L.A. Care Health Plan Supports Program to Train Community Advocates

Joy Ellington, L.A. Care Emerging Markets Manager Community Resource Center Zumba Instructor

It’s Bigger Than Us (IBTU), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting communities in South Los Angeles, invited L.A. Care Health Plan to present at its Community Builder parent program. The 8-week program, which launched in early April, includes educational workshops and guest speakers that aim to inspire participants to participate in community-building initiatives. The program aims to cultivate parent leaders who can serve as advocates for South L.A. students at community meetings and beyond. The organization also wants to inspire parental involvement in their child’s education.

L.A. Care had three different departments at yesterday’s session. Joy Ellington, L.A. Care’s Emerging Markets Program Manager, explained the importance of preventive care for parents and children. She described the health plan’s four lines of business, explaining how health coverage is critical to maintain overall health and well-being. She also explained L.A. Care’s desire to help people understand the benefits they can access with each plan.

Tyonna Baker and Martin Vicente, two Field Specialists in L.A. Care’s Community Outreach & Engagement department, described the various ways that members can get involved and give input on health plan operations. Baker described the Community Advisory Groups that provide input directly to the Board of Governors. She also talked about the community roundtables that are held periodically on topics of great interest to members and the community.

Irene Palomar, a representative of the L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center in Lynwood, was on hand to talk about the wide variety of services offered at the network of Community Resource Centers. One of the center vendors was on hand to lead a brief Zumba session for everyone in attendance. There are currently 12 centers, with plans for two more to open in the coming months. Each center offers health and wellness classes and social service support aimed at helping visitors stay active, healthy, and informed. 
L.A. Care was proud to partner with It’s Bigger Than Us, in an effort to help individuals and communities reach their full potential.