The HESD governing board ratified an amended and restated memorandum of understanding with the Ventura County Medical Managed Care Commission and Gold Coast Health Plan to place a Gold Coast care ambassador at district school wellness centers.

The program, introduced by Simone Gossamasquez, senior director of student support services, is intended to link families and students to health-care and community resources at three pilot sites. Gossamasquez said the ambassador will work on-site two days a week at Blackstock, two days at E.O. Green and on Fridays at Haycox Elementary (as listed in the MOU) to help with enrollment, referrals and navigation of covered services, including mental health, dental and vision care.

Why it matters: board members were told the ambassador is designed to reduce barriers that affect students’ ability to learn by connecting families quickly to needed services. Gossamasquez cited one example from last school year in which “over a 100 students needed reading glasses,” saying the ambassador will help arrange appointments and transportation and coordinate with school staff.

Program details and limits: Alejandra Solis, introduced at the meeting as a Gold Coast Health Plan member care ambassador, said she has worked for Gold Coast for about two years and lives in the community. Gossamasquez said the ambassador will meet with parents or guardians (not just students), can provide one-time referrals to nonmembers, and may attend school assist-team meetings or IEP meetings if invited by staff. She said personal medical information will be handled by medical providers when registration or intake occurs.

Board discussion focused on scope and expansion. A board member asked why only three schools were included; staff said this is a trial program and Gold Coast has agreed to the initial sites because of prior wellness-center work and the concentration of Gold Coast members at those schools. Staff said Gold Coast would consider expanding the service if the pilot is successful.

Action: Motion by Ms. Gomez, second by Ms. Bruno to ratify the amended and restated memorandum of understanding between the Ventura County Medical Managed Care Commission, Gold Coast Health Plan and HESD. Roll call votes recorded in the meeting transcript show Bruno: yes; Gomez: yes; Miss Sao Pablo: yes; Dr. Ruiz: yes; the motion passed.

The MOU does not list a district funding commitment in the discussion recorded at the meeting; staff described the arrangement as a partnership and did not specify long-term staffing or budget obligations during the presentation. Gold Coast and district staff said the program’s schedule and site list could expand if the pilot demonstrates need and capacity.

Board members and staff said they will notify parents that referrals and information-sharing follow standard medical intake procedures and that the ambassador will work directly with guardians when making referrals.

The board ratified the agreement at the meeting and the district will proceed with the pilot placement as described in the MOU.