Three-year initiative supports mental and physical health for students, families, and staff after the Eaton Fire
Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will preserve critical trauma-responsive mental and physical health services for PUSD students in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, thanks to a $5 million multiyear grant from Kaiser Permanente through the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF). The grant will help sustain safe, trauma-responsive support throughout PUSD by ensuring that trained staff have the resources and professional learning to support student wellbeing.
“Our students, families, and staff are still recovering from the Eaton Fire, and this grant from Kaiser Permanente and our partnership with the Pasadena Educational Foundation will help deepen and sustain the work we’ve been doing to support students’ social, emotional, and physical health,” said Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, PUSD Superintendent. “Expanded mental health services at schools will provide enhanced trauma-responsive support so that every student feels cared for and able to learn.”
Over the next three years, the grant will amplify PUSD’s Student Wellness and Support Services and health programs, and support the hiring of clinical health, restorative practices, community, and support staff, significantly increasing access to mental and physical health care at PUSD schools. To date, the district has hired two clinical social workers and a restorative practices liaison who will work with students and provide training in peer mediation, conflict resolution, and community circles. PUSD is also in the process of hiring additional positions to further deepen student support services.
The grant also funds expanded hours at the PUSD Health Clinic, supports trauma-informed professional development for district employees, provides new confidential wellness spaces, equipment, and materials for school sites, and strengthens restorative practices and crisis-response across the district. To ensure continuity of support for participating students, the grant funds the hiring of five seasonal Response to Intervention teachers for the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s Summer Enrichment Programs.
“Kaiser Permanente’s health mission and PUSD’s educational mission are connected because education is so important to lifelong health,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii, Health Plan and Hospitals. “The Eaton Fire was a collective trauma for our communities, and severely impacted schools, students and their families. Trauma disrupts learning, relationships, and a child’s sense of possibility. With this grant, we’re investing in the well-being of our children so they can overcome challenges, learn, and succeed.”
By supporting this initiative, Kaiser Permanente is advancing its commitment to community health and resilience, helping children and families heal from trauma, and strengthening systems that promote emotional well-being throughout the Pasadena Unified community.
The Pasadena Educational Foundation is the grant recipient and will manage the fund in close coordination with PUSD.
“PEF and PUSD’s Student Wellness and Support Services team worked hand in hand on this grant, designing a plan that meets the district’s goals and aligns with Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to community health,” said Dr. Patrick Conyers, Executive Director of the Pasadena Educational Foundation. “This partnership ensures that students and families have access to coordinated, compassionate support, both inside the classroom and beyond it.”
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to KP.org.
About the Pasadena Educational Foundation
Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for public education, engages the community, and develops resources to support excellent education for every Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) student. Whether it be through the arts, music, health centers, gardens, or STEM programs they support, PEF is dedicated to achieving excellence and equity in all PUSD schools. www.pased.org
About the Pasadena Unified School District
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) serves preK-12 grade students in a 76-square-mile area that includes the Cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, the Town of Altadena, and unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County. With a commitment to academic excellence and cultural responsiveness, PUSD prepares students for success in an ever-evolving world. For more information about the Pasadena Unified School District, visit www.pusd.us.
