The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and its coalition of partners announced the opening of the Student Wellbeing Centers (SWBCs) on school campuses in 2019. The SWBC program aims to empower students to make informed decisions that promote lifelong health and wellbeing for themselves and their communities.   

 

Student Wellbeing Centers provide a youth-centered approach to substance use prevention and overall wellness education to support students throughout adolescence.  Operated by Public Health, the SWBCs are staffed by trained Youth Educators who foster safe, supportive spaces. They aim to prevent substance use disorders by focusing on the following areas of intervention: emotional wellbeing, general health education and risk reduction, reproductive health education, and leadership development. 

 

These interventions are grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles, a framework emphasizing empowering students to control their health, wellbeing, and personal growth. By engaging youth and leveraging a strengths-based approach, these interventions help students build resilience, enabling them to prevent or delay substance use and reduce substance-related risks. 

 

SWBCs are designed to be safe, accessible environments on school campuses where students can receive guidance, resources, and education to support their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.  All services are free.