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Youth, Family & Community

Prepare young people to excel in school and life through asset-based practices that engage families and communities.

Young people learn better when they feel safe and supported. Environments that provide meaningful learning experiences, a sense of belonging, and positive relationships enable youth to develop critical interpersonal skills, achieve academic goals, and grow personally and professionally. Whether you work in a classroom, community-based program, or larger youth-serving system, we can co-develop cohesive approaches and practices that uplift learners and the adults who support them. Our experts help you assess what you need to cultivate a healthy learning environment, then support you to implement and evaluate asset-based practices, engage families and communities, and establish supportive systems that nurture learning and growth.

Youth, Family & Community Specialties

  • Asset-based, trauma-informed, and responsive practices
  • School-community partnerships
  • Continuous improvement of program quality
  • Systems alignment and coherence
  • Applied research and evaluation

families and teachers

Family Engagement

Improve student outcomes and strengthen school communities with an evidence-based approach to family engagement.

Family Engagement
families and teachers

Youth Engagement

Create supportive learning environments by building on the strengths and perspectives of youth.

Youth Engagement
Equitable Learning Environments Framework logo

What do equitable learning environments look like?

SEE OUR FRAMEWORK

Featured Work

people doing a puzzle

Continuous Improvement

Implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Edmonds

people working together

Applied Research

Community Partnerships for Reengagement Initiative

two adults doing a puzzle

Training & Curriculum Development

Training Local Homeless Education Liaisons in Washington State

Our Experts

  • Ashley Sheppard
    Ashley Sheppard

    Principal Consultant

  • Ashlie Denton
    Ashlie Denton

    Managing Researcher

  • Julie Petrokubi
    Julie Petrokubi

    Managing Researcher

  • Marbella Uriostegui
    Marbella Uriostegui

    Senior Researcher

  • Vicki Nishioka
    Vicki Nishioka

    Leader

  • Mary Padden
    Mary Padden

    Senior Researcher

  • Grace Gowdy
    Grace Gowdy

    Senior Researcher

  • Rachel Maller
    Rachel Maller

    Researcher

Building a clear path toward better education for all, together

PARTNER WITH US

Insights & Resources

  • two adults talking

    What Informal Mentors Can Teach Us About Effective Mentoring

    Researcher Grace Gowdy explores how informal mentoring relationships offer important lessons about promoting equity and youth voice.

  • zoom screenshots of teachers communicating

    Lessons for the Education System from Youth Reengagement Programs

    In the United States today, more than four million young adults have disengaged from the K–12 education system without graduating or entering the workforce.

  • four students learning

    Youth Mentoring Program Planning and Design Resources

    The following resources for planning, designing, and implementing a youth mentoring program were developed by our National Mentoring Center project.

  • student presenting in front of a classroom

    It’s On Adults to Make Space for Youth Voice

    It’s past time that adults take action to promote youth voice. Here are some ways to get started.

  • illustrations students doing extra curricular activites

    How Schools Can Get the Most From Youth Program Partnerships

    Youth program partnerships can help districts and schools accomplish more than what they can do alone. How can you build your capacity to manage them?

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