Safe Schools Honors Yana Garcia at LA Forum
California Safe Schools marked its 28th year of advocacy at a Los Angeles forum on environmental enforcement and health.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Awards
California Safe Schools held its annual "Your Life Is Now" Environmental Enforcement and Environmental Health Forum on November 3, 2026, at The California Endowment's Center for Healthy Communities in downtown Los Angeles. The organization presented its 2026 Champion for Change Award to California Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia.
Why it matters
The forum brought together government, environmental leadership, education, and community advocates in Los Angeles to address enforcement, public health, and environmental justice concerns. It gave residents a direct channel to regulatory officials on questions about textiles, artificial turf, and potential contaminant exposure.
The forum drew hundreds of guests and featured two expert panels covering environmental enforcement, public health, regulatory oversight, and environmental justice. Attendees could bring items for X-ray fluorescence screening for harmful elements such as lead, demonstrated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control; no screening results were reported.
The players
California Safe Schools
A California advocacy organization focused on environmental health and safety in schools and communities, founded in 1998.
Yana Garcia
California Secretary for Environmental Protection, who received the 2026 Champion for Change Award.
Katherine Butler
Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, who received commendations at the forum.
The details
Awards were presented to Yana Garcia, Monsignor John Moretta, Sylvia Betancourt, Bruce Reznik, Devon Jasiukonis, Precious Bravo-Aceves, and Mickey Hades Ramirez. Katherine Butler, Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, received commendations from State Senator Henry Stern and Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: California Safe Schools holds its 28th anniversary forum in Los Angeles.
1998: California Safe Schools is founded.
Community Lens
The forum's focus on screening consumer items for lead connects to the Department of Toxic Substances Control's role in regulating hazardous materials in California. The event framed these enforcement efforts as a community concern rather than purely a regulatory one.
Los Angeles residents with concerns about lead or other contaminants in household textiles, toys, or turf can bring items to the department's screening demonstrations at future events. The forum's audience questions show that artificial turf and textile exposure are active concerns for local families.
The takeaway
Residents who want to reduce household exposure to lead and other contaminants can ask local schools and regulators about testing options and enforcement updates. Staying engaged with organizations like California Safe Schools is one practical way to follow these issues.
Further reading
Explore more Awards coverage from Los Angeles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Item.
