A $412,000 grant will be used to expand a student health and leadership program into three Compton Unified School District campuses and train 60 students over two school years, officials announced today.
The grant from Health Net to the Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health will bring the Wellness Youth Advocate program to Compton High School, Dominguez High School and Whaley Middle School.
Officials said students selected for the program will receive training in leadership, health education, mental health awareness and navigating health care services. They will then provide peer-to-peer health education and help connect eligible students with health-related services.
The grant will support the recruitment and training of 60 student advocates over two school years, according to the organizations.
“Every student deserves access to the resources and support they need to be healthy, succeed in school and reach their full potential,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said in a statement. “The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health has long been a champion for student wellbeing, and Health Net’s investment will help expand opportunities for young people in Compton to learn about their health, support their peers and access critical services.”
The Wellness Youth Advocate program currently has more than 100 student advocates at 12 schools across Los Angeles County and reaches more than 20,000 students through peer led health education campaigns, according to the organizations.
The expansion will also include annual Youth-to-Youth Health Summits involving students from across Los Angeles County and evaluations of health literacy, leadership development, advocacy skills and access to care.
“By expanding the Wellness Youth Advocate program into Compton Unified School District, we can empower more students to become leaders, strengthen peer support networks and help connect youth to the care and resources they need to succeed,” said Sarah Rodman, executive director of the Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health.
