Wildfire Recovery Is About More Than Homes, It’s About Healing Our Children

GUEST OPINION

A law firm pamphlet left in an abandoned mailbox in Altadena (Photo – Melissa Michelson)

In California, recovery from wildfires often centers on what’s lost physically, homes, schools, and infrastructure. But for the children and families who live through these traumatic events, recovery is far more personal and complex.

By Breeda McGrath

As a school psychologist and president of Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School in Pasadena, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply these experiences impact young people, not just in the moment, but for years to come.

Healing from disaster isn’t just about repairing buildings. It’s about restoring a sense of safety, stability, and connection, especially for our children. In the Pasadena area and across the state, families are navigating the emotional toll of climate-driven disasters. Some children feel anxious every time the wind picks up. Others struggle with grief, disorientation, or lingering fear.

This is where community must step in.

Parents and caregivers can foster healing by creating space for children to share their stories, even if those stories are hard to hear. Teachers and school staff also play a critical role. Trauma-informed training helps educators recognize the signs of stress and respond with compassion rather than discipline. And mental health professionals are essential in supporting both immediate needs and long-term recovery.

But individual action alone isn’t enough. We need policy solutions that meet the scale of the crisis.

I urge state lawmakers and the Governor to pass and fully fund Assembly Bill 1479, which would expand access to school-based mental health professionals and trauma-informed programs across California. This is a tangible way to ensure every child, regardless of zip code, has access to the support they need to heal and thrive.

At Pacific Oaks, we’ve spent decades preparing culturally responsive therapists and educators who serve on the front lines of community healing. We invite community partners to collaborate with us, through internships, field placements, and partnerships, to meet growing needs locally.

Because healing after trauma isn’t just a personal journey. It’s a shared responsibility.

Let’s rebuild more than homes. Let’s rebuild hope.

Breeda McGrath, Ph.D., is President of Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School.