Kaiser Permanente Supports Mental Wellness In Napa Schools

Kaiser Permanente is partnering with the Napa Valley Education Foundation to support the mental health of students, teachers and staff through grant support for wellness programs at Napa area schools.

A $100,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente will support the expansion of the Napa Valley Wellness Center Initiative, establishing formal wellness programs at Napa and Vintage high schools. The wellness programs will serve nearly 4,000 students with on-campus mental health services and provide training in social-emotional learning to teachers, counselors, and classified staff at school sites with existing wellness programs.

“Napa Valley Education Foundation is thrilled to partner with Kaiser Permanente to expand mental health and wellness services on high school campuses for our Napa and Vintage High students by providing trainings, youth leadership and student outreach,” said Jennifer Stewart, MPA, Executive Director of the Napa Valley Education Foundation. “This support from Kaiser Permanente could not come at a better time. The outreach and on-site services will share the important message with students that mental health is an important component of their overall health.”

In 2015, Kaiser Permanente provided funding to establish the initial wellness programs. The model proved successful with district data showing 69% of students who received services demonstrated an improvement in social-emotional functioning. According to the Napa Valley Education Foundation, schools with wellness programs have also demonstrated a 41% decrease in reports of bullying and 61% reduction in student suspensions.

The formal wellness programs will provide training for teachers and staff on how to identify and refer students to wellness services and how to build referrals into parent and family conferences. Counselors and social workers also will provide students with evidence-based self-assessment questionnaires, so students can self-assess their mental health needs and be connected to services. Funding will also support a comprehensive training series on topics including mindfulness and trauma-informed restorative practices.

The foundation’s services support more 17,000 students at 29 schools throughout the Napa Valley Unified School District, which encompasses Napa, American Canyon, and Yountville.

“This investment allows us to strengthen programs and build a teen Wellness Council at Napa and Vintage High Schools to ensure the students have a leadership voice in developing mental health support,” said Kristin Nelson, Coordinator of Student Wellness & Support, Napa Valley Unified School District. “This partnership and funding are so important to support student social and emotional well-being.”

The Kaiser Permanente grant also supports the establishment of a Student Wellness Club facilitated by a counselor. Student peer health ambassadors will encourage their peers to get the support they need at the wellness programs.

“At Kaiser Permanente, our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve, which not only means physical health but mental and emotional health, as well. We understand that we are only just beginning to see some of the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on teachers, staff, and students, and providing access to mental health and wellness services is more critical than ever; this is one of the many reasons we continue to provide support to organizations like the Napa Valley Education Foundation,” said Nor Jemjemian, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente Napa Solano. “We hope these wellness programs provide all the on-campus support students, teachers, and staff need to remain healthy for years to come.”