#United States #Health Net #Compton #Wellness Youth Advocates

Health Net's Initiative to Empower Students in Compton

In a pivotal move to invest in the future of youth in Compton, California, Health Net has announced a significant grant of $412,000 aimed at bolstering the health and leadership skills of local students. This funding will enhance the Wellness Youth Advocate (WYA) program, enabling its expansion into the Compton Unified School District. With this initiative, Health Net aims to equip sixty selected students from Compton High School, Dominguez High School, and Whaley Middle School with crucial skills and resources needed for effective peer health advocacy.

The details of the grant were shared in a press release on August 11, 2026, where Health Net emphasized its commitment to community health education. The expansion of the WYA program focuses not only on health advocacy but also cultivates leadership among young individuals. Currently, the program is operational in 12 schools across Los Angeles County, where over 100 student advocates are already engaged in peer-to-peer health education, reaching more than 20,000 students.

Dorothy Seleski, President of Medi-Cal at Health Net, highlighted the importance of empowering young people. “Young people understand the challenges facing their communities because they live them every day. When we invest in their leadership, we create opportunities for students to share their experiences, support one another, and help shape healthier futures for themselves and their peers,” she stated. This perspective underscores the importance of involvement and investment in youth-led initiatives as a strategy for community health improvement.

The training provided through this program will encompass several critical areas including health education, mental health awareness, and assistance with navigating healthcare services. This holistic approach ensures that not only will the student advocates learn about their health, but they will also be well-equipped to guide their peers through similar challenges. An additional benefit includes connecting eligible students with Enhanced Care Management (ECM) services and other vital health resources.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell expressed the necessity of accessible resources for students, acknowledging the role of The Los Angeles Trust for Children's Health in this venture. She stated, “Every student deserves access to the resources and support they need to be healthy, succeed in school and reach their full potential.” This sentiment reflects a broader vision in which community health is synergistic with educational success.

Furthermore, with this initiative, Health Net aims to create a supportive network by recruiting and training 60 student Wellness Youth Advocates over a period of two school years. These advocates will also have the opportunity to participate in annual Youth-to-Youth Health Summits, providing an additional platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, further enhancing their advocacy skills.

Sarah Rodman, Executive Director at The LA Trust for Children's Health, expressed gratitude towards Health Net for their partnership. “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,” she stated. This highlights how collaborative efforts can create lasting impacts on communities.

Health Net's investment of over $284 million in community-based initiatives over the past five years demonstrates a long-term commitment to addressing social determinants of health and enhancing access to care across the state. Their current funding for the WYA program is a continuation of these efforts, reinforcing the idea that empowering youth in underserved communities is essential for developing healthier futures.

In closing, this program's expansion into the Compton Unified School District is a significant step toward creating better health outcomes for youth in the area. By fostering leadership skills and providing essential resources, Health Net is paving the way for the next generation of health advocates who are well-equipped to influence positive change in their communities.