CalOptima, in collaboration with OCDE, recently organized its annual Back-to-School Health and Wellness Fair at Columbus Tustin Park, aiming to provide students with essential school supplies and services as they gear up for the new academic year.
What Supplies Were Distributed?
The event was a resounding success, distributing a wealth of supplies including 1,500 backpacks, 500 bike helmets, over 4,500 pairs of shoes, 1,000 food boxes, and 106 cases of diapers. In addition, attendees benefited from services such as haircuts, sports physicals, and vision and dental screenings. With more than 5,000 participants—setting a record for CalOptima Health-hosted events—every available supply found a new home by the end of the day.
What Services Were Offered?
Parents had the chance to enroll in Medi-Cal for affordable health insurance and CalFresh for financial assistance to purchase nutritious food. Resources addressing mental health and support for individuals with disabilities were also provided.
Community Engagement
After gathering supplies and utilizing various services, families explored the park and visited numerous informational booths from community organizations across Orange County, including the Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove and the Orange County Transportation Authority. Four elected officials engaged with attendees, including U.S. Congressmen Correa, U.S. Congresswoman Kim, CA Assemblywoman Petri-Norris, and OC Supervisor Sarmiento.
Educational Resources
Representatives from OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors environmental education program, Tobacco-Use Education Prevention program, and Homeless Outreach Promoting Educational Success (HOPES) Collaborative were present, offering valuable resources. The department expressed its appreciation for the event and the collaborative efforts that made it a success.
What Did the Organizers Say?
“We are grateful for this county-wide collaboration to support the health and well-being of our students and families, and we look forward to seeing all our students show up prepared on the first day of school,” stated Janis Price, OCDE’s family and community engagement coordinator.
Looking Ahead
CalOptima and OCDE aspire to continue making a positive impact on students for years to come.
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