Rooted in Strength: Growing Community Schools Together
November 5-6, 2026
Strong schools grow from strong communities.
Community schools are built on the belief that schools are stronger when families, educators, students, community partners and local leaders work together toward a shared vision. Community schools respond to the unique strengths and needs of each school community and create the conditions for every student and family to thrive.
The Rooted in Strength: Growing Community Schools Together Conference unites people from across Colorado and beyond together to learn, connect and grow the community schools movement.
Conference attendees will learn from thought leaders and explore best practices for implementing the Community Schools strategy.
This conference is designed for anyone who believes in the power of schools and communities working together.
We look forward to seeing you there!
For questions, contact us at [email protected]
About the Colorado Coalition for Community Schools
The Colorado Coalition for Community Schools is a diverse group of education advocates working toward a shared vision of a state where students and families are engaged and supported. The Coalition provides guidance and advocacy to implement and expand community schools across Colorado. Mile High United Way is honored to serve as the backbone organization to this statewide Coalition.
Visit our website at https://coloradocoalitionforcommunityschools.weebly.com
Location
Lowry Conference Center
1061 Akron Way
Denver, CO 80230
1061 Akron Way
Denver, CO 80230
Dates
November 5-6, 2026
Conference registration is $75 per person.
Conference participants can also join one of the community school site visits on Nov. 5th for $30 per person or attend both site visits for $50.
The Colorado Coalition for Community Schools is proud to keep registration costs low to encourage shared ideas, connection building and strengthen community schools across Colorado.
Conference participants can also join one of the community school site visits on Nov. 5th for $30 per person or attend both site visits for $50.
The Colorado Coalition for Community Schools is proud to keep registration costs low to encourage shared ideas, connection building and strengthen community schools across Colorado.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Agenda
Thurs, Nov 5
9:00-11:00AM
9:00-11:00AM
Community School Site Visit #1
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy (Grades 6-12)
10100 E 13th Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy (Grades 6-12)
10100 E 13th Ave, Aurora, CO 80010
11:15-12:45PM
Networking Lunch (provided)
Project Worthmore
1666 Elmira St, Aurora, CO 80010
https://projectworthmore.org/
Project Worthmore
1666 Elmira St, Aurora, CO 80010
https://projectworthmore.org/
1:00-3:00PM
Community School Site Visit #2
Crawford Elementary School (Grades Pk-5)
1600 Florence St, Aurora, CO 80010
Crawford Elementary School (Grades Pk-5)
1600 Florence St, Aurora, CO 80010
Fri, NoV 6
8:30-9:00AM
8:30-9:00AM
Check in and Continental Breakfast
9:00-10:15AM
Welcome and Keynote Speaker
Reimagining Youth Engagement: From Voice to Power
Heather Kennedy, MPH, PhD
Heather Kennedy is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Public Health and Director of the Hub for Youth Engagement, which advances youth voice and power in community change through participatory inquiry and organizing. She serves on the Steering Committee of the YPAR Network and is the lead designer of a video series that builds adults’ capacity to engage young people in Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). Heather began her public health journey at age 16 as a participant in a youth tobacco control movement and has since built her career around creating opportunities for young people to recognize and exercise their power to shape their communities.
Reimagining Youth Engagement: From Voice to Power
Heather Kennedy, MPH, PhD
Heather Kennedy is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Public Health and Director of the Hub for Youth Engagement, which advances youth voice and power in community change through participatory inquiry and organizing. She serves on the Steering Committee of the YPAR Network and is the lead designer of a video series that builds adults’ capacity to engage young people in Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). Heather began her public health journey at age 16 as a participant in a youth tobacco control movement and has since built her career around creating opportunities for young people to recognize and exercise their power to shape their communities.
10:15-10:30AM
Break
10:30-11:45AM
Morning Breakout Sessions
The Missing Step: Introducing the Community School Readiness Playbook
Jes Stroope, Ph.D., District and Community Supports Manager in the Office of Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP), Colorado Department of Education
David Osta, Whole System Education Consulting
Jes Stroope, Ph.D., District and Community Supports Manager in the Office of Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP), Colorado Department of Education
David Osta, Whole System Education Consulting
The Difference Community Schools Make: Evidence from a Decade in Chicago
Dominique Bradley, PhD, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Neil Naftzger, PhD, Managing Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Christine Koerner, Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research
Dominique Bradley, PhD, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Neil Naftzger, PhD, Managing Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Christine Koerner, Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research
Child and Family Support Warmline Pilot
Ida Drury, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect
Heather Hanson, Reimagining Child Welfare Steering Committee Co-Chair, Foster America
Ida Drury, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect
Heather Hanson, Reimagining Child Welfare Steering Committee Co-Chair, Foster America
Data that Drives Change: Insights on Colorado's Children
Maya Gould, VP of Research, Colorado Children's Campaign
Madi Ashour, Director of K-12 Education Policy, Colorado Children's Campaign
Maya Gould, VP of Research, Colorado Children's Campaign
Madi Ashour, Director of K-12 Education Policy, Colorado Children's Campaign
11:45-12:30PM
Lunch (provided)
12:30-1:15PM
Community Schools Panel
Facilitated by B Workman, Community Schools Consultant
Rooted in Progress: Different Stages of Community School Development
Englewood Schools
Greeley-Evans School District 6
Adams County School District 14
Facilitated by B Workman, Community Schools Consultant
Rooted in Progress: Different Stages of Community School Development
Englewood Schools
Greeley-Evans School District 6
Adams County School District 14
1:15-1:30PM
Transition
1:30-2:45PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Community Partnership Meets Academic Rigor
Brandy Kramer, Community School Coordinator at Boston P-8, Aurora Public Schools
Brandy Kramer, Community School Coordinator at Boston P-8, Aurora Public Schools
Youth as Data-Driven Change-Makers
Heather Kennedy, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, Colorado School of Public Health
Heather Kennedy, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, Colorado School of Public Health
Community Schools 101: Transforming Schools Through Shared Leadership and Community Partnerships
Christa Rowland, Western Regional Director, Coalition for Community Schools/Institute for Educational Leadership
Christa Rowland, Western Regional Director, Coalition for Community Schools/Institute for Educational Leadership
Supporting your Students and Communities through the Community Schools Initiative
Dominique Bradley, PhD, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Neil Naftzger, PhD, Managing Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Christine Koerner, Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research
Dominique Bradley, PhD, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Neil Naftzger, PhD, Managing Researcher, American Institutes for Research
Christine Koerner, Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research
2:45-3:00PM
Break and Snack
3:00-3:45PM
Role-Alike Roundtables
Connect, Adapt, Act: Putting Community School Practices into Action
Connect, Adapt, Act: Putting Community School Practices into Action
3:45-4:00PM
Closing