Making Wellness a Priority
The IPSF works to ensure that each child in every IUSD school receives high-quality school health services, regardless of their health insurance status or ability to pay, by committing $500,000 each year to health and wellness initiatives. Since 2005, IPSF has maintained the health and wellness initiative as a high priority, so that all IUSD students can thrive and succeed in school.
A mounting body of evidence has established links between comprehensive school health programs and educational outcomes, indicating that healthier students attend school more often, perform better academically and are significantly less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.
Mental Health Resources for K-12
IPSF is committed to supporting mental health programs across the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) to promote student wellness at every grade level. Mental health is essential for helping students maintain a well-balanced life. Studies show that up to 20% of children in the US face a diagnosable mental illness, but all students experience moments when they feel down, stressed, or overwhelmed. Good mental health includes having strategies to manage challenges positively and knowing when and how to seek help.
Building resilience is central to IUSD’s strategy for addressing mental health and promoting wellness among all students, Pre-K through high school. Age-appropriate social-emotional learning (SEL) programs and other supports are in place to provide students with the knowledge and tools they need to recognize and deal with stressful situations.
Athletic Trainers for IUSD Athletic Programs
Thanks to generous support from Hoag Orthopedic Institute, IPSF provides ongoing support for athletic trainers at each of the five comprehensive high schools. The major focus of the Athletic Trainer is to identify risk factors, prevent injuries, provide appropriate medical treatment, including rehabilitative services and referral support, and detect and correct health problems directly related to athletic performance, such as concussion risks.
Nursing Staff at IUSD School Sites
School nurses oversee the health of more than 38,000 IUSD students. IPSF helps fund additional nursing staff to ensure that each child has access to the care they require.
IPSF engages the medical community, local businesses and foundations, parents, institutions of higher education, and the City of Irvine to meet the health needs of the IUSD student population.
