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| Shannon Haber, 213-241-6766 | October 10, 2019 |
Los Angeles Unified officials, families and community partners celebrated the official opening today of the
The 1,930-square-foot facility on the Telfair Avenue Elementary School campus is staffed by nurse-practitioners, medical assistants, a mental health counselor and an optometrist, who will provide an estimated 2,500 exams and other services each year to Telfair students and their siblings under age 18.
“Our schools are so much more than places for learning – they are also the hub of our neighborhoods,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “With the opening of the expanded Telfair Wellness Center, we are able to provide critical health services to our students, families and the broader community. These are the kinds of supports that, with sufficient funding from the state, I’d want to see throughout my district.”
Los Angeles Unified has invested nearly $100 million in bond funds to establish or expand 26 school-based wellness centers and health clinics.
“Healthy children come to school ready to learn,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “Our new wellness center at Telfair will both support and encourage student success and help students and families in Pacoima have access to the care they need.”
“The opening of a wellness center at Telfair will provide the greater school community with easy access, right in the neighborhood, to critical wellness services,” Local District Northeast Superintendent Linda Del Cueto said. “We are excited about providing our students and families with resources as healthy bodies and minds directly impact a positive learning environment.”
“The wellness center is a wonderful gift to Telfair families,” Principal Eduardo Carrillo said. “It will offer access to medical and mental health services within walking distance, helping to keep our children healthy and in the classroom where they belong. This is a win-win for everyone because this will strengthen the community.”