5 Strategies for empowering teens to prevent dating violence

Teen dating violence is a pervasive and complex problem that affects millions of young people. But with the right education and prevention efforts, we can empower teens to recognize the warning signs of abusive relationships and seek help when they need it. In this post, we'll explore five strategies for preventing teen dating violence and empowering young people to build healthy, positive relationships.

1.       Provide Education and Resources for Healthy Relationships: Young people need access to information and resources that can help them establish healthy relationships. This includes education on healthy communication, consent, and boundaries, as well as information about where to turn if they experience or witness abuse. By providing this information, we can help young people build the skills and confidence they need to recognize and avoid unhealthy relationships.

2.       Create Safe and Supportive Environments: Creating safe and open environments is crucial for preventing teen dating violence. Educators, parents, and caregivers should focus on creating spaces where teens feel comfortable discussing their experiences and concerns, and where they can receive support and guidance when needed. By creating these safe spaces, we can help young people feel empowered to speak up and seek help when they need it.

3.       Teach Bystander Intervention: Bystander intervention is a key strategy for preventing teen dating violence. By teaching young people how to recognize and respond to abusive behavior, we can create a culture of respect and accountability that empowers everyone to take responsibility for their own actions and help others. Whether in person or online, bystander intervention can help prevent abusive behavior from escalating and support those who may be in danger.

4.       Address Emotional Abuse: While physical abuse is often the focus of discussions around teen dating violence, emotional abuse is also a serious problem. Educators, parents, and caregivers should focus on helping young people understand the warning signs of emotional abuse and how to seek help if they are experiencing it. By addressing emotional abuse, we can help young people build healthy relationships based on mutual respect and support.

5.       Prioritize Prevention and Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges for young people, including increased isolation and stress. It's more important than ever to prioritize prevention and education efforts to help young people build the skills and confidence they need to navigate these challenges and build healthy relationships that support their emotional and mental well-being.

Preventing teen dating violence requires a comprehensive approach that involves education, prevention, and intervention efforts from parents, educators, and community organizations. By working together and implementing these strategies, we can empower young people to recognize and respond to abusive behavior, establish healthy relationships, and build the kind of lives they deserve.

The crucial role School-Based Health Centers play in underserved communities

School-based health care gives children an invaluable resource for their physical and emotional well-being.

February is National School-Based Health Center Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to recognize the crucial role that school-based health centers (SBHCs) play. For many children and adolescents, SBHCs are a critical resource. These centers provide comprehensive health services to underserved communities, thus eliminating barriers to healthcare and helping ensure that students receive the care they need to stay healthy.

Convenience is one of the biggest advantages of having an SBHC on school grounds. Transportation can be a significant barrier to accessing healthcare for some students, particularly those whose parents cannot take them to appointments or who do not have access to transportation. With an SBHC located within their school, these students can easily access healthcare when needed.

In addition, SBHCs offer a wide range of services that can help address various health issues. These include physical exams and immunizations as well as mental health counseling, reproductive health services, and nutrition counseling. By providing these services onsite at schools, clinics give students access to the care they need without them having to leave campus or find ways to get to a doctor’s office or clinic.

SBHCs play a critical role in keeping students healthy and in class, which can help reduce absenteeism due to illness or injury and support academic success. Research has shown that students with chronic illnesses are often absent from school due to their conditions, but with the right care and support from an SBHC, they can stay in school more consistently and keep up with their studies. Furthermore, studies have found that visiting an SBHC is associated with an increase in school attendance. Preliminary analysis of the Data xChange attendance and student health data for 14,030 users reveal that students’ attendance increased by 5.4 school days per year following any type of visit to a school-based health center, and it increased by 7 school days per year after a school-based health center visit for a mental health diagnosis. This is especially beneficial for disadvantaged communities where health disparities can lead to decreased educational opportunities for some children and adolescents.

Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust said, “By investing in school-based health centers, we are investing in the health and well-being of our future generations. We cannot afford to ignore the needs of our most vulnerable communities, and SBHCs are a critical component in addressing health disparities and promoting health equity.”

As a final point, school-based health centers are crucial resources for underserved communities, providing access to healthcare services that might not otherwise be available to students. SBHCs address the unique needs of children and adolescents by offering convenient, comprehensive, and age-appropriate healthcare services on school grounds. By reducing barriers to healthcare, promoting healthy attendance, and addressing health disparities, SBHCs help ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive and succeed in school and beyond. As such, school-based health centers play an essential role in creating healthy and equitable communities for all.

Brush It Up! The L.A. Trust launches online fundraiser for children's oral health

Brush It Up! is a peer-to-peer awareness and fundraiser to be held through videos, fun challenges, and social media February 21 – 24, 2023.

Kicking off National Children’s Dental Health Month, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health is proud to announce Brush It Up!, an online fundraising campaign to be held from February 21 to 24. The online event will feature daily videos with The L.A. Trust staff and oral health puppets Billy and Friends, highlighting surprising facts and fun challenges about children’s oral health. The goals of the campaign are to raise awareness of children’s oral health and funds to increase access to high quality oral health care, education, and resources to students in need in Los Angeles.

Since the start of the pandemic, children’s oral health has been on a rapid decline, particularly among high-need populations. To address this issue, The L.A. Trust has committed to dissolving barriers to oral health care by raising awareness, increasing access to dental care, and addressing the shortage of oral health providers in low-income communities.

“Good oral health is an essential part of overall health and wellness, and we are proud to host this online fundraiser to support our mission,” said Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust. “We are committed to promoting oral health and improving the lives of those in our community, and we need everyone’s support to make that happen.”

Brush It Up! will bring together The L.A. Trust board, staff, and friends to spread the word about the importance of oral health and raise funds for this critical cause. Supporters can donate money online and spread the word among their social networks. Our headline sponsors are Liberty Dental Plan and DentaQuest. Additional supporting sponsor is Big Smiles Dental.

Join The L.A. Trust in its mission to improve children’s oral health and Brush It Up! For more information about Brush It Up! and The L.A. Trust, or to make a donation, please visit here or contact Julie Eden, J.Edens@thelatrust.org.

Celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month: A call to action for healthy smiles

A kindergarten student at an LAUSD dental screening.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, a time to emphasize the significance of oral health in children's overall wellbeing. Sadly, many underserved communities face numerous barriers that make dental care for children challenging, including lack of oral health education and financial limitations. During this month and all year round, it's crucial to focus on expanding access to dental care for all children, especially those from underserved communities.

Educating Children on Oral Hygiene

The initial step in celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month is to educate children on the importance of maintaining oral health. Parents can lead by example by teaching their children to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. They should also explain why oral hygiene is vital and how poor habits can lead to serious health problems such as cavities and gum disease.

Schools Can Make a Difference

Schools play an integral role in this cause by providing basic oral health education and screenings, just like LA Unified is doing in its elementary schools. This kind of programming ensures that each student receives dental care during the academic year and helps connect families with dentists who accept Medicaid or other forms of insurance. Schools can also provide resources such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, so students can take responsibility for their oral health at home.

Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust speaking at the Oral Health Advisory Board meeting this month.

The L.A. Trust Oral Health Initiative

The L.A. Trust's Oral Health Initiative has been a driving force in oral health since 2012. The initiative has formed partnerships with providers and partners to bring free oral health education, screenings, and referrals to children without dental care. The L.A. Trust works annually with Los Angeles Unified and providers to screen and educate over 1,700 kindergartners and third graders. The initiative also supports the broader community by bringing together public health officials and private dental providers through its Oral Health Advisory Board meetings.

“Good oral health is essential for a healthy life, and it's our responsibility to ensure that all children, especially those in underserved communities, have access to the dental care and education they need for a healthy smile,” says Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust. “Let us celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month by committing to oral health as a priority for all children.”

In conclusion, National Children's Dental Health Month is a call to action to prioritize the dental health of our children. By educating children on oral hygiene and increasing awareness among school administrators and healthcare providers, we can help ensure that all children have access to the dental care they need and deserve. Let us work towards a future where every child has a healthy smile, regardless of their background or financial status. National Children's Dental Health Month is an opportunity to celebrate and advocate for our children's dental health today and every day.

The HPV vaccine for children: why it’s important

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It can cause cervical cancer as well as other types of cancer, such as throat and oral cancers. There is a vaccine available to help protect against these types of cancer in young people. The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before a person becomes sexually active. That's why it is recommended for preteens at ages 11 or 12, as this is around the time they start entering puberty and may be exposed to HPV. However, the vaccine can still provide some protection if given to older individuals who have not been exposed to all of the HPV strains covered by the vaccine. Additionally, the vaccine has been approved for use in individuals as young as 9 years old. Men and women up to age 45 can get vaccinated.

The HPV vaccine is a three-part series of injections given over a period of six months that helps protect against certain strains of the virus that can cause cancer. The vaccine works by stimulating an immune response to help prevent infection with those strains. It’s important to note that while the vaccine isn’t 100% effective, it does significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer caused by those strains.

There are several reasons why children should be vaccinated against HPV. Vaccinating children against HPV protects them from developing cancer in adulthood, provides lifetime immunity, reduces the risk of contracting and spreading the virus, and protects others from the virus as well. Getting vaccinated at a young age is crucial to ensure maximum protection. The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing the most dangerous strains of the virus, which cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. The vaccine has been extensively tested and has been deemed safe by numerous health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, vaccinating children also helps build herd immunity, which protects not only the vaccinated individuals but also the unvaccinated members of the community, particularly those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. So, vaccinating your child against HPV not only protects their health but also contributes to the well-being of the community as a whole.

With all these benefits combined, it should be easy to see why vaccinating your child against HPV is so important! The bottom line is this: if you have kids, get them vaccinated against HPV. It could save their lives.

Improving nutrition for underserved students

Good nutrition is essential for the overall health and well-being of all individuals, but it is especially important for students in underserved communities. Students who do not have access to healthy, nutritious meals may struggle with academic performance, behavior, and overall health.

There are several reasons why good nutrition is especially important for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. First, these students may not have access to the same resources as their more privileged peers. Many underserved students come from low-income families and may not have the means to purchase healthy, high-quality foods. This can lead to a reliance on cheap, unhealthy options, such as fast food and processed snacks, which can contribute to the development of chronic health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

In addition to physical health, good nutrition is also essential for mental health and academic performance. Proper nutrition can help students concentrate and focus in school, leading to better grades and overall academic success. Malnutrition, on the other hand, can lead to cognitive impairments, such as difficulty with problem-solving and memory, which can make it harder for students to learn and succeed in school.

There are several ways that schools and communities can help ensure that underserved students have access to healthy, nutritious meals. For example, Los Angeles Unified has implemented school meal programs that provide free or reduced-priced meals to low-income students. These programs help ensure that all students have access to healthy food, regardless of their family's income level.

The L.A. Trust works with students in 19 schools located in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles to advocate for healthy living and nutrition. Funded by the L.A. Trust, adult allies work in schools with student health leaders to provide materials, resources, and mentorship to students. Funded by the L.A. Trust, student health leaders plan and implement outreach campaigns to reach peers, model, and influence healthy behaviors.

Another option is to work with local organizations and community members to establish food pantries, farmers markets, and other resources that provide healthy, affordable food options for underserved students and their families. This can help address food insecurity and improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities.

Good nutrition is essential for the overall health and well-being of underserved students. By implementing programs and resources that provide access to healthy, nutritious meals, schools and communities can help ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically and live healthy, fulfilling lives.

A big win for The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Student Advisory Board members set up peer to peer student health campaign.

The L.A. Trust is thrilled to announce that it will be part of a $4 billion investment in the newly launched California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP).  The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Community Schools Initiative invited The L.A. Trust and UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS) to partner in a bid to become one of the eight Regional Technical Assistance Centers in the state to receive funding. It was announced last November that our proposal was awarded as part of $58 million in contracts.  

These historic grants will strengthen current County Offices of Education efforts to grow community schools by providing technical assistance in everything from fundraising to setting up peer-to-peer student health campaigns. Schools that wish to transition to community schools (and who need guidance in applying for funds to do so), as well as schools that have already begun functioning as community schools, are eligible for this technical assistance. 

As the community schools movement takes hold, many are wondering what differentiates a community school from a charter, a traditional, or other type of school. A community school serves as a hub for the community, providing educational and social services to students and their families. Community schools often have partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies to provide services such as health care, counseling, and after-school programs. These schools aim to support the whole child and address the non-academic barriers to learning that students may face, such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate housing.    

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said. “These Regional Technical Assistance Centers (RTACs) will work on the ground with local educational agencies and school sites to provide essential guidance. This is the moment for us to double down on our commitment to transform public education through the implementation of the CCSPP." 

Community schools are a key initiative of California’s historic transformation of public schools that includes universal free school meals; universal transitional kindergarten; before- and after-school learning; and investments in teacher training, coaching, recruitment, and retention. 

Community schools have existed for years, but the CCSSP is California’s first statewide initiative to provide funding, support, and standardization of the program through common guiding pillars: integrated services, including trauma-informed health services; expanded learning time and opportunities; collaborative leadership and practices for educators and administrators to support school climate; and engaging students, families, and the community. 

Research shows that community schools can result in better school attendance, better grades and test scores, higher enrollment in college-prep classes, and higher graduation rates. The L.A. Trust is grateful for the vote of confidence from LACOE and the opportunity to increase our service footprint. We are excited and inspired to expand and implement our mission. Let’s get to work! 

Balancing priorities in times of economic uncertainty

California's proposed 2023-24 state budget prioritizes youth mental health and community schools.

After two years of surplus and historic investment, economic uncertainty and a projected $22.5 billion budget deficit has California leaders taking a more measured approach to the 2023-24 state budget. At the unveiling of his proposed budget last Tuesday, Governor Newsom promised to continue the large initiatives funded during the surplus years, including $4 billion for community schools and $4.7 billion for youth mental health needs. Proposed new investments include $3.5 million ongoing for opioid overdose response on middle and high school campuses and additional funds for local prevention efforts. Far from final, the proposed budget is the first step in a long negotiation process that ends when the Legislature approves a final budget by the June 15th deadline.  

In the meantime, schools across Los Angeles are beginning to implement two ambitious initiatives at the center of The L.A. Trust advocacy platform. Last year, L.A. County schools were awarded $92 million in implementation grants and $1.7 million in planning grants in the first round of California Community Schools Partnership Program funding. The L.A. Trust is thrilled to help schools implement these transformative investments as we partner with the L.A. County Office of Education and the UCLA Center for the Transformation of schools to serve as the Regional Technical Assistance Center for L.A. County.   

Likewise, funding for school-based interventions through the $4.2 billion Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) will begin opening this year. The L.A. Trust School Health Policy Roundtable submitted recommendations to the state regarding CYBHI that we will uplift locally though partnerships with our county mental health department, Medi-Cal health plans, and school and community partners.  

These and other initiatives present an exciting opportunity to advance youth-centered systems of support in schools that help students thrive. We look forward to collaborating across sectors to achieve this vision.  

Share our priorities? We’d love to partner. Contact Gabby Tilley at g.tilley@thelatrust.org to learn more.

Students advocate for hydration stations at Washington Prep High School

Student advocates and speakers pose in front of the hydration station at Washington Prep High School.

The L.A. Trust was proud to be a part of the Water Station launch event at George Washington Preparatory High School this past December. The new water station effort was spearheaded by young leaders from the Washington Prep Student Advisory Board (SAB). These SAB water advocates, through a successful partnership with school administrators and facilities staff, raised awareness of the issue and the benefits of hydration stations to help the school identify and evaluate potential locations for hydration stations. The school had several water fountains throughout the campus, but some did not work properly, and some were deemed unsafe or inadequate during the pandemic. Recognizing the need, students took it upon themselves to advocate for hydration stations.

SAB advocate filling up the donated water bottle at the new hydration station.

The SAB members wanted to promote healthy habits and make a positive impact in their school community. They raised awareness about the importance of staying hydrated, and the environmental impact of disposable plastic water bottles. Hydration stations are water fountains that are specifically designed to fill reusable water bottles, and they can be a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic water bottles.

The L.A. Trust and the Metropolitan Water District donated water bottles for all 800 students at Washington Prep High School. Water-wise materials were distributed to students and campus staff by We Tap.

To commemorate the event and to recognize the students for being leaders and leaving their mark, Washington Prep Principal Tony Booker announced that the SAB member names will be listed on tiles to be placed above the hydration station in the lunch area.

Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director of The L.A. Trust said, “It is vital that we give students the tools to advocate for themselves, as they will be the innovators of tomorrow who can truly make a positive impact on the world.”

SAB advocates at Washington Prep High School.

Hydration is an essential part of maintaining good health and is especially important for the growing bodies of our young people. Investing in hydration stations at schools is an investment in our students' wellness and well-being. By advocating for this simple resource, these SAB members became empowered as young leaders who can make a difference both now and in their futures. The experience provided an opportunity to learn about the policy and political process, teamwork and leadership skills. Advocacy in high school is not limited to just hydration stations, it can also be used to create change and rally support for other improvements in our schools.

Speakers at the launch event included Patrice Marshall Mckenzie representing LAUSD Board Member District 1, Dr. George McKenna; Tony Booker, Washington Prep. Principal; Mark Hovatter, LAUSD Facilities Director; Kate Nutting, General Manager Southwest District Manager; Evelyn Wendell, Executive Director of WeTap; Joseph Chavez, Jr., Metropolitan Water District; and Marsha Ellis, Director of Programs at The L.A. Trust.

Fall season dental screenings for kids

Esther Yepez and Maryjane Puffer at 116th Street Elementary School providing oral health education.

Throughout the month of October, The L.A. Trust partnered with Big Smiles Dental to increase the number of dental screening consent forms collected from 22 LAUSD elementary schools (grades K-5). The L.A. Trust is currently working with LAUSD to phase out the consent forms. However, the forms are still being used today.

The L.A. Trust oral health team served as “boots on the ground,” in a two-step process. First, they visited all 22 schools classroom by classroom to provide oral health education. Billy and friends good oral health puppets, led demonstrations on how to brush properly and played interactive games where the students learned about healthy and not-so-healthy snacks to avoid cavities. At the end of the screenings, students received a wrist band that reminded their parents to return the consent forms for their dental screenings which were scheduled to take place on school premises two weeks after the oral health presentations.

For the second step, The L.A. Trust team returned to the 22 school sites with Billy the puppet and friends to do a short 10- minute presentation for the students as they waited their turn to see the dentist. The presentation consisted of a short Sesame Street video that talked about oral health and another video called “No More Nasties,” which talked about brushing and flossing. The dental screenings are free of charge for students, as are the dental services provided to them. Anything the child needs that day can be serviced if the parents fill out the consent form and opt for any of the services provided.

Jasmine Cisneros at South Park Elementary School.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and yet it is also the most preventable. Early and consistent oral health care is critical to preventing dental caries (tooth decay) in children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children visit the dentist at the time of first tooth eruption and no later than at one year old and every six months after that. Unfortunately, this need for oral health care often goes unmet, leaving our youth vulnerable to advancing decay. Barriers to accessing oral health care include a lack of awareness about the importance of routine oral health care; lack of dental insurance; and a shortage of oral health providers to treat low-income children in their communities.

The L.A. Trust Oral Health Initiative

Since 2012 The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Initiative has been forging partnerships with providers and partners to bring free oral health education, screenings and referrals to children who lack dental care. We work with Los Angeles Unified and providers to facilitate screenings and education for more than 1,700 kindergartners and third graders. The L.A. Trust also supports the broader community by convening public health officials and private dental providers through our Oral Health Advisory Board meetings. During the lockdown period of COVID-19, The L.A. Trust also launched Operation Tooth Fairy, raising oral health awareness and distributing more than 50,000 toothbrushes.

Wellness Center report cards show improvements

School-based administrators, clinicians, and student health advocates from Los Angeles school-based Wellness Centers shared best practices for student health.

This past October The L.A. Trust hosted the Wellness Network Learning Collaborative conference at the California Endowment in Downtown Los Angeles. It was the first in-person conference in two years, and administrators, clinicians, and student health advocates were excited to see each other away from the computer monitor. The semi-annual event focused on sharing best practices for increasing student health across L.A. Unified.

Spotlight on SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment)

The highlight of the Learning Collaborative featured Dr. Barth-Rogers, chief medical officer of the UMMA Wellness Center at Fremont High School in South Los Angeles. She provided an update on the UMMA Clinic’s best practices in harm-reduction and incorporating SBIRT through the Wellness & Adolescent Substance Use Prevention (WASUP) Project. Dr. Barth-Rogers said, “I think collecting the data is one of the most challenging aspects of the screening process, and we are still improving.” She continued, “At UMMA, it's really important for us as an organization to have accurate and reliable data, and we are constantly monitoring the data to make improvements.”

Wellness Center Report Cards

L.A. Unified’s Dr. Ron Tanimura, Director of Student Medical Services, provided an update on the 17 Wellness Centers with an aggregated report card that showed a 63% increase in overall student visits. Each Wellness Center representative pored over reports on their Wellness Centers’ data provided by The L.A. Trust’s Data xChange for the school year 2021-2022. Data included statistics on unique patient visits, services provided, demographics and more. Dr. Tanimura led the discussion on Wellness Center metrics and discussed the history and future of the Wellness Network. He thanked The L.A. Trust for gathering and presenting these metrics and emphasized the importance of reliable data. “We can’t tell a story without this type of data.”

Feedback and discussion on the Wellness Report Cards was led by LAUSD’s Gloria Velasquez, Organization Facilitator for Student Medical Services and Alex Zepeda, Senior Data & Research Analyst at the L.A. Trust. Marsha Ellis, Director of Programs from The L.A. Trust and Victor Luna, Organization Facilitator, LAUSD helped round out the meeting by clarifying the process for the School Integration Tool.

Moving Forward

Senior Policy Manager, Gabby Tilley brought some clarity on the legislative landscape for school-based health centers. Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director for The L.A. Trust, provided updates on what to expect in the coming months with ongoing initiatives, including the Youth Mental Health Collaborative, Data xChange expansion, Rapid Adolescent Prevention Screening (RAAPS) and the Oral Health Initiative. 

Attendees were excited to see friends and colleagues in person after more than two years. The group came together for student health and were inspired by the work that has been done and invigorated by the work that still needs to be done. We look forward to the next Wellness Network Learning Collaborative in June 2023. See you there!

The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment and district survey results

A kindergarten student at a school dental screening.

In 2005 California legislators passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1433 to create the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) to help improve student health and strengthen efforts to reduce absenteeism. However, the assembly bill needed additional funding and infrastructure to realize a successful implementation. Then in 2018, KOHA was amended with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 379, which allowed for onsite screening with an opt-out consent option for parents with the goal to screen more children and identify which children need urgent care and find them a dental home. With oral screenings made available at the schools, officials can now improve data collection to measure the success of oral health prevention and intervention programs.

Why California Needs the KOHA

A 2020 Smile Survey found that by the time Los Angeles County’s children enter kindergarten, almost half have experienced tooth decay. In addition, almost 20% or 43,500 kindergartners and 3rd graders experience severe tooth decay. On any given day more than 4,500 Los Angeles County kindergarten and third-grade children need urgent dental care, which means they may be experiencing mouth pain or a serious infection. If left untreated, tooth decay can affect essential aspects of daily living, including eating, speaking, and performing at home, school, or work. Children with poor oral health miss more school and receive lower grades than those with better oral health. Early dental care plus regular and consistent prevention are key to improving the oral health and overall health of children in Los Angeles County. This highlights the need for ongoing screening, referral, and case management services in schools that serve children at greatest risk.  

The L.A. Trust and the KOHA District Survey Project

Last year The L.A. Trust partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Oral Health Program to survey how 28 school districts with the largest elementary enrollments in L.A. County are reporting and collecting KOHA project. The culmination of that research was shared by The L.A. Trust in person and via Zoom on May 16, 2022, at the Endowment Center in Los Angeles with L.A. Unified, L.A. County and Smile California. The L.A. Trust shared key findings from the survey that highlighted best practices, challenges of gathering the necessary data, and recommendations on how to improve reporting to capture accurate and timely data.

This study analyzed the implementation of KOHA in 28 of the largest school districts in Los Angeles County, including the 574,570 students enrolled in LAUSD. This is the total number of students enrolled in LAUSD, not just the kindergartners. This information will be used to improve reporting, and support districts and families to receive more oral health care as the effort progresses.  Understanding the reporting mechanism will help schools focus on how to efficiently streamline reporting data to the state and use it to improve children’s oral health. The L.A. Trust also looked at the reporting mechanisms and promotion strategies of the 28 school districts.

There are layers of complexity when it comes to optimizing the implementation of KOHA in Los Angeles County.  L.A. County is the largest county in the United States, with 88 cities and 80 school districts, including the second largest city in the nation, and the second largest school district. The county is also one of the most diverse regions of the country where one third of the residents are immigrants and an estimated 185 languages and dialects are spoken. In addition, the need is critical: surveys show that 47 percent of the county’s children may have experienced tooth decay by kindergarten.

Challenges with the System for California Oral Health Reporting

KOHA data should be entered into and managed by the System for California Oral Health Reporting (SCOHR). Today data is collected via paper forms distributed to parents through various channels. While many districts distribute the forms in enrollment packets, survey results indicate that the best results come after an in-person consultation or a presentation.

Most school districts surveyed reported that their student oral health data is housed in either paper forms or in spreadsheets. If KOHA data is uploaded in the system, it is entered manually and not automated. Many districts reported that SCOHR does not work as advertised and that the system displays severe undercounts that do not reflect the data put into the system. A majority of districts also reported that school staff lack the training on how to use the system properly.

Recommendations for Improvement

Below are the recommendations unveiled by The L.A. Trust in the KOHA convening on May 16.

1.       Update the SCOHR reporting system.

2.       Improve and standardize the Oral Health Reporting form. A scannable form matched to a state scanning system would obviate the issues with the SCOHR reporting system.

3.       Increase the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s support of KOHA data submission. 

4.       Until other reporting system improvements are made, train and assist districts to submit summary information from their data systems into the SCOHR system.   

5.       Provide materials and training to districts and schools to improve oral health support to families. 

6.       Provide training and support to assist school districts in utilizing dental partnerships to screen students and assist them in obtaining a dental home.

School readiness is much more than attending to children’s early learning and cognitive development. 2021 marked the inaugural launch of the district survey on KOHA data collection, and we look forward to working with our partners to ensure that we gather the most accurate and comprehensive information available. The L.A. Trust will continue to create opportunities to partner with communities, local schools, and health officials to improve data collection systems and processes. Children’s oral health is a pillar issue that impacts the overall health of the student as well as their performance in school. Ultimately it affects family finances as well as school and community economics. Through schools and local health advocates working together, we can promote oral health and put children on a path to wellness and academic success. There is no better investment in the future than supporting the health and well-being of our children.

Project Leader: Casey Balverde, Data and Research Analyst at The L.A. Trust

Salute to Student Health: an event to remember

The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health event 2022. Photo credit by Rinzi Ruiz Photography.

On September 29 more than 200 healthcare providers, educators and civic leaders gathered in-person at Vibiana, Downtown Los Angeles and online for The L.A. Trust’s second annual Salute to Student Health. The gala raised awareness and funds for student health and honored Dr. Barbara Ferrer with The L.A. Trust Champion Award and Dr. Jeanne Pritzker with the L.A. Trust Visionary Award. Both were honored for their leadership and commitment to the health and lives of our students and communities.

Executive Director Maryjane Puffer and Board President Brandon Burris.

Brandon Burris, board president of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, noted that “Two of the most pressing challenges our students face are mental health and oral health.” Burris said, “These issues are not going away. In some cases, they are getting worse. And that is the real reason why we are here tonight – to bridge the gap between education and health, and to shrink these statistics so that we can provide the safest and healthiest path forward for our children.” He then thanked all our evening sponsors and introduced Executive Director Maryjane Puffer.

“As we move through 2022, we continue to seek ways to increase access, equity, and awareness, as well as to bring high-quality healthcare services to the students we serve,” said Puffer. “It has been an extraordinary year despite the challenges, and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships with all of you,” she said.

Puffer acknowledged our research partners and the staff at the Federally Qualified Health Centers, who provide crucial care to students through the Wellness Centers. “The staff at these clinics went above and beyond during the height of the COVID-19 crisis,” she said, “and they continue to do so, serving students and families despite the many obstacles.”

Beautiful butterfly experience

Marsha Ellis, program director at The L.A. Trust, introduced the night’s featured guest speaker, Taaliyah Tucker, an undergraduate at LA Trade Technical College and a former member of The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board (SAB) at Washington Prep High School.

Student speaker Taaliyah Tucker.

Taaliyah Tucker spoke about her “Beautiful Butterfly Experience”, and how joining The L.A. Trust SAB helped her come out of her cocoon. “I went from being this shy girl, to speaking with my peers at table events to being highlighted in an L.A. Trust video,” she said. “And then speaking at the Youth to Youth Conference to High School kids from all parts of LA Unified. And tonight, I’m here sharing my story with all of you.”

Ms. Tucker shared her experience with bullying and the personal toll it took on her physical and mental well-being. She spoke about growing up without parents, being an introvert, joining The L.A. Trust Student Advisory Board and her hopes for the future.

“I don’t know where I’ll be 5 or 10 years from now, but what I do know is that I will always continue to learn and hopefully, keep up with my public speaking and educating people on the great work The L.A. Trust has done and continues to do for students like me,” she said. “For a student who once upon a time used to be a shy girl from South LA, but has now turned into a beautiful butterfly.” Her emotional speech prompted a standing ovation.  

Interconnected realization

Pia Escudero, Executive Director at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Division of Student Health & Human Services received the award on behalf of Jeanne Pritzker. Escudero said, “I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of Jeanne because without Jeanne, we wouldn’t have the professionals that we have, the tools and resources that we have and be able to spread the wealth of health and mental well-being that we have today in our schools.”     

Dr. Barbara Ferrer

Megan Reilly, Deputy Superintendent at LAUSD presented The L.A. Trust Champion Award to Dr. Barbara Ferrer. Dr. Ferrer noted how interconnected we are and how much we depend on each other. Dr. Ferrer said, “Every day, I get to work alongside remarkable people who tirelessly advance the health and well-being of more than 10 million people who live and work in LA County.” She asked the audience to join her in recognizing her public health colleagues who were in attendance and said, “This award is a tribute to their commitment, their exceptional efforts, and their personal sacrifice over the past nearly three years. I feel very fortunate to be a member of this public health team.”

Dr. Ferrer said, “As I look back over this very long pandemic, I am hopeful for our future, because we have forged ‘in strength and relationships that will allow us to continue to work together, improving conditions for students and their families, inside and outside the classrooms for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.”

Bidding for good 

The evening sponsors included our Gold Sponsor , Kaiser Permanente, and Silver Sponsors , Liberty Dental Plan, Delta Dental, Big Smiles, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, William Grice, L.A. Care, Health Net, Anton Consulting, and L.A. County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. Bronze Sponsors included Planned Parenthood, Health Management Associates, St. John’s Community Health, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Orchard Financial Group, Tangram Interiors, Western Dental, and To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers. Community Allies include The California Credit Union, California Community Foundation, Holos Communities, LAUSD Board District 1/Dr. McKenna, Nicole J. Jones, and Brian Benton. Special thanks go to The Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation.

The evening included a Silent Auction and an entertaining Live Auction featuring trips to Italy, Hawaii, Mammoth and Mexico. “Fund-a-need” pledges helped raise thousands of dollars for The L.A. Trust’s student engagement programs.

The L.A. Trust is very grateful for all who came and all who gave. Thanks to our sponsors, attendees and bidders, The L.A. Trust raised more than $200,000 to fund programs in the coming year. More importantly, it brought attention to the need for student healthcare. The L.A. Trust is especially proud of Taaliyah and the current Student Advisory Board members and Covid Youth Task Force members in our video, who showed everyone what The L.A. Trust mission is all about.

Thank you for your support at our Salute to Student Health event

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

We at The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health would like to thank you for joining us at this year's SALUTE TO STUDENT HEALTH Gala and helping to make our second annual event a great success. It was a true privilege for us to be able to come together and recognize the great work we have done together, and honor Dr. Jeanne Pritzker and Dr. Barbara Ferrer. Of course, we could not do any of this without your support. Your commitment, your friendship and your generosity inspires everything that we do. Thank you!

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VIEW SOME SPECIAL MOMENTS IN OUR PHOTO GALLERY!

View, download and share the 2022 Salute to Student Health digital gallery. A big THANK YOU to all the individuals and companies who showed their support and commitment to The L.A. Trust mission. Thank you for helping to make our gala an evening to remember.
>>PHOTO GALLERY

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It was a night to remember and we were so grateful to catch up with friends we had not seen in awhile and make some new ones. The evening was full of good people looking good and feeling good. Thank you again and we look forward to seeing more of you throughout the year! If you missed our event or want to relive that wonderful evening, watch it again in our pre-recorded coverage.

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Meet our staff, partners and the students we serve in this inspiring look at the Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health video that was featured in our event. Our mission: Bridging health and education to achieve student wellness. Our vision: A world where every child is healthy and successful.

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SPONSORS

The L.A. Trust, students and allies start the school year strong

Washington Prep High School SAB members at a table recruiting event.

Our Student Advisory Boards (SABs) have proven to be invaluable in raising awareness and providing feedback on student outreach campaigns, and  this school year promises to be another momentous year for student-led action.

The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health continues its education and outreach on student mental health, sexual and reproductive health, healthy living, and substance abuse through our SABs. We currently have 13 SABs located on high school campuses across L.A. Unified School District, including our latest addition, Sylvia Mendez High School in Boyle Heights. The SABs are managed by Adult Allies who serve as professional liaisons and educators to support the student volunteers in their education and outreach efforts to their peers.

Why Join a SAB

Throughout the year SAB volunteers are given opportunities to hone their leadership skills and develop as a persuasive public speaker. Not only does the volunteer experience look good on college applications, but the skills practiced while serving on a SAB can be life changing. For example, a recent graduate of Washington Prep High School, Taaliyah Tucker, credits her work in the SAB for helping her grow into a confident and powerful public speaker.

The Year Ahead

Belmont High School SAB members placing yellow suicide prevention ribbons on student backpacks for anti-suicide campaign week.

SAB volunteers will manage tabling events and workshops throughout the year that focus on student health issues, including HPV and other STIs, substance use, daily challenges, and safer sex. The first major campaign of the year is taking place this September and will focus on suicide prevention. The SABs are scheduled to have tables at events and post extensively on social media throughout this month. Students will share resources that are available 24/7 for those seeking help, including the Trevor Project (866 488-7386), focused on LGBTQ+ youth but open to all, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800 273 8255 in English and Spanish). One can also text HELLO TO 741741 anytime. 

SAB volunteer Emily Galvez is looking forward to the 2022 school year. “I am a senior at Jordan High School and I’m excited to be part of the SAB because this is my first year,” said Galvez. “I get to gain from these experiences and share what I’ve learned with others who might not know where or how to get the resources they need to stay in good health. I’m also looking forward to all the fun events we have planned and meeting new people.”

The L.A. Trust is proud to work with students like Taaliyah and Emily. All of our students are excited about the new school year as they prepare to share and learn with their peers. The L.A. Trust understands that the success of our school outreach efforts and the magnitude of our impact is in no small part thanks to the success of our Student Advisory Boards – and we stand ready to support them in this important endeavor.

We are in a moment of transformative opportunity

We are in a unique moment of opportunity to advance school-based healthcare. This year, students made their return to the classroom, bringing with them unmet health and mental health needs exacerbated by 2+ years of pandemic disruption. Luckily, California entered this year’s budget cycle with a $100 billion surplus and continued its trajectory of unprecedented public investments. Between this and next year’s budget, California has committed over $20 billion toward meeting the non-academic needs of K-12 students, including $4.7 billion to transform kids’ mental health and $4 billion (ongoing appropriation, unless it’s actively removed during the budget process it would remain in place) to provide afterschool and summer enrichment programs. We applaud the state’s effort to target historic investments toward Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income communities, which experienced disproportionate harm from COVID-19 due to longstanding structural and systemic inequities. 

Heightened interest and investment in youth mental health and school environments is elevating the role of school-based healthcare. The L.A. Trust School Health Policy Roundtable, a cross-sector collaborative of 33 organizations committed to advancing schools as centers of wellness, is working to ensure transformative investments in school health go toward building integrated, youth centered systems of care that help LA County youth succeed in school and life.  

 Learn more about the Roundtable and our policy goals here.  

Share our priorities? We’d love to partner. Contact Gabby Tilley at g.tilley@thelatrust.org to learn more.  

AB 1940 Awaiting Governor Newsom's Signature 

We are proud to support AB 1940 (Salas): School-Based Health Center Support Program, state legislation sponsored by the California School-based Health Alliance. The bill is on Newsom’s desk awaiting signature or veto—take action to help pass AB 1940!  

AB 1940 updates and modernizes the existing school-based health center (SBHC) grant program to meet the current needs of SBHCs in the state. The SBHC Program has existed in statute since 2007 yet has never been implemented due to a lack of funding. Unfortunately, funding for SBHC grants was left out of the 2022-23 state budget, but passing AB 1940 is an important step toward dedicated state funding.  

TAKE ACTION 

Tell Governor Newsom to sign AB 1940

LAUSD to focus on growing the number of students and staff accessing mental health support

LAUSD is set to promote mental health among students, teachers, and staff over the next four years.

The new Superintendent for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Alberto M. Carvalho has laid out a bold vision for the nation’s second largest school district and part of that vision includes promoting mental health among the district’s students, teachers, and staff over the next four years. With mental health and well-being of students gaining greater urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, The L.A. Trust has partnered with Ballmer Group, district staff from the School Mental Health Division and Wellness Programs, Wellness Providers (clinics), and other external partners to create a Youth Mental Health Collaborative. Meeting each quarter, the goal of the collaborative is to raise awareness and increase pathways to mental health services for students.

L.A. Unified is looking to invest in student wellness; by promoting whole-child wellbeing through integrated health and wellness services and a continuity of mental services for students and families at school, wellness centers, and through telehealth programs. The district will record data in socio-emotional learning and focus on growing the number of students and staff accessing mental health support. LAUSD plans to consistently monitor results and engage with the community to ensure its priorities are on track. 

Training programs are created in collaboration with students to facilitate referrals and raise awareness around mental health.

The Youth Mental Health Collaborative is part of The L.A. Trust’s Student Mental Health Initiative which includes training programs and social media campaigns created in collaboration with students to facilitate referrals and raise awareness around mental health. The L.A. Trust has trained over 200 L.A. Unified teachers and community partners in Youth Mental Health First Aid, which is designed to teach adults how to help adolescents experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge. In addition, trainings are provided to students on Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR), a program aimed at reducing suicidal behaviors.

The L.A. Trust is committed to total student wellness — mind, body and spirit. This school year, we will continue to advocate for mental health services, whether on campus or off, and to fight the stigma that keeps students and family members from seeking help.

Students engage in conversation on mental health at our annual Summer Academy

Members of The L.A. Trust’s Student Advisory Boards prepared for the new school year at The L.A. Trust Student Health Summer Learning Academy online.

This July Student Advisory Board (SAB) members from ten LAUSD Wellness Center campuses  prepared for a new school year at The L.A. Trust’s annual Summer Learning Academy on student health. The virtual event served as an orientation for incoming students joining the SABs and was an opportunity for participants to learn more about us and collaborate on challenges for the coming year.

 “We had great participation from the students this year,” said Senior Program Manager Robert Renteria. “Students were engaged in conversations that covered topics such as consent, mental health, sexual and reproductive health and identity.”

Students from ten LAUSD campuses — Belmont, Carson, Crenshaw, Elizabeth Learning Center, Garfield, Jordan, Locke, Monroe, Santee and Washington — attended. The students were joined by staff members from The L.A. Trust’s student engagement team, LAUSD Adult Allies, and mental health professionals.

A video to educate teens about depression and what to do if you or a friend is depressed.

Tanya Mercado and Frank Dussan, psychiatric social workers from LAUSD, helped lead a discussion on mental health and resources. Attendees also watched and discussed More than Sad, a video on depression and the stigma surrounding mental health that keeps youth from seeking treatment. 

 “We are expecting this engagement to translate to a great year of health promotion on campuses,” Renteria said. “The students are crucial to the success of our school outreach. Peer to peer outreach is a proven strategy and our SAB members are prepared with information to help support other students in their path to health and success. We are inspired by their enthusiasm and creativity and we’re looking forward to a great school year ahead.” Other topics included data and public health, including The L.A. Trust Data xChange, selfcare, sexuality and identity, healthy relationship and how to create and conduct health campaigns. 

The L.A. Trust Salute to Student Health 2022

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A MAGICAL NIGHT BENEFITING A CRITICAL MISSION

Thursday, September 29 | 6 to 9pm
Vibiana | 214 S. Main Street
and streaming online
Downtown Los Angeles

Join us on Sept. 29 as we honor Jeanne Pritzker with the L.A. Trust Visionary Award and Dr. Barbara Ferrer with The L.A. Trust Champion Award, for their leadership and commitment to the health and lives of our students and communities.

Meet your colleagues and support our vision of a world where every student is healthy and successful. The evening will feature dinner prepared by acclaimed Redbird chef Neal Fraser, along with a silent and live auction. Join us in saluting our two honorees and make a difference in student health.

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Event Ticket 

$200.00 $175.00 per person
Early registration ends on September 9, 2022
Complimentary Valet | Cocktail Business Formal

We are taking every precaution to keep this event safe. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in person or virtually. The event will adhere to the current COVID-19 guidelines.

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SPONSORS

Oral Health Advisory Board focuses on dental high-risk priority schools

Esther Yepez and her friend Billy show little ones how to brush their teeth.

Oral health leaders from the healthcare industry, nonprofits, academia, and the government met online at The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory Board quarterly meeting on June 7. Representatives from about 20 organizations discussed ways to help students in dental high-risk priority schools to access oral health services, how to improve screening assessments, and developed a roadmap for future meetings.

Dr. Smita Malhotra, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Medical Director provided an update from the new Superintendent for LAUSD, Alberto M. Carvalho, who has identified 68 priority schools as dental high-risk schools. LAUSD aims to bring mobile dental services to all the priority schools in the upcoming school year. They hope to provide toothbrushes and other resources in these schools and to boost The Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) participation in communities where dental care resources are lacking or what health officials call “dental desert communities.” 

Assessments and screenings

Casey Balverde, Data and Research Analyst with The L.A. Trust, gave a brief overview of the KOHA Survey Project, an online survey conducted in 28 districts to see how each district is distributing, collecting, and reporting KOHA data. The L.A. Trust is finalizing a full report in collaboration with the L.A. County Health Department detailing best practices, challenges and recommendations that should be ready later this month.

Elizabeth Brummel, Oral Health Community Liaison at the UCLA School of Dentistry, gave a brief update on the findings of their own Oral Health Collaborative Consortium of five elementary schools in South L.A. She outlined what UCLA Dentistry is doing to advance school-based oral health, including updates on their assessment, education, and outreach programs.

Esther Yepez from The L.A. Trust provided updates on the Big Smiles screenings small pilot project at the nine schools in the Local South District which provided oral health education to 781 students. The pilot project was able to screen 162 students and is aiming next year to increase the impact on children with more education and screenings.

Maryjane Puffer, executive director of The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, added that there was likely growth in dental emergencies due to the pandemic. In the last 10 years, the average has been 4-6% and now it is at 9%. The dramatic increase in cavities, or “covidties” as Dr. Francisco Ramos called them, can be seen as a result of the pandemic with the closure of dental clinics, social distancing, staying indoors, and fear of visiting unfamiliar places.

Moving forward

The L.A. Trust’s Oral Health Advisory Board ended with a focus on next convening’s agenda. The agenda includes reporting findings and recommendations on referral systems for the city, the county and the state. The Board seeks to align LAUSD priority schools with the LA County priority schools to make sure those students get first access to dental screenings and referrals to dental homes. The Board also aims to ensure that water fountains at the 68 priority schools are properly fluoridated to supplement ongoing oral health initiatives.