Join us at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center for the Bridging the Gap: Community Schools Family Engagement Conference. This full-day, in-person event is free and open to all educators, family liaisons, counselors, administrators, and support staff interested in deepening their approach to family engagement. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
Sponsored by Community School Grant funding, this conference highlights one of the core pillars of the Community School Initiative: Family and Community Engagement. Whether you work in a community school or not, this is a valuable opportunity to connect with practical strategies and local partners.
Our keynote speakers include Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch and MC McDonald, Ph.D. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and the highest-ranking Latina in the Combat Support Field. She is a nationally respected speaker and founder of Education Achievement Services, where she empowers educators and families through leadership development, cultural pride, and community connection.
MC McDonald, Ph.D., is a trauma researcher and author of Unbroken and The Joy Reset. Her work focuses on how trauma impacts learning, relationships, and well-being, offering a compassionate and practical approach to trauma-informed engagement.
Additional sessions will include expert-led presentations on family engagement strategies by Jill Lopez-Rabin and Brieahna Weatherford. Additionally, the conference will feature a community resource fair with local organizations that support students and families.
We look forward to working together to build stronger connections between families and schools.
- Date/Time: June 18, 2025, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Location: Ukiah Valley Conference Center, 200 S. School St., Ukiah, CA 95482
- Cost: Free; Breakfast & Lunch Provided
- Registration: register here
- Download a flier: in English or Spanish (PDF)
For questions, contact mnemeth@mcoe.us or lunderwood@mcoe.us.