Jessica Miller is the Vice President of Therapy Services at Easterseals Southern California, where she empowers individuals with disabilities to be full and equal participants in society through comprehensive programs and advocacy initiatives. She is also a part of Proof Positive’s Learning Institute, a select group of leaders in autism services committed to implementing and spreading the science and skills of wellbeing.
Jessica and her team are implementing a 6-month-long PERMA+ initiative across Easterseals to improve wellbeing for all, but you’ll want to hear it from her! Thanks to Easterseals Southern California for sharing this blog with us. See the original post here.
Positive psychology is transforming the way individuals and organizations approach wellness in their communities and in the workplace. At Easterseals Southern California, we’ve seen its impact first-hand. That’s why in 2025, our Autism Therapy Services team is thrilled to launch a new initiative for staff, participants, and their families centered around the PERMA+ model, a framework rooted in positive psychology.
The PERMA+ model highlights six essential elements that contribute to a person’s well-being: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning (Mattering), Accomplishment (Achievements), and Health. Each of these concepts play a vital role in enhancing an individual’s wellness, and we are committed to including this in our therapy services.
Why PERMA+ Matters to Easterseals
The PERMA+ model aligns with Easterseals’ holistic approach to care, emphasizing that wellness has many aspects. By focusing on the key elements of PERMA+, we can support not only the physical, emotional and mental health of our participants, but also the caregivers and associates who support our community. Balanced wellness leads to greater resilience, increased satisfaction, stress management, and the ability to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.
Our Commitment to Wellness
Over the next six months, the Autism Therapy Services team will take a deep dive into each of these PERMA+ categories. We will provide strategies, activities, and resources tailored to the unique needs of our associates, caregivers, and participants.
These activities will be showcased at all ten Easterseals therapy centers, spanning from San Diego to Thousand Oaks, with each therapy supervisor supporting the implementation of PERMA+ practices.
Additionally, we will hold monthly meetups to review and discuss our overall wellness scores and identify ways to better support employees and all members of our community. These gatherings will serve as an opportunity to share insights, celebrate progress, and foster a collective commitment to well-being.
We encourage employees and our community to join us on this journey as we explore workplace wellness.
Our Partnership in Wellness
Easterseals Southern California’s partnership with Proof Positive has been vital in applying the principles of positive psychology to create meaningful impact. Through the integration of the PERMA+ framework—focusing on Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and physical well-being—this collaboration supports the development of strengths-based approaches that empower individuals and communities to thrive. Together, we aim to foster resilience, enhance well-being, and build inclusive environments where everyone can flourish.
Stay tuned throughout the next six months and follow us on social media to see how Easterseals is making positive psychology an integral part of what we do through participant and employee engagement.
