The Pasadena Unified School District Wednesday announced a $5 million grant to expand mental and physical health services for students and staff still recovering from the Eaton Fire.
The funding, provided by Kaiser Permanente through the Pasadena Educational Foundation, will support a three-year initiative focused on trauma-responsive care across the district, according to the district.
District officials said the program will increase access to counseling and healthcare services to better support students affected by the wildfire.
“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,” Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said in a statement. “Expanded mental health services at schools will provide enhanced trauma-responsive support so that every student feels cared for and able to learn.”
The initiative includes hiring clinical and support staff, expanding services at school health clinics and creating additional wellness spaces on campuses. It will also fund professional development and summer programs aimed at maintaining support for students, officials said.
“The Eaton Fire was a collective trauma for our communities, and severely impacted schools, students and their families,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, regional president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii. “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.”
The Pasadena Educational Foundation will manage the grant in coordination with the district.
Foundation officials said the partnership is designed to ensure students and families have access to coordinated support both in and outside the classroom.
The Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres, killed 19 people, and destroyed nearly 7,000 homes and businesses.