Small but Mighty: EQuIP-LA Proves What’s Possible

With support from the California Health Care Foundation, small independent practices
across Los Angeles are transforming care.

Two years ago, EQuIP-LA, supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF),
asked a simple but powerful question: What would happen if we invested in small, independent
practices across LA County—the clinics many people overlook, but which serve millions of
Californians?

EQuIP-LA is ultimately a simple idea: help small, community-based practices improve on the
twin goals of better equity and better clinical care.

With modest grants, hands-on coaching, and better data and quality-improvement tools, the
results are in—and they’re remarkable. Nearly every single participating practice improved
clinical care in at least one key measure. These practices are small, but mighty.

Investing in the trusted front lines

In Los Angeles County, small independent practices are often the first—and sometimes only—point of care for families in under-resourced and multilingual communities. They’re the doctors and clinics patients know and trust, yet, for the most part, doctors and clinics are not active in larger reform and investment efforts.

CHCF’s investment through EQuIP-LA set out to change that. Over two years, the initiative—facilitated by local partners and evaluated by the Center for Community Health and
Evaluation (CCHE)—worked with more than 30 small practices serving tens of thousands of
Medi-Cal patients. Together, they strengthened infrastructure, improved data use, and embedded equity into daily practice.

Two years later, 30 out of 31 clinics made measurable gains in care for Medi-Cal enrollees—a rare bit of good news in a tough year.

Building capacity that lasts

The EQuIP-LA model offered practical, relationship-based support: one-on-one coaching, peer
learning, and performance data that helped practices identify gaps and test minor, measurable
improvements. Clinics reported stronger teamwork, new quality-improvement systems, and
sustainable data-tracking tools that will continue driving progress long after the project ends.

Even more important, the model worked—small investments, steady coaching, and better data
and equity-centered QI proved that even small practices can have a significant impact.
“When small practices are supported, entire communities benefit,” one participant shared. “We
can deliver better care for our patients—and we’re proud of that.”

A powerful proof of concept

For Community Partners, which served as the intermediary project partner and backbone
organization for EQuIP-LA, the initiative exemplifies how strategic collaboration and trusted
relationships can fuel systems-level change.

“EQuIP-LA shows what’s possible when funders, evaluators, and community-based partners
align around shared values of equity and trust,” said Phyllis Owens, Vice President of
Intermediary and Strategic Partnerships at Community Partners. “These small,
independent practices are often the heartbeat of their communities. With the right support, they
deliver impact that reaches far beyond their walls.”

By investing in small practices—the backbone of California’s safety-net system—CHCF and its
partners have demonstrated that scalable impact doesn’t always start big.

Read the EQuIP-LA Final Report here.
Learn more about California Health Care Foundation