IMPACT Report 2025
Highlighting SchoolBased Health Centers and Wellness Centers at LAUSD
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 MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARYJANE PUFFER
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,
The 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
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
Patient Ethnicities
2023-2024
74% of patients are Latine 60% of patients are female 55% of student-age patients are 14-19 years of age 50% of patients under age 22 are female
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
Dental Exams + Caries Rates among Patients aged 6-19
Periodic Oral Exam
Initial Comprehensive Oral Exam Caries/Tooth Decay
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
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
*BMI Screening includes height, weight, and nutrition and physical activity counseling.
Chlamydia Test HPV Vaccine
Gonorrhea Test Contraceptive Management
SBIRT for Substance Use
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
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
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.
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
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.
2023-2024
Patients
7,477 Patient Increase Year-Over-Year
24% Visits
15,319
Behavioral Health Services for 6-19-year-olds
2023-2024 2021-2022 2022-2023
The most prevalent diagnosis among patients ages 6-19 was other mental health disorders (37%) followed by anxiety, which included PTSD (35%).
Behavioral Health Diagnosis Among 6-19-year-olds 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH INTEGRATION BASED ON DATA
DENTAL
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.
DATA x CHANGE 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 LA 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
RESEARCH
L.A. Care Health Plan
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Los Angeles County Office of Education
LAUSD
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
UCLA Pediatric Health Services Research
UMMA Community Clinic
UNITE-LA
Venice Family Clinic
Via Care
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
DATA x CHANGE CLINIC PARTNERS
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
