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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)
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.
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.
COVID Q&A with Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County Department of Public Health
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, is leading the fight against coronavirus in the nation’s most populous county. She has more than 30 years of experience as a public health leader, philanthropic strategist, educational leader, researcher and community advocate.
Maryjane Puffer is executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health and has led the organization since 2009. The former pediatric nurse is a recognized expert in student health programs and community outreach.
QUESTION BY MARYJANE PUFFER: Los Angeles County and other jurisdictions have been setting new records for COVID-19 cases. Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that the nation could soon be looking at 100,000 cases per day. What happened?
ANSWER BY BARBARA FERRER: The main reasons for the uptick are simple. As more people are going back to work and many sectors are reopening, individuals are in in close contact with many more people. Where businesses and individuals are not observing physical distancing and infection control directives (including the required wearing of a face covering when around others), there is much easier spread of the virus.
Everyone must do their part to ensure we flatten the curve. Every resident and business owner must do their part in following directives that are intended to keep us all safe. If we want to save lives and get these numbers down, people must maintain physical distance from people they don’t live with and they must wear a face covering. These are critical requirements in the Health Officer Order and are two of the best tools we have to protect each other, our families and those most vulnerable in our communities.
We need to all be in this together to help slow the spread of the virus. We have done it before and we must do it again.
Q. Our children have endured months of isolation and anxiety. How do we keep them emotionally and physically fit during the summer and still keep everyone safe?
A. This COVID-19 virus has taken an emotional toll on all of us, and our children are no exception. This is the time of year children should be enjoying summer activities, playing with their friends and making lasting memories.
It is important that parents and guardians create an environment that involves physical activity and allows for time to talk with your children about what is going on in our world right now.
Spending time outside improves mood and well-being and is particularly beneficial to children. I recommend parents in Los Angeles County take full advantage of the natural resources we have, including our beautiful beaches, mountain trails and parks. There are activities sponsored by the County’s Parks and Recreation Department that comply with all public health directives and offer wonderful opportunities for children and families to have fun in our beautiful parks.
Remember, though, it’s important that everyone, including our children, avoid the three Cs: crowds, confined spaces and close contact with people outside your own household. If a trail is crowded, look for another one. If the beach is full of people, move to a less populated area.
I know our children will have memories of the unusual summer they spent this year, and I hope these memories will include the fun and safe things they did with their parents or guardians during this unprecedented time.
Q. I know your department has stepped up to meet this unprecedented emergency. Can you mention some of the resources available to families at this time?
A. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has taken immediate and urgent actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our public health system and safety net is made up of our local, state and federal partners and we will continue to work together to ensure the collective public health of all of our residents. As such the County of Los Angeles has made critical resources readily available for families that have been impacted by the pandemic such as:
Food Banks and Pantries: The County of Los Angeles is committed to feeding our most vulnerable residents during this economic and health crisis. An estimated 2 million residents in the County experience food insecurity on an ongoing basis — more than any county in the nation. This need is sure to continue and possibly increase in the coming months due to job losses associated with COVID-19. The County has many resources available for those in need and they can be found at https://food-resources-lacounty.hub.arcgis.com/
Mental Health: The County’s Department of Mental Health has a 24/7 hotline for people in need of mental health services. Anyone in need of these important health services should call (800) 854-7771.
Online Library Services: The Los Angeles County Library has many digital resources you can access 24/7, including eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, TV, homework help, online classes and more. There’s even online story time for children. For more information, visit https://lacountylibrary.org/coronavirus/.
Public Health Contact Tracing: For those households that have a family member who is ill with COVID-19 or is a close contact of a person who is positive with COVID-19, public health specialists will call to collect information to prevent additional transmission and to offer support. If you tested positive for COVID-19, and have not yet received a call from a public health specialist, you can call our toll-free line at (833) 540-0473.
Q. Is the healthcare system ready for this new surge of cases? How can we keep our frontline healthcare workers safe?
A. First, I want to say I am grateful to the frontline healthcare workers who have been caring for our loved ones. They are the heroes in this unprecedented time. Together, we are managing a pandemic the likes of which hasn’t been seen in 100 years, fighting against a new deadly virus unknown to the world even a year ago. Given this new reality, our number one priority as public health officials is to protect the health of our residents, and that includes the healthcare workers on the frontline.
This means we are ensuring the County and its healthcare system have the necessary personal protective equipment and resources in place to meet the demands presented by the pandemic. Since day one of this pandemic I am proud to say that our medical and public health personnel have met the pandemic head-on, fully prepared, implementing strategies to effectively protect the public and the capacity of the healthcare system.
This is ongoing. Our partners in the Department of Health Services continue to monitor and plan for the impact of COVID-19 on our healthcare system. And our hospital system has strategies in place to create additional capacity for COVID-19 patients should surge capacity be needed to meet increased demand.
We will continue to mobilize County resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, coordinate with agencies across the County and State and Federal partners, and raise awareness about how everyone can be prepared for more cases and community spread.
Q. You and your colleagues have been the target of death threats for doing your jobs. Public health officials have been forced to resign in some places. Where do you find the courage to keep going during this crisis?
A. COVID-19 has dramatically changed the world, and it is understandable that people are upset. We mourn every single person that has passed away due to COVID-19. Beyond the human toll, the economic toll has been devastating. We are working tirelessly to slow the spread and find good solutions for the future of our communities.
It is also disheartening that countless numbers of public health officials, across the country – myself included – have been threatened. These attacks on public health officials distract from the data and science. And the science says if we don’t change the way we go about our daily routines, we could pay for it with our lives or the lives of others around us. Change is hard, but we must change if we want to contain this virus.
I know I stand with other public health practitioners who are committed to continuing to do our job during this pandemic, which is to protect and save lives. The virus is still here, and we come to work every day to do our best and implement strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19.
I am also thankful for the many people who stand against this hate and who have supported our work, including those who do so simply by following our advice.
The L.A. Trust and its allies tackle student oral health
Beyond the Bell employees helped The L.A. Trust distribute more than 50,000 toothbrushes during Operation Tooth Fairy in June.
Oral health leaders from government, academia, nonprofits and the healthcare industry met online at The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory Board quarterly convening June 2. Representatives from more than a dozen organizations discussed ways to help students and their families access oral health services during the COVID-19 crisis.
Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, presented an update on how the COVID-19 crisis was impacting dental care for students and communities. She outlined steps The L.A. Trust is taking during the current school closures, including the development of virtual education with upcoming videos, new referral cards for LAUSD local districts, and Operation Tooth Fairy, which raised oral health awareness and distributed more than 50,000 toothbrushes at 16 Grab and Go Food Centers in June.
Gloria E. Velasquez, organization facilitator for Los Angeles Unified’s Student Health and Human Services, outlined steps for re-opening LAUSD campuses under several models released by the Los Angeles County of Education. The models include face-to-face, distance and hybrid learning, depending on health conditions.
Budget cuts and telehealth
COVID-19 has had a major impact on state funding. Fatima Clark, senior policy and outreach associate for Children Now, noted there would be a staggering $54.3 billion budget deficit over the next two years. Among the budget changes: Delayed implementation of the CalAIM initiative; $300 million in cuts to Community Schools Grants; shift of $1.2 billion in Prop. 56 funds to support Medi-Cal; reduction of Adult Dental Benefit; and transitioning all Medi-Cal dental services to the fee-for-delivery system, eliminating voluntary dental managed care in L.A. County.
Dental care providers statewide are getting support from Sacramento as they grapple with COVID-19, according to a presentation by Stephanie Thornton, a fellow with the California Children’s Partnership. California has eased restrictions on telehealth, she noted, but the “digital divide” needs to be closed before these options can be accessed by everyone who needs them.
Ambitious agendas
Lisa Nguyen, associate director, community-based clinical education at the UCLA School of Dentistry, outlined what her institution is doing to advance school-based oral health, including updates on their assessment, education and outreach programs. Nguyen also provided an update on More LA Smiles and discussed the impact of COVID-19.
The meeting ended with a recap of a proposed 2020 policy agenda for The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory Board. The agenda includes achieving 100% compliance with the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Mandate throughout L.A. Unified; ensuring the highest standards of care and case management; integrating teledentistry and alternative practice providers; supporting robust funding for school-based oral health; creating a centralized resource repository; and promoting the use of fluoridated water by Los Angeles Unified families.
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.
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.
Student mental health challenged by COVID, recession and racism
Idle busses and empty classrooms are reminders of the scale of the education and healthcare void caused by the continued coronavirus shutdown.
Student mental health in Los Angeles is facing unprecedented challenges, according to Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health.
“Our students are under tremendous pressure,” she said. “Many were already dealing with inadequate access to mental healthcare and the impacts of poverty and racism. The isolation and economic hardships brought on by COVID-19 threaten to create a student mental health crisis in Los Angeles.
“Students miss the structure of school, their friends and their support system, including access to counseling and mental health treatment,” said Puffer. “Some students may be in stressful situations at home or even the targets of abuse. We must redouble our efforts to help them.”
New initiative
This fall The L.A. Trust will launch its Student Mental Health Initiative. The collaborative is 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 foster student social media campaigns and conduct online trainings such as “First Aid for Mental Health,” scheduled for August.
“Student voices are critical in addressing mental health awareness and to ensure access to services,” said Pia V. Escudero, executive director of Student Health & Human Services for Los Angeles Unified. “We are grateful for this grant opportunity that will lift stigma and access to services for students and families that need it the most.”
Puffer added that “as a backbone agency for student health in Los Angeles, The L.A. Trust has a unique role and responsibility. We are committed to lead on this issue, helping support students, family members, healthcare providers and LAUSD tackle these issues.”
Racism and mental health
Puffer noted that July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month and that racism must be factored into any discussion of student mental health. This is especially relevant in Los Angeles, where four out of every five LAUSD students is Latinx or Black.
A review of literature on the impact of racism on child health found that 11 out of 12 studies showed an association between racism and depression, while three studies showed an association between racism and anxiety. “We can’t ignore the impact of racism on the mental health of our students,” Puffer said. “Our programs, outreach and training must acknowledge the racism that many of our students live with every day.”
Resources available
Puffer saluted LAUSD Student Health and Human Services, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and other public and private organizations for adapting and expanding to serve students and family members during the COVID-19 crisis.
LAUSD Mental Health Hotline (213) 241-3840. Open weekdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is staffed by counselors and mental health professionals who can provide support in English and Spanish. Teachers can also call and get advice on how to connect their students to services. Questions can also be emailed to mentalhealth@lausd.net.
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (800) 854-7771. Open 24/7 for all mental health services.
2-1-1 Hotline. The central source for all health and human services support in Los Angeles County.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline English: (800) 273-8255 Español: (888) 628-9454.
Teen Line Text “TEEN” to 839863 between 6:00pm-9:00pm PT to speak to a teen.
Posted July 15, 2020 at 9:55 a.m.
Watts Healthare COVID RX: Exercise, mindfulness and relaxation
Dr. Oliver Brooks, chief medical officer of Watts Healthcare, recommends a diet of exercise, mindfulness and a bit of fun during the current stay-at-home orders
These are challenging times. We’re wondering when we will go back to school or work, see our friends and be able to get together.
Dr. Oliver Brooks, chief medical officer of Watts Healthcare Corporation, notes that regular physical activity can increase self-esteem and reduce stress, depression and anxiety. People who participate in daily physical activity have an approximate 20 to 30 percent lower risk for depression.
A good fitness goal is low-intensity aerobic exercise for 30-35 minutes, 3 to 5 days per week. If you’re feeling more energetic, you can take this fitness challenge and see how many rounds of these four exercises you can complete in 10 minutes (25 repetitions each): Squats, jumping jacks, high knees and push-ups (if you’re not in shape, take it slow).
Relax…
Brooks recommended controlled breathing exercises, mindfulness, relaxing body exercises and the practice of opposite action to counteract stress.
Watts Healthcare suggested a weekly self-care schedule, including fun activities such as:
Communicating with friends/family on video
Taking a walk/run
Journaling
Stretching
Painting and drawing
Picking up an old hobby or creating a new one
Organizing your room or house
Engaging in deep breathing activities
Eat something healthy and delicious
Drinking something healthy and delicious
Making a new recipe
Trying a new hair style
As Buddha said, “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.”
The impact of racism on children’s health cannot be ignored
The murder of George Floyd has shined a spotlight on racism, which affects every aspect of American life, including the health of children and adolescents. Photo by Gabe Pierce on Unsplash.
The murder of George Floyd has brought the issue of racism to the forefront once again. But racism does not affect just the justice system — it is the major determinant in the healthcare outcomes of children and adolescents.
Last August the American Academy of Pediatrics put out its first policy statement on how racism affects the development and health of adolescents and children. “Policy statements like these are welcome — and long overdue,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health.
According to the AAP, racism has a profound impact on the health and status of children, adolescents, emerging adults and their families. The continued negative impact of racism on health and well-being through implicit and explicit biases, institutional structures and interpersonal relationships is clear.
Racism is a disease
“Those of us who have been doing this work are not surprised by findings like these,” Puffer said. The AAP states that racism, experienced directly or just witnessed, can lead to high levels of stress, depression and even inflammatory reactions. Race is also a factor in low birth weight, maternal mortality, heart disease and hypertension.
“If you saw these symptoms in a clinical setting you would diagnose racism as a chronic illness – one that is passed down from generation to generation,” Puffer said.
In addition to the direct physical effects of racism, there are the health effects of institutional racism and implicit bias built into every aspect of American life, including jobs, housing, policing, incarceration and our education and healthcare systems. All of these factors impact the health outcomes of Black and Brown students and families. Any one of these factors can kill.
COVID-19 is a textbook case. African Americans have the highest death rate for the disease in Los Angeles County: 13 deaths per 100,000 people versus 9.5 for Latinx, 7.5 for Asians and 5.5 for whites. The factors are myriad (poor healthcare, housing and greater co-factors like diabetes, asthma and heart disease), but underlying all these is racism.
Two–front battle
“We need to advance on two fronts,” Puffer said. “We must address structural racism by investing in healthcare and preventative programs in our underserved communities.” Our communities — and the kids who live in them — are not getting the primary, oral and mental healthcare services they need and deserve.
Funding is needed, funding that is threatened by the budget cuts being actively considered in Sacramento and Washington. Community clinics, oral health providers and hospitals have been hit hard by COVID-19. “We must fight for government funding and reject false economies during this economic crisis,” Puffer said.
“We also need to look at racism and bias within our healthcare system itself,” she said. As many institutions have acknowledged, there is a long legacy of inequal treatment of Black, Brown and Indigenous peoples in the healthcare system. People of color, especially African Americans, are less likely to be heard, diagnosed and successfully treated than whites. “We need more Black and Brown healthcare providers. We must eliminate unconscious bias and serve patients in a cultural context. We’re making progress, but not enough.
“The healthcare providers I see working in our underserved communities are doing heroic work,” Puffer said. “They know their patients and they know their communities. But there are not enough of them and they do not have the resources they need,” Puffer said. “We must expand, not cut, healthcare in our communities.
“We must seize this moment and redirect our priorities to invest in the healthcare of our students and communities,” she added. “We can’t end racism overnight, but we can start dismantling healthcare disparities piece by piece, patient by patient. We must ensure the current revolution leads us to a long-term evolution of our healthcare system.”
The L.A. Trust and L.A. Unified put focus on student oral health
Program Manager Esther Yepez, Executive Director Maryjane Puffer and Associate Program Director Stella Kim distributed hundreds of free toothbrushes at Los Angeles Unified’s Grab & Go Food Center at Manual Arts Senior High School June 9.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health has joined forces with America’s Tooth Fairy, the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Unified School District to raise oral health awareness and distribute more than 50,000 toothbrushes at Los Angeles Unified Grab & Go Food Centers.
“Healthy children are ready to learn, and The L.A. Trust has worked with us for years to promote the health and wellbeing of our students,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “Children may find it difficult to visit a dentist, so making sure kids practice good oral health habits like brushing their teeth is more important now than ever.”
L.A. Tooth Fairy Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The L.A. Trust, thanked Los Angeles Unified and sponsors of Operation Tooth Fairy, including America’s Tooth Fairy and USC. “We even got an anonymous donation of 1,500 wrapped toothbrushes – every little bit helps.”
Puffer noted that “children with poor oral health are nearly three times more likely to miss school and perform poorly.” Past screenings of 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.
Since 2013, The L.A. Trust has worked to improve student oral health by coordinating free Kindergarten Oral Health Assessments in Los Angeles Unified schools.
Puffer said replacing toothbrushes frequently and not sharing brushes is especially important during this pandemic. Children should floss daily and brush twice a day. They should also keep wearing their braces and dental appliances.
“Many dentists and dental clinics are re-opening, and you should always see a dentist if it’s an emergency,” Puffer said. This includes oral pain, infection, trauma or damage. Many Student Health and Wellness Centers are open for restorative care, and you can also ask if your dentist offers tele-dentistry to get a remote assessment.
Thanks from Board
School Board members thanked The L.A. Trust for supporting students while school facilities are closed.
“I am grateful to The L.A. Trust for helping us fulfill our commitment to support the whole child,” Board Vice President Jackie Goldberg said.
“I salute The L.A. Trust and their continued commitment to promoting and educating our children on the importance of oral health,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said.
“Thanks to The L.A. Trust, America’s Tooth Fairy and the University of Southern California for your partnership and support for our students and families,” Board Member Mónica García said. “The health of our students is a strong indicator of their ability to achieve academically. I am grateful for all those involved in the effort to bridge the gap between education and health.”
“As a retired teacher and principal, I know that our children’s health and wellbeing are critical for effective teaching and learning,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many parents have lost jobs and cannot afford to buy the necessary supplies or pay for dental treatments. Now more than ever, we must continue to provide needed support so our students can remain healthy. I thank The L.A. Trust and our community partners for their generous contributions and continued support.”
“We are grateful to The L.A. Trust and all the partners working to mitigate the unfortunate side effects of our current public health crisis and the existing crises that our kids face every day by not having adequate access to basic health care,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “That’s why I brought, and the Board passed, a resolution earlier this year to make it easier for partners like The L.A. Trust to provide these basic health services to our students, and why it’s so important that we uphold this commitment to meet the needs of our kids and families.”
“Along with our partner, The L.A. Trust, we are dedicated to promoting our students’ health,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “This latest distribution of toothbrushes at our Grab & Go Food Centers will support student wellbeing and allow them to focus on their learning.”
Puffer thanked the School Board, Los Angeles Unified and Operation Tooth Fairy partners, and urged other organizations and individual to join the effort. She said Operation Tooth Fairy is seeking donations of wrapped children’s and adult toothbrushes plus items like toothpaste and dental floss. “These may seem like small things,” she said, “but they can make a big difference in the oral health of a child or adolescent in this quarantine and recession.”
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
CalFresh and The L.A. Trust help families keep it fresh during shutdown
The L.A. Trust has expanded its nutrition education to include Facebook Live workshops and healthy online cooking videos.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health has moved its CalFresh student and community outreach programs online and to the field to help families eat healthy during the coronavirus shutdown.
The L.A. Trust Nutrition team is holding weekly one-hour workshops on Facebook Live hosted by Program Manager Esther Yepez and Health Educator Lillian Orta:
English-language workshops Every Thursday at 3 p.m. until July 2
Spanish-language workshops Every Friday at 12 p.m. until July 3
The workshops feature information on healthy food options, pantry cooking and smart shopping. “We know that it can be hard to shop fresh right now,” Yepez said. “We want to demonstrate how to maintain or even improve nutritious eating during this shutdown period.” The L.A. Trust has conducted 12 nutrition workshops and hosted one informational workshop reaching 5,253 people on Facebook so far.
The Spanish-language informational workshop featured guest speaker Betzabel Estudillo of the California Food Policy Advocates and discussed expanded EBT benefits and other COVID-19 resources.
The L.A. Trust has also posted fresh and healthy cooking videos on Vimeo to help families eat fresh and stretch their food dollars, with more coming soon:
French Toast Sticks with Berry Syrup (English and Spanish)
Brussels Sprout Hash & Eggs (English and Spanish)
Mango Chicken Stirfry (English and Spanish)
The L.A. Trust has distributed free grocery bags, gloves, and 900 recipe cards to the Fremont Free Food Fair, a food distribution site The L.A. Trust has supported to address food insecurity over the past several years. The Fremont Free Food Fair is organized by the UMMA Community clinic, Community Health Councils and Food Forward.
Working with CalFresh
Through CalFresh Healthy Living, The L.A. Trust has also purchased more than 2,800 cookbooks to be given away at four food distribution sites: Peace Chapel Church; Macedonia Church in Watts; Community Health Councils; and Girls Club of Los Angeles. These cookbooks will be given away in food bags distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The L.A. Trust is proud to partner with CalFresh Healthy Living to help our students and families eat well and get access to healthy foods,” Program Manager Nina Nguyen said. “There is tremendous interest in healthy eating in our communities, and we are excited to keep this outreach going virtually during the current coronavirus closures.”
CalFresh Healthy Living is the largest nutrition education program in the United States. More than one-third of California residents are eligible for CalFresh Healthy Living, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed), which strives to improve the health of eligible Californians through education and healthy community changes. CalFresh Healthy Living offers critical resources for Californians to lead healthier lives and provides opportunities to enjoy more fresh produce.
Wellness Centers discuss COVID challenges at virtual collaborative
Pia V. Escudero of LAUSD Student Health and Human Services addressed more than 100 participants at The L.A. Trust’s online Learning Collaborative.
Wellness Centers online meeting (recording)
Representatives from the Los Angeles student health community met online Thursday, May 7, 2020 at The L.A. Trust’s Wellness Center Learning Collaborative to discuss how to serve students and their families during the COVID-19 health emergency. More than 100 clinicians, educators and healthcare advocates attended.
The coronavirus is impacting patients — and the clinics that serve them. Nine of the sixteen on-campus Wellness Centers have suspended operations (see list). Fewer students and community members are visiting clinics, putting their long-term health at risk. It also threatens the financial health of some clinics that have been serving high-need communities for years.
Dr. Yohanna Barth-Rogers, chief medical officer of the UMMA Wellness Center at John C. Fremont High School in South Los Angeles, told the Learning Collaborative that her clinics were moving the majority of patient visits to video conferences and phone calls.
In-person visits must be approved in advance and be deemed medically essential. Two of the needs deemed essential are vaccinations and contraception.
One challenge is finding safe spaces to have sensitive conversations with students, she said. “My worry is that we’re missing things, such as violence in the home.” She said the clinic was developing ways to have confidential conversations with students during the coronavirus shut-down.
Reaching out
In addition to telehealth, clinic operators have been staying in touch with patients through community networks and social media. “Asian Pacific Healthcare Venture Inc., serving Belmont and John Marshall High Schools, cares about you,” they said in an email to The L.A. Trust. “If you have any health concerns, call us. We’ll make a telephone appointment to talk to a provider or get your medication refilled. We are also open for confidential services. Stay safe!”
North Hills Wellness Center at James Monroe High School issued a “stay at home challenge” for students: “Eat an apple instead of chips. Get outdoors (with your mask on!). Follow a workout routine on FaceTime or YouTube. Learn a TikTok dance. Be creative and remember that social distancing and face coverings save lives!”
Dr. Rosina Franco and Student Medical Services reported that while the Hollywood High Wellness Center was closed for safety reasons, “we are currently working on a re-entry plan for when schools, and our clinic, will re-open. In the meantime, please log on to the LAUSD SHHS webpage.”
Data xChange points way to better healthcare solutions
Dr. Ron Tanimura said The L.A. Trust’s Data xChange would drive new healthcare strategies to better serve students and communities.
Technologies like telehealth and initiatives like The L.A. Trust Data xChange are key to better student health outcomes, according to speakers at the online Wellness Network Learning Collaborative on May 7, 2020. Dr. Ron Tanimura, director of student health services at LAUSD, and Sang Leng Trieu, wellness program manager for The L.A. Trust, gave an update on The L.A. Trust Data xChange, which compiles and compares detailed Wellness Center patient data. They spoke to more than 100 representatives from LAUSD and the District’s Wellness Centers.
Pia V. Escudero, executive director of LAUSD Student Health and Human Services and a member of the executive committee of The L.A. Trust, noted that the clinic network was founded almost 15 years ago “to reduce health disparities impacting the lifespans of our children in families.” She said “there’s still a lot of work to do,” and insights like the Data xChange are key to finding effective solutions.
“The data is so wonderful,” Escudero said. “It gives us a good baseline to start having future conversations and doing some hypothesis working and strategic planning in this transformational time that we’re living in.”
Tanimura said data was critical. “We have to look at every one of our divisions and departments and integrate and (utilize) some of the resources we have outside, mainly The L.A. Trust. I thank you for the work you are doing, especially on Data xChange.”
He added, “The more data we get the better. When we look at the Data xChange, this is a thousand times better than just encounter data. We look forward to integrating all the data – dental, mental health, attendance and other academic data. Imagine what we will be able to do for our kids and their communities.”
Current reports include such measures as unique patient visits, type of patient encounters, co-morbid conditions, demographics and student vs. community visits. The database also tracks services provided and benchmarks on key performance standards, including risk assessments, well-child exams, BMI screening, chlamydia tests and depression screening.
The L.A. Trust distributed report cards with clinical metrics to each clinic in February and will add new datasets on mental and oral health later this year, expanding the database insights.
Eight major grants will power The L.A. Trust’s mission
New grants will fuel objectives of The L.A. Trust, including youth engagement. Participants in this year’s Youth to Youth Summit shown above.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health is pleased to announce a series of grants that will help the organization meet its mission in the coming month and years. “During this global health crisis, the world needs these givers more than ever,” said Anna Baum, director of development and communications for The L.A. Trust. “We’re grateful they have placed their trust in us.”
Baum reported:
The Weingart Foundation is supporting our mission with a $125,000 unrestricted operating support grant which we plan to use to support organizational planning and staff development as well as the Data xChange. We’re very pleased to partner with this foundation for the first time, which has helped nonprofits reach underserved communities for over 50 years.
We’re very happy to announce another first-time partnership, with UniHealth Foundation to further work on our groundbreaking Data xChange. UniHealth has been supporting nonprofit, community-based hospitals and health organizations for over 20 years. This two-year, $200,000 grant will allow us to continue integrating Wellness Network health services data with LAUSD academic data.
Two major forces in the Los Angeles area healthcare arena have stepped up to provide relief to teens through a new initiative to be deployed next school year: The L.A. Trust’s School-Based Mental Health Education & Awareness Program. Health Net committed $50,000 and Cedars-Sinai $100,000 to this program, which is in the planning phase. By building capacity among students as peer leaders through our Student Advisory Boards, the program seeks to increase awareness of symptoms like anxiety and depression, and to increase positive coping mechanisms as well as self-referrals to care. The mental health crisis among our underserved youth can only be addressed through the prescience and generosity of funders like Cedars-Sinai and Health Net.
The Annenberg Foundation has made an unrestricted operating support grant to further our mission to improve student health and increase readiness to learn. We’re very pleased to be partnering with Annenberg, which has demonstrated its commitment to education and well-being for over 30 years.
Last fall The Ahmanson Foundation awarded us a grant for furnishings and computers at Roybal Learning Center where over half the staff is located. This has already proved extremely helpful as we transition to remote work plans, and will be even more so when we reconvene on campus.
Two recent grants have buoyed our activities: Insperity, our human resources services company, awarded a grant to support our Student Advisory Boards. The California Credit Union awarded a grant that will helps us upgrade and maintain key technical platforms like QuickBooks. These timely grants will support our student outreach during the current LAUSD closures, as well as into the coming school year.
In addition to awarding these generous grants, all the funders acknowledged here have announced flexibility in regard to dates and fund restrictions in light of the COVID-19 environment. We applaud the efforts of our funders and express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who make these grants possible, Baum said.
Mission Report from The L.A. Trust shows a year of progress
The L.A. Trust’s Mission Report sounds a hopeful note during a time of crisis.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health has released its first-ever Mission Report capturing a year of accomplishments and looking forward to “healthier days ahead.”
Executive Director Maryjane Puffer and Board President William Grice of Kaiser Permanente, observed that “the COVID-19 health crisis and economic downturn have been a dramatic reminder of how much depends on our education and healthcare systems.”
More than four in five Los Angeles Unified students live in poverty, the report notes, and there are wide disparities in healthcare access. “The COVID-19 crisis is severely worsening these dual hardships and students need our help more than ever.”
The report outlines how The L.A. Trust, working with its funders and allies, is bridging the worlds of health and education to achieve student wellness.
In last fiscal year 2018-2019, The L.A. Trust:
Launched The L.A. Trust Data xChange, which links confidential health and academic data to determine how student health affects student performance.
Partnered with the University of California San Francisco to launch a bilingual contraception awareness app for Latina teens.
Supported the growing network of Student and Family Wellness Centers on LAUSD campuses, with best practices, research and Learning Collaborative convenings.
Facilitated screenings for more than 1,700 kindergartners and third-graders at dozens of LAUSD elementary schools and provided oral health education throughout the district.
Worked with Student Advisory Board members and their Adult Allies at Wellness Center schools on issues like STD prevention, HPV vaccination and substance use.
Advocated for fresh foods and good nutrition, teaching more than 100 student and community nutrition courses, appearing at events like the Fremont Free Food Fair and promoting the benefits of drinking water.
Worked with community partners and student advocates to fight vaping, tobacco and substance use among LAUSD students.
“None of this would have been possible without the help of partners and allies,” said Anna Baum, director of development and communication. “We’re very grateful for their support, especially in times like these.”
Puffer gave special thanks to The L.A. Trust Board of Directors “who work selflessly so every L.A. student can have equal access to healthcare and an equal shot at success.”
COVID-19 worsens L.A.’s food crisis: How to get help (or help others)
Los Angeles County residents get groceries through the Emergency Food Assistance Program, at the East Los Angeles Service Center. Photo courtesy Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County is mobilizing a Countywide response to hunger by coordinating public agencies, nonprofits and volunteers to provide meals to anyone in need during the current pandemic-related food crisis. An estimated 2 million people in Los Angeles County already face food-insecurity issues — and this number is sure to swell as pandemic-related economic losses take their toll.
The County is also launching new digital resources to help members of the public access food at no cost — including program sign-up information, maps, and frequently asked questions — all located on the County COVID-19 website.
Individuals and families in need:
Get help with food expenses. CalFresh is a Nutrition Assistance Program that can help people in low-income households purchase food by increasing their food-buying power. Apply here and see eligibility requirements here.
Find free food near you. County agencies and partners that provide free groceries and meals are expanding their services during COVID-19. Click here to see options and find food distribution sites near you. Some programs also provide delivery. Get food delivery assistance. The County has launched a Critical Delivery Services program to deliver food and other vital items to adults aged 60+ and individuals with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes due to COVID-19. Items must be prepaid and ready for pick-up. There is no cost to the client for delivery. For more information, click here or call 1-888-863-7411.
For assistance, or if you do not have access to the Internet, please dial 2-1-1. Multilingual operators are available to help members of the public find free food resources.
Service providers and nonprofits in need
Request volunteers. L.A. Works matches community organizations with volunteer labor and other resources. More information here.
Request food to redistribute. The L.A. Regional Food Bank is accepting new applications for partner agencies. Partner agencies receive free food and re-distribute it to community members. More information here.
Join a food recovery network. There are a number of organizations that use mobile apps with matching technology to recover unused food from restaurants and other businesses and re-distribute it to communities in need. If you are interested in donating food or receiving donated food to re-distribute, look for the following in your mobile app store: Food Finders and ChowMatch
How you can help
Giving food-related offers and donations. Does your business or organization seek to sell or donate food-related resources to support COVID-19 response efforts? The County is helping to match available food resources with those in need. Fill out an online questionnaire to let us know what food resources you have to share. Our partner providers are in need of food resources, services, and equipment including:
Prepared meals ready-to-eat meals: no heating required
Prepared meals: just heat and serve
Groceries: non-perishable, shelf-stable food items and perishable food such as produce, meats, and dairy
Specialty foods: Vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and other specialty options
Food delivery: drivers and vehicles, including special vehicle types such as refrigerated trucks
Other types of donation and support. Looking for other ways to lend a hand during this crisis? Explore the County’s COVID-19 resource page to learn how you can help, from doing wellness checks on older neighbors to donating blood.
Starting a food pantry. Interested in offering free food to community members? If you already have food to re-distribute or are planning to collect food items from private sources, please follow these Guidelines for Charitable Feeding Operations. If you are interested in receiving donated food to re-distribute, consider partnering with the L.A. Regional Food Bank, which is currently accepting new applications for partner pantries. More information here.
Volunteer your time. L.A. Works matches community organizations with volunteer labor and other resources. More information here.
What The L.A. Trust’s Y2Y Conference meant to me
More than 100 Los Angeles student health advocates and their adult allies attended The L.A. Trust’s Youth to Youth Conference.
The L.A. Trust Y2Y Conference was developed by students, for students, and included youth-led workshops on STD prevention, stress, healthy eating and active living. Here’s one student’s account of how this event, for students by students, impacted her.
By Ashley Diaz
Manual Arts High School
Going to The L.A. Trust Y2Y Conference was definitely eye opening for someone like me who was going through a time when I was trying to discover myself. The stories that were shared really touched a place in my heart, telling me that there shouldn’t be such a thing as giving up.
This one presentation by a group of kids talking about teenage stress helped me discover symptoms of stress that I didn’t know I lived with. When I was hanging out with my partner Taaliyah, I was happy I got the chance to know her better, and we now consider each other friends.
Things like that Y2Y Conference really help bring people together no matter their purpose being there. As a presenter, the only thing that worried me was the possible lack of engagement from the audience. But at the end I was satisfied with the amount of responses I got. I really like to try and give a neutral vibe when talking to audiences to make them feel comfortable, that’s why I usually like to use my humor as a comforting tool.
I believe the honesty is what gets the audience’s attention, and it’s a way to help scare them away from the dangerous things we want them to avoid in life.
As for me, the Conference will always be something to be thankful for, and presenting to bigger crowds will definitely help me improve my skills as a presenter. Also, the vibes and positive energy I felt from the staff was very comforting as well as the help that came from everyone, such as the caterers, the presenters, and the teachers. They really help make a difference in the world and they make people like me want to follow in their footsteps.
California offers financial and health aid during COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 outbreak has hit L.A.’s most vulnerable families, including low-income single-earner households with school-age children.
The L.A. Trust participated in a statewide interagency conference call with California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and other officials outlining state services available to assist families during the COVID-19 event.
Among the highlights:
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file for unemployment insurance. If you are expecting to return to your job after the dust settles, you do not have to be actively seeking new work during the outbreak. But you must be “able and available to work” to get these benefits, which generally range from $40 to $450 per week for up to six months.
If you are sick or have been exposed
Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance claim. Disability Insurance provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 to $1,300 a week.
If you are caring for someone sick
Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave claim. Paid Family Leave provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60 to 70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
Health resources
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has published additional and updated guidance for providers, beneficiaries and the public related to COVID-19:
Fee-For-Service Prior Authorization – Section 1135 Waiver Flexibilities
Fee-For-Service Pharmacy – Section 1135 Waiver Flexibilities
Provision of Care in Alternative Settings, Hospital Capacity, and Blanket 1135 Waiver Flexibilities
FFS and Managed Care Telehealth and Virtual Communication Guidance
APL 20-004 Emergency Guidance for Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans
Guidance Relating to Non-Urgent, Non-Essential or Elective Procedures
Guidance for Family PACT Providers, including Telephonic Client Enrollment and Re-certification
Additional updates will be posted to the DHCS COVID-19 resource page.
This story was updated March 28, 2020 at 10:44 am.
The L.A. Trust OHAB meeting opens with good news on dental screenings
Dr. Maritza Cabezas, dental director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, discussed “dental deserts” at The L.A. Trust’s oral health convene.
Representatives from private and public oral health organizations discussed the state of children’s oral health at The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory Board Meeting, March 11, 2020 in at the California Community Foundation in downtown Los Angeles.
The meeting was convened by Associate Program Director Stella Kim, The L.A. Trust’s oral health lead. She introduced Executive Director Maryjane Puffer, who opened the meeting with good news: The Los Angeles Unified School Board approved a resolution the day before expanding dental and vision screenings for K-12 students. The resolution permits no-cost dental health screenings for every LAUSD student whose parents do not opt out, and requires a plan to be developed for the 2020-21 school year. Previously, prior parental approval was required for the non-invasive assessments.
The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory Board is a prime convener in the Los Angeles Country’s dental care community for school-based oral health. Its quarterly OHAB meetings attract dozens of participants from the public and private sectors. Puffer provided an update on The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Initiative, including The L.A. Trust Tooth Fairy Event, which provided free dental screenings for 205 students and community members and attracted a record number of attendees February 22.
She announced The L.A. Trust is working with UCLA’s More LA Smiles on a Local District Pilot Project funded by the California
Dental Transformation Initiative (DTI). The pilot project will expand The L.A Trust’s Oral Health Initiative to 85 schools in LAUSD Local District South. The L.A. Trust will also participate in a 2020 Universal Kindergarten Screening pilot program with 141 potential school sites this year.
California gets C-minus
Fatima Clark of Children Now gave a statewide update on children’s oral health from the 2020 California Children’s Report Card. The report card gave the state’s oral health policies and resources a C-minus.
“Too few children enrolled in Medi-Cal receive preventative services,” Clark said. Nearly 4 in 10 California kindergartners (39%) did not complete oral health assessments due to financial burden or lack of funds; of those who did, 20% had untreated dental decay. But the report was cautiously optimistic about the improvements in student oral health, stating that “recent efforts to improve utilization look promising.”
Read more on the California Dental Association website
Dr. Maritza Cabezas, dental director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, outlined a recent survey of “dental deserts” in the county. Dental deserts were mapped using three criteria: high population density; low income (Medi-Cal income cut-off); and one dental provider or less for every 4,000 patients.
The map identified numerous high-need, low-resource areas, many along the CA-110 corridor in Central and South Los Angeles. The survey identified 15 publicly funded medical clinics where dental services could be added and six dental clinics where oral healthcare could be expanded.
The morning session ended with a briefing from the UCLA-led More LA Smiles Consortium on a new pilot program designed to help Medi-Cal beneficiaries age 0 to 20. Associate Director Bonnie Shook and Technical Product Manager Joshua Norton introduced the LA Dental Registry and Referral System (LADRRS), which will allow medical and dental providers to “close the referral loop” and help thousands of patients get the oral healthcare they need. The presentations were followed by a working lunch and four breakout discussions on top systems change drivers: policy, financing, care and community.