Jan 31, 2011

The California Endowment Awards MLA Partner Schools $310,716 to Improve Health Outcomes in LA’s Promise Neighborhood

The California Endowment has awarded MLA Partner Schools (MLA) $310,716 over two years to improve the health outcomes for thousands of children living in LA’s Promise Neighborhood. This grant is a part of the California Endowment’s 10-year strategic direction: Building Healthy Communities. The goal is to support the development of communities where kids and youth are healthy, safe and ready to learn.

Nearly 50% of the children who live within LA’s Promise Neighborhood are obese or close to it. To ensure that every child has access to adequate health care, MLA, St. John’s Well Child and Family Center and LAUSD are constructing a 1,900 square foot clinic at Manual Arts High School, which will provide students and families with comprehensive medical and dental services. Through the California Endowment grant, MLA and St. Johns will integrate health care into the school day and every ninth grade student at Manual Arts will receive a free health screening. Additionally, MLA will train students as health advocates, work with teachers to strengthen and improve the health curriculum and provide intensive follow up services for students with poor health.