Council approves Health on Wheels mobile clinic agreement to continue free student health services

The Norwalk City Council on June 16 approved agreements to continue the Health on Wheels mobile medical program that provides basic health services to school‑aged children in the Norwalk‑La Mirada Unified School District.

Gabriela Regalado of the city presented the program summary. The Health on Wheels program, operated in partnership with Norwalk‑La Mirada Unified School District and California State University Long Beach, provides free primary care services such as physical exams, immunizations and treatment for minor acute illnesses. Regalado said the program will be renewed for a three‑year term from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 with two automatic one‑year renewals thereafter. The agreement includes a storage arrangement for the mobile unit at the Norwalk City Yard, 13629 San Antonio Drive; a separate storage agreement (vehicle storage) was described for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.

Regalado said the program served 448 visits from August through March (roughly 40 visits per month), with 58% of patients uninsured and 41% on Medi‑Cal. Staff said the program partners supply clinical materials and that the city provides storage, minimal utilities, and minor operational support such as a phone line and device access. Council members said the program is a valuable preventive health service for children lacking access to care.

Council approved the agreements by roll call vote and authorized the city manager to execute the agreements and budgeted amendments within the manager’s authority.

Why this matters: The program provides free healthcare access to uninsured and Medi‑Cal‑covered children in the district and complements the city’s other children’s health programs, such as the dental program.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the agreements and continue scheduling visits at district schools; staff also said they will ensure indemnity and contracting details are in agreement attachments.