February 16, 1999
Mr. Mark Finucane, Director
Department of Health Services
313 North Figueroa Street, Room 939
Los Angeles, California 90012Dear Mark:
The purpose of this letter is to request you support in the development of a school based health clinic at the Vaughn Learning Center (VLC) in Pacoima, linked to Olive View Medical Center and Valley Care.
Vaughn Learning Center is in Pacoima and is a feeder to MacClay Middle School and San Fernando High School.
According the Dr. Yvonne Chan, VLC Principal, the school became a charter school in 1993 and operates as a quasi-independent entity of L.A. Unified School District. Before becoming a charter school, there were numerous problems; vandalism, poor employee morale, poor performing students, high turnover, etc.
Since becoming a charter school, Dr. Chan has involved the community in the daily administration of the school, and has had tremendous success in turning the school around. She has raised a significant amount of funding for new facilities, arranged teaching linkages with universities, is creating a science lab, computer lab, new library, child care center, special education and other programs. She has converted part of her administration building into a community services center, has a clothing closet, provides a space for an asthma outreach program, parent education, and offers other services.
The First Lady Hillary Clinton has visited VLC, and subsequently Dr. Chan and several community members few to Washington D.C. for a visit with the President.
Dr. Chan says her highest priority now is the development of a school based clinic. There are 1200 students at the school, 100% eligible for school lunch. About a third are covered by Medi-Cal for health care. She is offering space and start-up funds to get a school based clinic off the ground. Given the national prominence of the school, it would be a good candidate for the development of a model school-based clinic.
I would appreciate your support of Olive View/Valley Care=s partnership with the Vaughn Learning Center to assess the feasibility of implementing a school based clinic at the Center by July 1, 1999. Please report back to me in 30 days with your findings and recommendations regarding implementation. Your staff may call Ron Hansen if they have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
Zev Yaroslavsky
ZEV YAROSLAVSKY
Supervisor, Third Districtc: Dr. Yvonne Chan
Mr. Douglas Bagley
Ms. Carolyn Rhee
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