Join California School-Based Health Conference online October 6-8

Staff from L.A. Unified Wellness Centers can register for the CSHA virtual California School-Based Health Conference free of charge.

The California School-Based Health Alliance’s Statewide School-Based Health Conference will take place online October 6-8 this year, and all student healthcare providers and supporters are invited to join The L.A. Trust in attending. This year’s theme is “School Health on the Frontlines: Navigating Pandemics & Building Equity.”

Staff from L.A. Unified Wellness Centers can register for the conference free of charge. (Click Tickets and then Enter Promo Code TRUST20.)

Dr. Tichianaa Armah, renowned school-based health provider and Yale School of Medicine professor, will be the keynote speaker. The event schedule will include more than 35 workshops and leading healthcare providers and others will appear in a Virtual Exhibit Hall. 

“School-based health centers are stepping up to provide critical support and healthcare access to the students most impacted by the intersecting pandemics of COVID-19 and the public health crisis of racism,” organizers said. “This conference is an opportunity to connect, learn and grow as we face unprecedented challenges.”

For more information visit the CSHA conference website or register now.

This post was updated 10/05/2020 at 11:24 a.m.

Student leaders and The L.A. Trust advocate for school-based health

Mayra Alvarez, president of The Children’s Partnership, rallied more than 50 school-based health advocates at the CSHA’s first-ever virtual Advocacy Day. 

More than 50 school-based health advocates briefed 42 California lawmakers and their staffs August 5 during the California School-Based Health’s Alliance’s first-ever virtual Advocacy Day. 

Students from several of The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards joined staff members from The L.A. Trust, CSHA and other organizations at the legislative briefings, which focused on top policy priorities made more urgent by COVID-19. These priorities include healthcare and SBHC funding, student mental health, substance use prevention, and coordination by state departments (Education, Health Care Services and Public Health) to strengthen partnership with School-Based Health Centers. 

Mayra Alvarez, president of The Children’s Partnership, rallied the online advocates. Noting that California is a national leader in health insurance coverage with 97 to 98% of all kids covered, “you all know it’s not enough to be covered.” She saluted those working on the frontlines of student health and said, “we have shared goals and a shared partnership.” 

A time of reckoning 

Alvarez tied the issue of health equity to the larger issue of race. “This is a reckoning — a racial reckoning,” she said. “It is truly wiser when we listen to those marching in the streets. Going back is accepting the status quo — we can pave a better path forward for California and the nation.” 

Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust, stressed the importance of school-based health and thanked all the attendees for speaking out. Puffer and six other staff members from The L.A. Trust participated in the legislative briefings. 

Lisa Eisenberg, policy director for CSHA, noted that one-third of all California legislators were reached — five lawmakers attended in person. 

“While we really wanted to host in-person advocacy visits earlier this year, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented those plans,” CSHA said. “As this pandemic has disproportionately impacted people served by school-based health centers, it’s more important than ever to share challenges and experiences with policymakers as schools grapple with a changing environment.”  

There are 277 school-based health centers in California, and 274,000 California students have access to high-quality healthcare through these clinics. There are 75 school-based health centers in Los Angeles County, including 16 LAUSD Wellness Centers supported by The L.A. Trust. 

Virtual Advocacy Day for student health August 5

The L.A. Trust will educate Sacramento policymakers August 5 as part of CSBHA’s virtual Advocacy Day for student health.

School health is more important than ever, which is why leaders and program managers from The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health will be educating state policymakers as part of the California School Based Health’s Alliance’s first-ever virtual Advocacy Day on Wednesday, August 5.

School health providers and youth throughout California are invited to join the one-day campaign to educate legislators and policymakers in Sacramento about the importance of school- and community-based efforts to support healthy students — and to outline what they are facing this fall.

RSVP now

When you sign up online you can choose to attend one of CSBHA’s “Getting Ready for Virtual Advocacy Day” webinars:

Tuesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm
Monday, August 3 at 10:00 am

Space is limited so sign up today so you have ample time to plan for your meeting.

Advocacy Day schedule

• Wednesday, August 58:45-9:00 am - Open Virtual Meeting Session

• 9:00-9:30 am - Welcome, virtual rally and overview of visits

• 9:30-10:00 am - Break into teams and prepare for visits

• 10:00 am-12:00 pm- Three to four virtual visits with state legislators and their staff

“Legislators and policymakers need to hear from you – experts on the ground – to learn about the importance of school-based health,” according to CSBHA. “One of the best ways to gain support for better resourced and comprehensive school health services is to share what you know – and see every day – that makes this work so important.

“While we really wanted to host in-person advocacy visits earlier this year, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented those plans,” CSBHA said. “As this pandemic has disproportionately impacted people served by school-based health centers, it’s more important than ever for you to share challenges and experiences with policymakers as schools grapple with a changing environment.”

You will need to sign-up for a free Zoom account (using the same email you use to register for Advocacy Day). CSBHA recommends participating on a computer with good Internet access. You may also download the Zoom app and participate on your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.