Connecting for student health and wellness
Wellness Network convening brings partners together for student well-being
This month, The L.A. Trust convened the Wellness Network Learning Collaborative at the California Endowment in Downtown Los Angeles. The event brought together more than 100 engaged administrators, healthcare providers, and student wellness advocates. This semi-annual gathering provided a dynamic space for reconnecting, sharing insights, and exchanging best practices, all focused on advancing student health and wellness across L.A. Unified.
Dr. Ron Tanimura, Director of Student Medical Services at L.A. Unified, shared important updates on the district’s Student Medical Services and Medi-Cal Programs. He also introduced The L.A. Trust’s latest Data xChange Impact Report for School-Based Health Centers, featuring 2023–2024 data on patient visits, services delivered, demographics, and other key metrics. The report offered a comprehensive look at emerging health trends across school-based clinics, using aggregated data to highlight patterns, challenges, and opportunities. It underscored the importance of leveraging data to inform targeted strategies and improve outcomes for students and families. Dr. Tanimura noted that the full report will be publicly available later this summer, allowing schools, partners, and community stakeholders to access and apply its findings. He concluded by reaffirming the power of collaboration in advancing student and community wellness.
Attendee joins “Awareness to Solutions” interactive activity
As part of the presentation, attendees participated in an interactive activity titled "Awareness to Solutions," designed to foster reflection, dialogue, and action. Participants were encouraged to look carefully at the data and consider what stood out to them, how these trends manifest in their school sites or roles, and to generate practical ideas for improvement. The activity included prompts to identify key collaborators, reflect on whose voices might be missing from the data, and craft personal commitments to student wellness.
In a separate portion of the event, speakers introduced two tools aimed at strengthening school-based health efforts. The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) environmental scan was highlighted as a method to assess current practices and guide future strategies to support student health and wellbeing. Additionally, a presentation on the School Integration Tool provided insights on how schools can better align health services with educational goals to more effectively embed wellness supports into the school environment.
Justin Cole shares student support system overview
Justin Cole from the Homeless Education Office (HEO) and Student Support and Attendance Services offered an overview of the support systems available for students experiencing homelessness. He outlined how students are quickly connected to resources, often within 24 to 48 hours, including backpacks, school supplies, shoes, hygiene kits, and transportation. Eligible students may also qualify for the AB 1806 graduation exemption if they transfer schools after their sophomore year. Cole emphasized the importance of completing a Student Housing Questionnaire for each child in a family to ensure access to services. He also described transportation options such as TAP cards, school bus coordination, and special programs like “House to School of Origin” for foster youth. Additionally, Cole highlighted HEO’s seasonal and year-round initiatives, including Operation School Bell, Sponsor-a-Family, the Assistance League’s Futures Unlimited tuxedo event at JCPenney, and the Sponsor a Graduate scholarship program, all designed to provide meaningful experiences, recognition, and support to students in need. He concluded by encouraging school staff to stay connected through HEO’s Schoology page and office hours, and provided contact information for regional Title I counselors and coordinators.
The Wellness Network Learning Collaborative once again proved to be an inspiring gathering for administrators, clinicians, and student health advocates. With a comprehensive focus on student health, the event energized participants and reinforced their commitment to advancing wellness in schools. We look forward to continuing this important work and reconnecting at the next Wellness Network Learning Collaborative.