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Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in student health, education, and our organization's updates and events.
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.
Data xChange report shows growth of Wellness Centers
The L.A. Trust Data xChange has issued a new report showing the impact of L.A. Unified’s Wellness Centers since 2015.
The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health has released a new Data xChange report demonstrating the widespread impact of L.A. Unified’s 16 full-service Wellness Centers on students, families and community members in the District’s highest-need areas.
According to the Data xChange report, 11 school-based Wellness Centers reported more than 229,000 visits from 86,000 patients in the past five years. Visits grew 143% in the past half decade and patients averaged 2.7 visits per year, demonstrating “a strong bond between clinics and patients.”
The statistics in the Wellness Center 5-Year Impact Report were produced by The L.A. Trust’s Data xChange, which is designed to measure the impact of Wellness Center investments, improve the allocation of health resources and connect the dots between student health and academic achievement.
Vital services
Quality healthcare is essential to student success, the report noted. The L.A. Trust supports these clinics by offering best practices, prevention education programs, learning collaboratives and other vital infrastructure. In addition, it has independently raised more than $1.5 million to create the Data xChange, which The L.A. Trust views as key to the future of school-based health in Los Angeles and throughout the nation.
Common student services include Well Child Exams, contraceptive management, weight and obesity management, immunization and vaccines, sexually transmitted infection testing and management, and mental health and substance use services.
Because students are only as healthy as the communities they live in, Wellness Centers treat family and community members, too. Community members are more likely to be treated for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
There are currently 16 LAUSD Wellness Center clinics with two more on the way. They bring high-quality medical services into traditionally underserved communities, provide culturally competent care and reduce transportation burdens by putting the clinics on school campuses. (Most of the clinics have a street-facing door to admit community members and a school-facing door to admit students.)
COVID-19 response
The coronavirus pandemic has hit Los Angeles hard, especially predominantly Black and Latinx communities served by the Wellness Centers, the report stated. Six Wellness Centers have remained open during the height of the school lockdown and received more than 12,000 visits between March and June of this year.
“As many of our Wellness Centers pivot toward telehealth and incorporate more specific coding practices related to COVID-19, The L.A. Trust Data xChange will stay in step with them by working to create new reports and insights,” the impact report affirmed.
The Data xChange is guided by an Expert Advisory Council that includes: Manal Aboelata, The Prevention Institute; Mayra Alvarez, The Children’s Health Partnership; Grace Kim Crofton, L.A. Care Health Plan; Rebecca Dudovitz, UCLA; Pia Escudero, LAUSD Student Health and Human Services; Mehrnaz Davoudi, Kaiser Permanente; Art Garcia, First 5 Los Angeles; Will Grice, Kaiser Permanente and board president of The L.A. Trust; Lyndee Knox, PatientToc; Hayley Love; James Kyle, L.A. Care Health Plan; Anitha Mullangi, St. John’s Well Child and Family Health Center; Kevon Tucker-Seeley, LAUSD Office of Data and Accountability; Mollie Rudnick, LAUSD Chief Strategy Office; Nina Vaccaro, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County; Ron Tanimura, LAUSD Student Medical Services; Kimberly Uyeda; and Lynn Yonekura, L.A. Best Babies Network
COVID testing key to L.A. Unified’s return-to-school strategy
L.A. Unified return-to-school plan encompasses testing and tracing for nearly 800,000 students and employees.
The Los Angeles Unified School District has begun an unprecedented coronavirus testing program, part of its developing return-to-school plan for nearly 800,000 students and employees
Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said, “Health practices are in place. Classrooms and facilities have been electrostatically cleaned top to bottom, air-conditioning systems have been upgraded with the equivalent of N-95 filters, personal protective equipment is provided to all individuals on campus, and classrooms and facilities have been reconfigured to keep all at a school a safer distance apart.
“When students do return to schools, they’ll be kept in small cohorts to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. And as we learn of other ways to enhance health practices, we’ll incorporate them as quickly as possible.”
‘Taking the lead’
“Once again, LAUSD is taking the lead nationwide in protecting our students, teachers, staff and community members,” said Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. “It is essential that we open our schools as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Beutner added, “While unprecedented, the virus testing, community engagement and contact-tracing program is necessary and appropriate as we must do everything we can to protect the health and safety of all in the school community.”
Among those collaborating on the program are UCLA, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Microsoft, Anthem Blue Cross, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Health Net.
School-based health conference focuses on multiple threats
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond addressed nearly 1,000 registered guests at this year’s CSHA statewide School-Based Health Conference.
Nearly 1,000 student health advocates addressed the multiple pandemics facing California’s kids, teens and communities at “School Health on the Frontlines: Navigating Pandemics & Building Equity,” the California School-Based Health Alliance’s first-ever virtual School-Based Health Conference October 6-8.
Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health and board vice president of CSHA, opened the conference by stating, “School-based health centers have always been on the frontlines of healthcare by serving students and communities with the most challenges and least access to our healthcare. This year has been a real test of that system.”
She pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which “has brought families to the brink,” and to “the unending racial injustices faced by Black, Indigenous and People of Color.” She said, “Our youth are resilient, but they are under incredible strain.”
She noted that not one of the state’s one thousand local education entities has the recommended number of mental health professionals and only 4% of California school children have access to school–based health centers.
“The ultimate equity issue”
Dr. Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction said, “These are some of the toughest challenges we’ll see in our lifetimes.” He called “healthcare the ultimate equity issue” and said school-based health was “a top priority.”
The opening keynote speaker was Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga, executive director of The Education Trust–West, a research and advocacy organization focused on educational justice and supporting the high achievement of all California students. She said, “I want my son to say in the face of this epidemic that we stood by him. We must do much better, much faster. We must be co-conspirators for justice.”
The closing keynote was given by Dr. Tichianaa Armah, medical director of Behavioral Health at the Community Health Center Inc., one of Connecticut’s top school-based health center providers, and assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Armah outlined the impact of racism on the health and mental health of BIPOC students and communities. She shared compelling evidence of how stress of racial injustice has real health consequences, from stress and negative emotions to low-grade inflammation and chronic disease.
The CSHA Convention included three days of sessions on topics ranging from sexual and reproductive health to school mental health. The L.A. Trust’s Program Manager Robert Renteria headed a panel on “Implementing SBIRT in SBHCs” and three staff members from The L.A. Trust served as room hosts. Sixty attendees registered for the conference as guests of The L.A. Trust.
Q&A with Jim Mangia: “South L.A. has been hit hard by COVID”
Jim Mangia is president and CEO of St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, operator of Wellness Centers at Lincoln, Manual Arts and Washington Prep, all of which have remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 from Maryjane Puffer: COVID-19 has been especially devastating to communities served by the Wellness Network. Can you describe the impact of COVID-19 on the communities you serve?
Answer from Jim Mangia: The South Los Angeles community has been hit hard by the COVID pandemic in so many ways. We have the highest rates of COVID cases in the county. Some days over the summer, 30% of the people who came in to be tested were infected with COVID. Frontline workers, essential workers, factory workers were called back to work in June and July, were not given masks and protective gear and got infected at work. They brought it home to their families. And then the employers wouldn’t let them back to work until they showed a negative test result, which could take months. In addition to being sick, or seeing loved ones die, people lost their homes, their jobs. It was devastating.
Q. How has COVID and the school and economic shutdown impacted your three Wellness Centers? Are you still seeing a lot of students or are you seeing greater numbers of community members?
A. People still need healthcare. And since we’re offering free COVID testing for students and their families, our Wellness Centers have been extremely busy. We erected sterilized isolation tents at all of our sites to reduce the possibility of infection during the COVID test. We’ve had no cross-infection at any of our clinic sites or Wellness Centers because of the rigorous protocols we put into place. But we’re seeing more patients than we were before the pandemic hit, because in addition to people needing their diabetes medicine or their hypertensive care, tens of thousands of people depended on St. John’s for their COVID testing.
Q. What services are you offering to students and community members? Have you noted a change?
A. We’re continuing to offer the full range of medical, dental and behavioral health services to students, their families and the community at large, in addition to COVID testing, triage and follow-up care. We have added telehealth services so we can better triage patients with symptoms. If a patient tests positive for COVID, our doctors can call them every day and monitor their symptoms. If their symptoms start to worsen, we can get them into a hospital immediately. We know that once symptoms occur, the sooner you get to a hospital, the better chance you have for survival. We’ve saved hundreds of lives through the telehealth monitoring we’ve been doing, in addition to the testing and regular primary care services that have continued.
Q. Are people foregoing treatment they should otherwise be getting?
A. Initially yes. About one-third of our patients were foregoing treatment and cancelling appointments. We were able to provide telehealth to them and have medicine delivered to their homes, which allowed our doctors to stay on top of their health status and health conditions. Our screening protocols are so rigorous, and the fact that we have two isolation tents at every site also made patients feel more secure coming in for their visits. Now our cancellation rate is under 5%, so patients are feeling safe and keeping their visits. We take every patient’s temperature before they enter the clinic and ask a set of screening questions. If they answer yes to any questions or have fever, they are sent to the isolation tent for their visit, where we also administer a COVID test.
Q. How has student and community mental health been impacted by COVID? What can be done about it?
A. We’re seeing a significant increase in depression and anxiety disorders as a result of the pandemic. It’s most acute with patients who have lost a loved one to COVID, but there is widespread stress, anxiety and depression as a result of the pandemic. Many residents have lost their jobs. Many have lost loved ones. Many have been sick. The pandemic is having a direct and significant impact on the mental health of the South Los Angeles community.
Q. What is the most important thing students and community members should know about your services right now?
A. That we are open to serve them and can provide whatever health services they need — medical, dental, behavioral health, in addition to COVID testing and triage. We are also participating in a clinical trial with UCLA to provide a very effective and free COVID treatment to patients who have symptoms and are infected.
Student advocates prepare at The L.A. Trust Academy
Student advocates, shown here at The L.A. Trust’s Y2Y Conference in March, discussed how to conduct peer campaigns in the new school year on August 4-7.
Two dozen Student Advisory Board members from five Los Angeles high schools met with staff members of The L.A. Trust for its first-ever Summer Academy learning session August 4-7, 2020.
The students learned how to conduct peer-to-peer health campaigns, discussed ways to encourage visits to L.A. Unified Wellness Centers, and gained greater knowledge of healthcare disparities. The four-day pilot event was attended by SAB members from Crenshaw, Jordan, Locke and Washington Prep, as well as students from John Marshall High School.
The online Academy was facilitated by four staff members from The L.A. Trust: Robert Renteria, program manager; Eddie Hu, program manager; Mackenzie Scott, student engagement program coordinator; and Dannielle Griffin, student engagement program assistant.
Organizational facilitators from L.A. Unified Student Health and Human Services helping to inform and guide the students included Gloria E. Velasquez, Victor Luna, Rene Bell-Harbour and Maggie Yu-DiPasquale.
Impressed
Renteria said he was impressed by the students’ commitment to the 20-hour learning program. Scott said the students were knowledgeable (“they could have presented my learning modules”) and engaged (“the chat was blowing up like crazy.”)
Students discussed mental health, sexual and reproductive health, substance use prevention, public health, and their own career development. Wellness Center staff logged on to brief the students on updated hours and services and how to refer peers to the clinics.
Students took a break from their learning to share their insights with The L.A. Trust Board of Directors at their annual retreat, August 6. Maryjane Puffer and Board members thanked the students for their frank accounts of how the pandemic is affecting them and their communities.
The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards have met since August 18, the first week of L.A. Unified’s 2020-2021 school year. Renteria said, “Thanks to the Summer Academy, we have students ready to conduct campaigns about student and community health and to help increase awareness and use of the primary, mental and oral healthcare services offered by L.A. Unified’s student and family Wellness Centers.”
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.
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)
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.