedars-Sinai and a $50,000 grant by Health Net. The initiative will train students as peer leaders through The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards, increasing awareness of symptoms like anxiety and depression, and building positive coping mechanisms and self-referrals to care. The initiative will include student-run social media campaigns and online trainings such as “Youth Mental Health First Aid” starting in the fall.
September: Educated more than 40 state legislators and their staff on the need for school-based healthcare during a first-ever virtual Advocacy Day.
September: Launched a new website for The L.A. Trust with expanded resources and a new rallying cry, “Putting the care in student healthcare.”
October: Helped promote and conduct the online California School-Based Health Alliance Conference, attended by nearly 1,000 health advocates from across the state.
October: Released a Data xChange Report on the impact of L.A. Unified Wellness Centers over the past five years.
Fall: Partnered with L.A. Unified and KLCS-TV to broadcast The L.A.Trust-produced nutrition and oral health spots reaching an audience of up to 2.3 million students and family members.
Fall: The L.A. Trust’s program managers, adult allies, director of programs and executive director completed the eight-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training and received certification as YMHFA providers. The L.A. Trust’s program manager in turn trained dozens of Student Advisory Board members in the How to H.E.L.P. A Friend curriculum.
November: Worked with the office of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the T.H.E. Clinic to distribute thousands of N95 protective masks to frontline healthcare workers at Los Angeles Unified Wellness Centers.
December: Created a new Oral Health Toolkit to put resources at dental providers’ fingertips.
“It has been a devastating year,” Puffer said, “and the effects are far from over. But last year witnessed unimaginable courage, resilience and resourcefulness. We are so proud of our students, educators, healthcare providers and partners in Los Angeles Unified and beyond.”
Foundations sustain The L.A. Trust through COVID-19
Ballmer Group is among the foundations that have stepped up to support the work of The L.A. Trust during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the midst of the suffering and uncertainty of our multiple pandemics, the outpouring of community support from the philanthropic world has been heartening and reassuring. We continue to receive grants that make the difference for students between empty days and much-needed healing and enrichment. The following funders have committed grants this past quarter to benefit those we serve:
Ballmer Group notified us of their intention to invest on a large scale in student mental health through a two-year, $300,000 grant that will support our Student Mental Health Initiative, including Youth Mental Health Collaboratives. The purpose of The L.A. Trust project is to increase mental health education and prevention among Los Angeles Unified students within the Wellness Network by launching a collaborative made up of LAUSD leaders, Wellness Center staff, and community mental health organizations to identify and resolve obstacles to care. Student input will be a key component informing the group’s work. The group will also advocate for needed policy change at the district and county level. Much like our Wellness Network Learning Collaborative, our Oral Health Advisory Board and Data xChange Expert Advisory Council, this collaborative aims to improve students’ well-being through increased cooperation among stakeholders.
Ballmer Group supports efforts to improve economic mobility for children and families in the United States who are disproportionately likely to remain in poverty. This generous grant reflects their belief that building pathways to opportunity requires broad, systemic change.
Dignity Health is also making a significant investment in mental health, through a three-year effort funded in part by UniHealth Foundation to increase the awareness, skills and capacity of local community organizations and individuals to identify mental distress, address the impacts of trauma, reduce stigma and increase resiliency via delivery of mental health awareness education. The project focuses on children and youth of color and the adults who care for them in areas where high health disparities persist. Through a grant of $65,000, The L.A. Trust is joining in the second year of the project and will train after-school and academic support programs in Youth Mental Health First Aid and students in peer-to-peer outreach. We’re honored to work with the many organizations pioneering this effort.
FCancer awarded The L.A. Trust $12,000 to expand HPV education and increase HPV vaccinations during the fall semester at the schools we serve. This is an extension of FCancer’s Take a Shot campaign. FCancer is dedicated to prevention, early detection, and providing emotional support to those affected by cancer. We have been working with FCancer since 2016 and are proud to continue this key cancer prevention initiative in spite of the limitations imposed by COVID-19 precautions.
QueensCare is partnering with us for the first time through a $50,000 grant to support oral health education for children and their caregivers associated with nine local elementary schools. The L.A. Trust will share information via educational branded videos and live video chats with our community members. A nonprofit organization with compassion at its core, QueensCare offers direct patient care through a mobile dental program at many LAUSD schools and in the community. Understanding that tooth decay is the most pervasive, yet preventable, chronic disease among children in the United States, we are very grateful to continue our long-standing commitment to oral health for children through this grant. The support from QueensCare comes at a critical point in the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing The L.A. Trust to deliver much-needed educational outreach when many cannot access adequate dental care.
Satterberg Foundation has been a key supporter over the last three years through its seminal Core Support Grants. The Foundation recently let us know that they intend to provide another five years of general operating support in the form of $125,000 a year. The mission of the Seattle-based foundation is to promote a just society and a sustainable environment. The founders, board members, and staff of the Satterberg Foundation have a highly progressive, inclusive approach to grant-making. Their goal is to help organizations achieve their goals, to adapt to change, to innovate and to improve their ability to serve the community. They have been foundational in The L.A. Trust’s growth over the past three years, and we’re deeply honored to be continuing this relationship.
Our current times illuminate with great clarity the ways in which all of us are interconnected. The interdependence of student services, social progress, and philanthropy can be seen in these generous grants from committed, forward-thinking institutions. We remain grateful for and inspired by these sustaining relationships.
Board members of The L.A. Trust will work up a sweat to raise funds
Board members and supporters of The L.A. Trust are challenging their friends and colleagues to sponsor them in a fall fundraiser Up to Us.
Board members and other supporters of The L.A. Trust will be biking, running, walking, swimming and participating in other activities November 16-29 to raise funds as part of the organization’s Thanksgiving fundraising campaign, “Up to Us: The L.A. Trust.”
Donate now
The participants are asking friends and colleagues to help them meet the campaign’s goal of $15,000. All donations will go to The L.A. Trust to support its student and community activities, including prevention education, Oral Health Initiative, research and best practices, mental and behavioral health, Wellness Center support and other needs.
“The coronavirus has required us to devise new ways to continue preventive healthcare education and access at a time we need it most,” said Will Grice of Kaiser Permanente, board president of The L.A. Trust. “The mission of The L.A. Trust is to bridge the gap in healthcare in our underserved communities, and that mission is more important now than ever.”
To sponsor a Board member or supporter Donate Now. To register as a Truster and ask your friends and colleagues to support your activity Register Now.
The L.A. Trust launches new website and campaign
The L.A. Trust’s new website and rallying cry — Putting the care in student healthcare — is the culmination of a reinvention and rebranding initiative started last year.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health has launched a new rallying cry, website and outreach to help it better serve students, community members, allies and healthcare partners throughout the region.
“This website is the part of a reinvention process we began last year,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust. “Since then, we’ve developed new strategies, values, vision and mission statements. We introduced new branding, communications and outreach. Today we introduce a new website and a new rallying cry, ‘Putting the care in student healthcare.’
Multiple pandemics
“We’re fighting multiple pandemics.” Puffer said. “Our students are hurting, our communities are struggling and many of our institutions are reeling. Our new rallying cry represents The L.A. Trust’s commitment to help our kids and teens address the challenges they face.”
Rob Wray, associate director for communications and media at The L.A. Trust said, “Our new website tells the story of The L.A. Trust. It outlines our missions, showcases our work and provides important resources on student health,” he said.
“This site, developed in-house and by LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing, is the beginning of the process, not the end,” he said. “We will add more resources, more news and more stories going forward, evolving with the needs of our constituents and partners.
Board members of The L.A. Trust strategize in face of COVID-19
Dr. Manuel Pastor, author and distinguished professor at USC, briefed The L.A. Trust Board on healthcare inequties and demographic dynamics impacting student wellness.
The coronavirus crisis and healthcare inequity topped the agenda as members of the Board of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health gathered online for their annual retreat August 6-7.
The objectives of the retreat were to understand the current landscape for student health and wellness in Los Angeles, assess the status of The L.A. Trust and its strategic plan, understand the priorities of L.A. Unified, and identify opportunities to pivot.
Board members and officers also welcomed a new member, Jordan Keville of the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine, who will replace Dennis S. Diaz effective January 1.
Dr. Manuel Pastor, distinguished professor of sociology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California, opened the retreat with a detailed overview of demographic dynamics impacting California and student and community health, including the impact of coronavirus on communities of color.
Pastor, author of State of Resistance: What California’s Dizzying Descent and Remarkable Resurgence Mean for America’s Future, noted that California is a majority people of color state, and the nation will follow in its footsteps in the next two decades.
“Racism in our society is a feature, not a bug,” he said. “We must teach young people to be racism ready and racism resistant – that is, able to stand up for themselves and understand that racism is a system” that must be fought.
Students tell it like it is
Members of The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards from Crenshaw, Locke and John Marshall High Schools shared with the Board their personal and candid accounts of life during lockdown.
One student had tested positive for COVID-19 and was isolated from her parents, who were taken ill with virus. She said she had lost several loved ones to the COVID-19.
Other students reported being family caregivers while their parents worked outside the home, and a few said the lockdown had enabled them to get closer to their families.
Asked how things could be improved, one student said, “Youth have a lot of stuff happening. Slow down the (school) demands.” Another student said he would like to visit his campus in person one time. Students were concerned that classmates were falling behind. “Most of our friends have not finished all their classes, they have to go to Saturday school to make it up.”
One student was concerned about “foster kids or very poor kids who didn’t have food, electricity or rent. A lot of my peers haven’t been eating.” Her biggest frustration was not being able to go out to her school and community to help.
Related:
COVID-19 worsens L.A.’s food crisis: How to get help (or help others)
What my ‘summer book club’ taught me about student health centers
Cami Slavkin, summer intern at The L.A. Trust, has been studying the importance of school-based health centers to student health.
By Cami Slavkin
As a recent graduate from LACES, a Title I L.A. Unified school without a school-based health center, my knowledge of these health centers was slim. But I was aware of the vital need for their existence, and I knew many of my classmates did not have access to private insurance and quality healthcare, a luxury I took for granted.
Not only was I unfamiliar with how SBHCs were implemented and utilized on campuses, I was didn’t realize the planning, funding and analysis that went into them.
My understanding of these SBHCs greatly increased during the first month of my summer internship at The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. I had the invaluable opportunity to join the “June Journal Club” with several members of The L.A. Trust staff. Each week we met via Zoom to discuss academic journal articles that made the case for SBHCs and demonstrated the crucial role they play on school campuses.
During these four weeks, we read and discussed a variety of articles, including “Twenty Years of School-Based Health Care Growth and Expansion,” published by Health Affairs, and “School-based Health Services and Educational Attainment,” based on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health.
Evolution of SBHCs
I learned about the history of SBHCs, how they’ve evolved over the past 20 years, what services they provide and how they are funded. We read about longitudinal studies discussing the correlation between the presence of SBHCs and students’ school connectedness and future educational attainment. These journal articles showed me how SBHCs impact students and communities, and gave me valuable experience in reading academic peer-reviewed journals.
While I gained a wealth of knowledge from these readings, the group discussions were what really helped strengthen my understanding. These discussions with accomplished members of The L.A. Trust staff delved deep into a variety of topics, and included their first-hand experience working directly with these SBHCs and the students they serve. Their experiences and analysis of each reading gave me a deeper insight into how school-based healthcare works. Hearing of the staff’s encounters at these schools enhanced my understanding of SBHCs and allowed me to better comprehend the studies we read.
I also learned about the importance of the relationship between SBHCs and schools, the power of self-consent, and the influence of public policy. The June Journal Club was a powerful experience. The knowledge I gained will support me not just during my internship with The L.A. Trust, but throughout my future endeavors. While I not sure what career path I’ll pursue, I am certain I want to make a difference. My experience at The L.A. Trust and the June Journal Club is sure to help me do that.
A special message: Our young people are hurting
The death of George Floyd has brought the issue of racism and police brutality to the forefront once again. But our Black and Brown students do not need reminding — they live the reality of racism every day.
Racism affects every aspect of American life, from policing and criminal justice to our healthcare and education systems. Its legacy is economic inequality, underfunded schools and inadequate healthcare.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health was founded 19 years ago to help address disparities in access to healthcare and prevention programs. With the COVID crisis and economic recession, these inequities are getting worse, not better.
Our families are hurting. Our young people are angry. Well-meaning proclamations will not do. We need real reform in criminal justice, healthcare and education. We cannot do this overnight, but we must begin.
Maryjane Puffer
Executive Director