June 23, 2022

Improving school health

A $60,000 grant will support the assessment of social-emotional health, food access, and staff well-being.

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Laura M. Lott
laura.m.lott@kp.org
808-343-2406 (mobile)

HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii has awarded Alliance for a Healthier Generation a $60,000 grant to improve the health and well-being of students, staff, teachers, and families in under-resourced school districts.

The grant will allow Alliance for a Healthier Generation to assess the unique needs of the schools it supports using the Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment, which it launched in 2021 in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. The integrated assessment is an evidence-based tool that helps schools evaluate strengths and gaps across a broad range of topics, including social-emotional health, food access, and staff well-being. Improving these factors will impact important aspects of health and learning, such as attendance, discipline, and school climate. 

Post-assessment, Alliance for a Healthier Generation will support systemic changes in school districts through capacity building, including a variety of training and activities. It will help school districts implement policy, system, and environmental changes that improve school health. Additionally, the funding will increase access to support systems including mental and physical health services and resources associated with social drivers of health.

“Schools play a central role in our communities,” said Greg Christian, Hawaii market president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. “Not only do they provide vital settings for learning and development, but they also serve as community anchors for social interaction, emotional support, and access to food, physical activity, and health care. This grant will provide a range of important resources for schools that need it most. It reflects the integrated approach we take to advancing community health.”

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.