The L.A. Trust Impact Report 2025

IMPACT Report

2025

Highlighting SchoolBased Health Centers and Wellness Centers at LAUSD

TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2

INTRODUCTION 3

DEMOGRAPHICS 4 DENTAL 5 PREVENTATIVE CARE 7 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 9 RECOMMENDATIONS 11 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 12

A MESS AGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MARYJANE PUFFER Dear Friends and Partners, We are excited to share this year’s data report, which highlights the incredible impact of Wellness Centers and School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) across Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) campuses. This report is a testament to the power of schoolbased health in transforming student outcomes and ensuring access to essential care.

The latest data reaffirms what we have long known; when students have access to quality healthcare, they have greater opportunities to succeed. The Wellness Centers and SBHCs continue to be lifelines for students and families, providing critical medical, dental, and behavioral health services across LAUSD campuses.

During the 2023-2024 school year, we saw significant increases in the number of students and families accessing care. Over 54,200 patients made nearly 186,000 visits to the centers, marking a 9% overall increase in patients and

a 10% increase in student-age patients from the previous year.

These numbers reflect growing trust in the services and a deepening understanding of the connection between health and academic success.

The impact of our work is farreaching. More than one-third of patients accessed behavioral health and dental services in addition to primary care, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to student wellness. Preventive care efforts are also making a difference—59% of student-age patients received well-child exams, and screenings for critical health issues continue to improve. However, the data also underscores ongoing challenges, including rising obesity rates and persistent behavioral health needs.

These findings fuel our commitment to expanding innovative solutions such as dental-medical integration, mental health interventions, and partnerships that promote healthier lifestyles for students.

As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to strengthening the link between health and education. Our data-driven approach allows us to advocate for policies and programs that enhance student well-being and ensure that every child has access to the care they need to thrive.

Thank you for your continued support in making school-based health a cornerstone of student success.

With gratitude,

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

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T

he Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health provides support to

the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Wellness Centers located on school campuses in areas of highest need. These Wellness Centers and LAUSD’s School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) make medical, dental, and behavioral health services accessible to children and families, while also providing students with more opportunities to learn and succeed in school. The following data shows the impact on students and families of the 17 Wellness Centers and 3 SBHCs that participated in the Data xChange during the 2023-2024 school year. The Data xChange integrated clinic data, de-identified and matched records to LAUSD academic data to show the links between health and educational outcomes.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 54,259 patients visited the Wellness Centers and SBHCs. The total number of visits among all patients was 185,949, with each patient visiting an average of 3.4 times. There was a 9% increase in the number of all patients and a 10% increase in the number of patients 6-19 years of age utilizing the Wellness Centers and SBHCs compared to the 2022-2023 school year.

The Wellness Centers and SBHCs are comprehensive and equitable, offering full-service primary care and behavioral health, and ten also provide dental health services. Most patients (63%) received primary care services only, while more than one-third (37%) received primary care services along with behavioral health and/or dental health services. The percentage of patients receiving dental services in addition to primary care is higher among the ten clinics that offer the full range of dental services (36% compared to 27%). There may be a need for outreach to inform patients about the availability of dental services, the importance of oral health, and the impacts of poor oral health on overall health. Clinics may also look to dental-medical integration models to ensure patients receive oral health care.

2023-2024 Patients

54,259 Patient Increase Year-Over-Year

9%

Visits

185,949 Average Visits/ Patients

3.4

Percent of patients receiving primary care services only compared to those receiving combination of services *Sum of percentage > 37 due to rounding

Primary Care Only

63%

Primary Care and other health services

37%

Primary & Dental

24%

Primary & Behavioral

11%

Primary, Behavioral & Dental

3%

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Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

DEMOGRAPHICS Wellness Centers and SBHCs serve students, their families, and community members of all ages. Student-age patients are those between the ages of 6 and 19. More than half (55%) of student-age patients were 14–19 years of age; this is an increase of 3 percentage points compared to last year and 5 percentage points compared to 2021-2022.

In 2023-2024, 4% of the LAUSD student population were unhoused and 1% were in foster care. Of LAUSD students who visited the Wellness Centers/ SBHCs, 7% were unhoused and nearly 2% were in foster care, highlighting that Wellness Centers and SBHCs provide services to those who most need them.

Latines (74%) were the largest proportion of patients. This reflected LAUSD student demographics.

About 60% of all patients were female, and about 50% of patients under age 22 were female. (Note: only binary gender data available)

Patient Ages 2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

49%

28%

28%

27%

6-10-year-olds

22%

20%

11-13-year-olds

74% of patients are Latine

60% of patients are female

52%

55%

19%

14-19-year-olds

Patient Ethnicities

of student-age patients are 14-19 years of age

50%

Not Reported 5% Other 2% White 9%

55%

2023-2024

of patients under age 22 are female Latine 74%

Black 10% Asian 1%

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

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DENTAL Ten Wellness Centers and two SBHCs offering a full range of dental services saw 14,830 patients and had 39,099 visits in 2023-2024.

Compared to 2022-2023, the number of patients receiving dental services increased by 19%, and the number of patients 6-19 years of age increased by 12%.

During the 2023-2024 school year, there was a 2% increase in patients 6-19 years of age who received an initial periodic oral exam for new patients, compared to 2022-2023. In contrast, there was a 6% decrease in periodic oral exams for established patients compared to 2022-2023.

Dental exams help maintain oral health and identify problems such as gum disease and tooth decay.

The percentage of 6-19-year-olds with tooth decay has risen over the last four years to 11%. Nationally, 12% of children and adolescents aged 3 to 19 had untreated tooth decay in 2017-2020.1 Tooth decay is the most common chronic condition among children. Rates of tooth decay may increase as the number of oral health screenings and exams increases among Wellness Center and SBHC patients.

2023-2024 Patients

14,830 Patient Increase Year-Over-Year

19%

Visits

39,099 Patients 6-19 years of age

30%

Average Visits/ Patients

2.6

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Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Dental Exams + Caries Rates among Patients aged 6-19 Periodic Oral Exam Initial Comprehensive Oral Exam

50%

Caries/Tooth Decay

44% 40%

38%

38%

24% 21%

19%

21%

23%

17%

7%

9%

11%

3%

2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

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PREVENTATIVE CARE More than half (59%) of student-age patients received a well-child exam. Other preventative services received include the flu vaccine (13%) and other childhood vaccines (13%), such as MMR and TDAP. The percentage of patients ages 11-19 who received sexually transmitted infections testing, contraceptive management, and Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for substance use increased when compared to the prior years. However, the percentage of those who received the HPV vaccine decreased by 3%.

Preventative Care Services for Patients Ages 11-19 2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

19% 17% 14%

16% 13%

12%

8%

10%

12% 8%

9%

11%

9% 6% 4%

Chlamydia Test

HPV Vaccine

Gonorrhea Test

Contraceptive Management

SBIRT for Substance Use

The National School-Based Health Alliance identified a set of five National Performance Measures (NPMs) to document SBHC performance and focus on prevention. These standardized measures align with national child quality best practices and each measure targets a specific age group. NPMs are tracked by using medical codes across Wellness Centers and SBHCs. Over the past three years, there has been an increase in the number of patients who receive: 1) risk assessment; 2) well-child exam; 3) BMI screening; 4) chlamydia screening; and 5) depression screening.

National Performance Measures 2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

74%

79%

65% 54%

58%

44% 31% 7%

27%

12%

Risk Assessment (ages 0-21)

27%

19% 10% Well Child Exam (ages 0-21)

BMI Screening (ages 3-17)*

8%

Chlamydia Screening Depression Screening (ages 0-25) (ages 12-21)

*BMI Screening includes height, weight, and nutrition and physical activity counseling.

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13%

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Overweight and obesity rates have increased among all patients, with nearly half of all patients seen (46%) being diagnosed overweight or obese.

When compared to the previous two years, there has been a 7% increase in overweight and obesity rates among patients 6-19 years of age, and a 6% increase among patients ages 0-5.

Overweight and Obese Diagnosis among 6-19-year-olds 35%

37%

30%

2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

Children with obesity have an increased risk of developing asthma. In 2023-2024, 5% of 6-19-yearolds were diagnosed with asthma, while 50% of those who were diagnosed as overweight or obese had asthma. Children with these co-occurring conditions may be more likely to have poor asthma control and more frequent asthma exacerbations.

Asthma Diagnosis among 6-19-year-olds 50%

5% All Patients

Patients with Overweight/Obese Diagnosis

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH In 2023-2024, 7,477 patients visited a Wellness Center or SBHC for behavioral health-related diagnoses or services. This is a 24% increase compared to the prior year. This may be due to the opening of new Wellness Centers, the expansion of behavioral health services across Wellness Centers, and a growing need within the community.

2023-2024 Patients

About 11% of patients aged 6-19 received a behavioral health diagnosis and/or service in 2023-2024. The most prevalent diagnosis among patients ages 6-19 was other mental health disorders (37%) followed by anxiety, which included PTSD (35%). Other mental disorders, which included autism, disorders related to severe stress, schizophrenia, developmental disorders, and adjustment disorders, have increased since 2021-2022. The percentage of students diagnosed with anxiety or depression has somewhat decreased over time. Despite these changes, the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey report noted that the percentages of students who experienced “poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors” have continued to be high when compared to prior data and are of great concern.2

7,477 Patient Increase Year-Over-Year

24%

Wellness Centers and SBHCs offered behavioral health services and included assessment, psychological testing, and psychotherapy.

Assessment services include psychiatric diagnostic evaluation and comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation for mental health and substance use needs, while psychological testing refers primarily to developmental screening and testing. In 2023-2024, assessments decreased by 2% compared to the previous year, and psychological testing was provided for patients 6-19 years of age for the first time (previously it was provided primarily for children five years of age and under). In 2023-2024, psychotherapy was provided to more 6-19-year-olds who went to five sessions on average. This increase demonstrates one of the many ways that the Wellness Centers and SBHCs work to meet the needs of their patients.

Visits

15,319

Behavioral Health Services for 6-19-year-olds 2021-2022

21%

20%

2022-2023

27%

2023-2024

21%

20%

18% 15%

0% Assessment 9

0%

Psychological Testing

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Psychotherapy

Behavioral Health Diagnosis Among 6-19-year-olds

The most prevalent diagnosis among patients ages 6-19 was other mental health disorders (37%) followed

2021-2022

2023-2024

39%

Anxiety & PTSD

Attention Deficit Disorders

35% 35% 9% 12% 10% 29%

Depression

by anxiety, which included PTSD (35%).

2022-2023

23% 20%

Other Mental Health Disorders

31% 38% 37%

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH INTEGRATION BASED ON DATA

DENTAL

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Last year, only about one-third of patients received primary care and dental services. If providing full dental services, consider implementing dental-medical integration. This approach integrates dental screenings into primary care visits to ensure more patients receive care to improve their oral and overall health outcomes. Our brief, Integration of Primary Care with Dental Health, details how Maclay Wellness Centers implemented dental-medical integration with their pediatric patients.3

OBESITY

Obesity rates among children have consistently increased (30% in 2022, 35% in 2023, and 37% in 2024). To address this, consider creating partnerships with community organizations and school programs that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles. Consider replacing unhealthy beverages and snacks in school vending machines with more nutritious options. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation offers several resources to help schools and share with families.4

SCREENING

Continue improving screening efforts. Last year, well-child exams and SBHA performance measures for screenings increased, with the greatest increases for risk assessment and depression. Screening is critical for identifying students’ needs and providing or referring to appropriate services.

Best practices for screenings can include having reminders in patient records to screen using standardized tools.

MENTAL HEALTH

Promote mental health in schools and facilitate access to services. The Centers for Disease Control created an action guide with several strategies schools can use to continue supporting students’ mental health.5 Continue to work in partnership on school health integration to ensure referral processes and systems are in place to improve student access to services.

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

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DATA xCHANGE FUNDERS, 2013-2025 The Ahmanson Foundation Blue Shield of California Foundation California Health Care Foundation Annie E. Casey Foundation Cedars-Sinai Medical Center DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement Essential Access Health Max Factor Family Foundation

Harbor Community Benefit Foundation Kaiser Permanente W. M. Keck Foundation L.A. Care Health Plan Overdeck Family Foundation Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Sorenson Impact Center UniHealth Foundation

EXPERT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS Angeles Community Health Clinic Attendance Works Behavioral Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission CA Health and Wellness California School-Based Health Alliance Catalyst California Child and Family Guidance Center Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Community Clinic Association of L A County Eisner Health Gina Airey Consulting Great Public Schools Now Hawaii Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Health Net Independent Evaluation and Strategic Planning Consultant Inner City Struggle Kaiser Permanente

L.A. Care Health Plan Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Los Angeles County Office of Education L AUSD National School-Based Health Alliance Northeast Valley Health Corporation PatientToc, Learning Lab Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Prevention Institute St . John’s Community Health The California Endowment The Children’s Health Partnership The L.A. Trust Board To Help Everyone UCL A Pediatric Health Services Research UMMA Community Clinic UNITE-L A Venice Family Clinic Via Care

RESEARCH 1. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents with active and untreated tooth decay. https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/oral-conditions/reduceproportion-children-and-adolescents-active-and-untreated-tooth-decay-oh-02 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/index.html 3. The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health. (2024). Integration of Primary Care with Dental Health. https://static1.squarespace.com/ static/610c101c733e257fb271ce0f/t/675b4e663671af6788b33cfa/1734037095920/Maclay+Best+Practice.pdf 4. Alliance for a Healthier Generation https://www.healthiergeneration.org/ 5. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S.). Division of Adolescent and School Health. 2023).

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools : An Action Guide for School and District Leaders

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Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

DATA xCHANGE CLINIC PARTNERS

DATA xCHANGE PARTICIPATING CLINICS Carson High School Crenshaw High School Elizabeth Learning Center Fremont High School Garfield High School Hollywood High School Hyde Park Early Education Center Jefferson High School Jordan High School Lincoln High School

Locke Early Education Center Maclay Middle School Manual Arts High School Maywood Center for Enriched Studies (MaCES) Mendez High School Roosevelt High School San Fernando Teen Health Center Santee Education Complex Sun Valley Health Center Washington Prep High School

THANK YOU! To all the healthcare providers, educators, and agencies working together to improve student health and school-based healthcare in Los Angeles.

Impact Report 2025 | Data xChange | The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health

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For more information, please contact: Maryjane Puffer, Executive Director Maryjane@thelatrust.org