CFS Team Retreat in South Dakota: Strengthening Connection, Strategy, and Impact

In February, Coaction Collective had the privilege of facilitating a powerful team retreat for the Community, Family & Student (CFS) Support Services team at Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (BHSSC) in South Dakota. Led by Diana Suarez, Justin Stephens, and Mike Andrews, the retreat focused on building team connection, strategic growth, and leadership development—all with the goal of aligning on a shared vision and strengthening the team’s long-term impact.

CoCo has been deepening our work across South Dakota, from listening to families in Rapid City to partnering with BHSSC to support educators, community leaders, and family engagement specialists. Our approach centers on creating spaces for honest dialogue, facilitating meaningful conversations, and providing practical tools that help teams move from ideas to action.

During the retreat, we guided sessions that helped the CFS team:

• Reflect on their strengths and growth areas

• Clarify shared goals and vision

• Build trust and connection across roles

• Explore strategies for more impactful family and community engagement

Every interaction—whether it’s a workshop, a coaching conversation, or a listening session—strengthens the connections between schools, families, and communities. We believe that investing in team development is key to creating lasting change, and we’re honored to be part of this journey with the CFS team.

This retreat is just one example of how we support teams across the country with facilitation, leadership development, and customized support rooted in equity and engagement. We’re excited to continue learning, growing, and building alongside our South Dakota partners.

Let’s keep creating together—stronger teams, stronger communities, stronger outcomes.