SANTA ANA : Schools Will Expand Health Plan for Poor
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The governing board of the Santa Ana Unified School District narrowly agreed to expand a controversial health program designed for low-income children who might otherwise not receive medical care.
The Board of Education expanded the Healthy Tomorrows program Tuesday night on a 3-2 vote. Audrey Yamagata-Noji, Robert W. Balen and Sal Mendoza voted in favor, and Tom Chaffee and Rosemarie Avila opposed the move.
“I feel this program is beyond reproach. This is unique and it’s a direct benefit to a lot of children and families,” Balen said.
The program serves Garfield, Heninger, Kennedy, Remington and Roosevelt elementary schools. The board agreed to expand services to five other elementary schools to be named later, and begin serving children ages 3 to 5 who are siblings of those already in the program.
Avila and Chaffee said they opposed providing health care in the schools and said that the district should not become “the hub of social services” for the community.
The program has provided $50,000 worth of dental services to children immunized 1,081 students and diagnosed 301 cases of anemia, officials said. The money comes from state grants and company donations.
During the meeting, about two dozen parents, teachers and community members applauded the program. No one from the public spoke against it.
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