Healing California provides low-barrier, comprehensive dental and vision care services at no cost to individuals who would otherwise not have access to quality care. By partnering with other community and nonprofit organizations and a vast network of volunteer licensed health care professionals, we serve patients at community health clinics, Veteran Stand Downs and other locations throughout LA County. We remove as many barriers as possible to patients receiving care. We do not require identification or proof of income or citizenship; we limit paperwork to the minimum necessary; we do not charge for our services; we provide language interpretation when possible. Above all, we treat our patients with dignity and respect.

As a LA2050 Grantee, Healing California proposed and successfully achieved continued expansion of our program, serving more Los Angeles residents thereby improving health outcomes for more Angelenos.

During the grant year, in Los Angeles County, Healing California:

• Conducted nine (9) clinics offering free dental and vision services to all in need.
• Saw and treated 516 vision patients.
• Provided $142,568 worth of free vision services.
• Saw and treated 485 dental patients.
• Provided $196,981 worth of free dental services.
• Welcomed 262 volunteers including medical professionals and others.

Overall, Healing California’s service numbers all around the state have grown by 15 percent.

As an LA2050 Grantee last year, Healing California did specifically propose to focus on expanding our service to individuals experiencing homelessness in California, suggesting that we could serve 500 individuals with housing challenges. We also proposed to expand the number of partners with whom we work who work directly with people experiencing homelessness.

One of our key partners in this arena continues to be the Downtown Women’s Center. As part of our work with DWC, we have mutually agreed to double the number of clinics and clinic days we work with their population. We continue to partner with Care Harbor whose focus is also on health care for the unhoused. Through those two partners we know we served 268 people experiencing homelessness.

Our other seven clinics in LA County had a much broader reach. Our partnership with the Santa Clarita Coalition was intended to focus on unhoused children and their families from the local school district. However, publicity efforts by the partner attracted a much more diverse demographic.

A key challenge has been that many individuals experiencing homelessness are unwilling to disclose that information either out of fear or shame. We invite people to let us know their housing status but our focus on creating a stress free and welcoming environment takes precedence. If they are reluctant, we do not push. Moving forward we will spend time on additional training for staff and volunteers on tools and techniques for asking difficult questions and explaining the need for transparency.

We administered qualitative assessments to all volunteers and invited patients to fill out surveys as well. Qualitative assessments include general evaluations to measure program effectiveness in addressing patient needs. Findings of these assessments are discussed in weekly staff meetings and are used to continually evolve and improve service delivery.

That focus on respect and genuine interaction continues to be meaningful for our patients. After our clinic with DWC in August, one patient left us the following note: “Thank you for all that you do. Your service is warm, efficient, and truly awesome. It helped me breakthrough my denial so I can now move forward toward healing my eyes… [I also] departed the dental chair feeling happy and having a beautiful smile to flash. Thank you again for the healing difference you make on the world.”

We also conducted focused follow-up discussions with partner agencies to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations, analyze the overall success of each event, and determine additional needs and areas for improvement. Quantitative measures to assess the impact of services at each clinic and service site include tracking the number of patients served, the dollar value of services provided per patient and per clinic, and the number of prescription glasses produced. We are committed to the highest standard of care and consult the American Dental Association and California Optometric Association for industry best practices and service rates.

Healing California did experience some challenges during the grant year. Chief amongst these was losing the organization’s executive director who was forced to step down due to health concerns. Like many small organizations, Healing California has become familiar with unexpected changes like this since the start of the COVID pandemic. The Board of Directors took into account the stability of the organization and the continuity of care delivery and chose to invest in an internal candidate, Michael Allen, who has fully embraced his role of emerging leader. His knowledge of the program along with his interest in taking Healing California to the next stage in terms of responsible growth and public profile is opening many creative conversations and considerations amongst the staff and Board.

Also, during the grant year, Healing California was able to hire its first full-time Director of Fundraising and Engagement, Erica Blodgett. Her 15+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and organizational development and management are broadening the organization’s funder portfolio and strategic communications efforts.

Healing California is moving ahead into 2024 with continued dedication to providing all those in need with the dental and vision care they cannot access. We are ending the 2023 calendar year with a new Los Angeles County partner, the Armenian American Medical Society. The calendar of clinics for next year is filling up fast. Many partners have asked us to return again, some even adding additional dates. We do have room for a few more new clinics and continue to be open to conversations with other LA2050 grantees about new events and services.