FOCUS Resilience Program

Over the past 5 years, the UCLA Division of Population Behavioral Health has been supported by the Rare Impact Fund to implement Road to Resilience for Los Angeles Schools.  Road to Resilience is a community-partnered initiative by the UCLA Division of Population Behavioral Health (DBPH) in collaboration with Los Angeles County public schools to create and sustain a whole school approach to mental health engagement and prevention supports for under-resourced school communities.  Originally a response to the unprecedented mental health needs of students and their families when the COVID-19 Pandemic first began, Road to Resilience builds on decades of UCLA research that support the effectiveness of the FOCUS resilience program. 

FOCUS Resilience Curriculum for Students

An adaptation designed for general school-based populations. FOCUS provides an introduction to concepts such as goal setting and action plans, emotional awareness and regulation, problem-solving, and communication skills. Sessions are facilitated by school mental health staff with practical examples and sample scripts for using the resilience skills in a variety of situations with students.

FOCUS Resilience Curriculum for Parents and Caregivers

An adaptation of FOCUS delivered on school campuses for Parents and Caregivers over seven 60-90 minute sessions. Each session includes psychoeducation about trauma, developmental guidance, and skill-building to enhance parent emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, goal setting, and managing stress and trauma reminders.

FOCUS Skills

An adaptation of FOCUS that can be facilitated by non-clinical professionals and school staff. Each session provides an introduction to concepts such as goal setting and action plans, emotional awareness and regulation, problem-solving, and communication skills. FOCUS trainers and experts provide ongoing training, coaching, and implementation support (online and through virtual-live trainings).

Connected for Wellness Mobile App

Designed with input from community partners and youth, the app offers over 500 wellness strategies for youth, parents and school personnel in English and Spanish, including tips for wellness topics like sleep, grief, and academic stress. The app is currently available on the App Store and Google Play.

LA Wildfire Relief

The FOCUS resilience program and Connected for Wellness app are also being distributed throughout LA Schools affected by the January 2025 Wildfires through a grant from the California Fire Foundation and partnership with UCLA Sound Body Sound Mind.

Become a FOCUS Provider or Facilitator, visit our community training page to learn more.