Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo Presents $2 Million in State Funding to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for Pediatric Research and Clinical Expansion

LOS ANGELES - Today, Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo presented a $2 million check to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) as a part of state support to further healthcare research and significantly expand its Division of Young Adult and Adolescent Medicine (DAYAM).

DAYAM at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) addresses the physical, emotional, and social needs of individuals aged 12 to 25. CHLA's adolescent medicine specialists and an interdisciplinary team provide services including reproductive health, support for homeless youth, substance abuse treatment, HIV and STI testing, and care for LGBTQ youth. This state budget allocation will be directed to aid over 8,500 young adults between the ages of 12 and 25 who seek support annually from DAYAM, considering over 70% of these patients receive government-assisted insurance.

"Today marks a monumental stride forward in our commitment to championing the health and well-being of adolescents and young people in Los Angeles. This $2 million investment in Children’s Hospital Division of Young Adult and Adolescent Medicine is an investment in the future of our community, a testament to our unwavering belief in the power of medical research, and a pledge to provide young people with the best health services available,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo. “At the heart of this initiative is our shared goal with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: to support families, create hope, foster positive youth development, and build healthier communities and expand support for families most in need, especially Latino and all immigrant households with limited resources and language barriers. Together, we will continue to make Los Angeles a place where every young person can thrive and live a healthy life.”

With help of the funding, CHLA's DAYAM facility aims to better serve families from under-resourced Los Angeles communities, notably the immigrant and Latino sectors. The space offers seven youth-specific exam rooms, five conference rooms for CHLA-sponsored community and educational events, and a dedicated youth waiting area.

“At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, we are driven by a passion for research and innovation that will advance the standards of pediatric care and the world-class expertise we provide to the diverse patient populations we serve. Not only will this crucial funding aid in the relocation and expansion of clinical space in our Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, but it will also help to facilitate the growth of several research programs aimed to promote health and improve health care for Latino families,” says Paul S. Viviano, President and Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo as we work to create hope and build healthier futures for even more adolescents, young adults and their families in District 52 and beyond.”

The funding will also support the growth of various research programs within CHLA, such as the Community, Health Outcomes & Intervention Research (CHOIR), the Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program (DNNP), and the Hispanic Education and Research Team (HEART) project. These research initiatives aim to promote health, improve healthcare for children, youth, and families, and determine priorities for services provided to Latino families.

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Assemblywoman Carrillo was elected to serve in the State Assembly in December 2017. She represents the 52nd Assembly District, which includes East Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, and South Glendale. She serves as the Chair of the Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, in addition to the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Health, Housing and Community Development, Utilities and Energy, Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation, and the Joint Committees on Legislative Budget, and Climate Change Policies. She also serves as the Chair of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities, Vice Chair of the Legislative Progressive Caucus, Commissioner for the California Film Commission, Commissioner for the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, and Member of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Board.