Strengthening Family-School Partnerships in Montrose, Colorado: A Bright Spot in Family Engagement

Coaction Collective (CoCo) is proud to partner with the Rocky Mountain Family Engagement Collective (RMFEC) to strengthen family-school partnerships in Montrose, Colorado. This collaboration with Montrose County School District is part of a statewide effort to improve family engagement in schools and boost student success through meaningful relationships between families and educators.

Since 2023, RMFEC has worked closely with Montrose schools to offer educator professional development focused on building capacity for family engagement. These trainings are based on the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships, helping educators develop the mindsets and skills needed to create trust, foster collaboration, and ensure families are active partners in their child’s learning.

This month, CoCo cofounders Kyle Evans and Justin Stephens were on the ground in Montrose, providing hands-on coaching, facilitating real-time problem-solving, and helping teachers design strategies for long-term family engagement success. Their support has empowered educators to reflect on their current practices, identify new opportunities, and co-create engagement plans that are responsive, inclusive, and community-driven.

In addition to our on-the-ground support, CoCo also helped develop the Family Literacy and Family Math resources featured on RMFEC’s website. These tools are designed to help caregivers support learning at home in fun, accessible ways—and to reinforce the connection between classroom instruction and family life. They are part of our shared commitment to making high-quality, culturally responsive resources available to families across Colorado.

As Montrose prepares for year two of this partnership, the focus is on innovation and sustainability. CoCo and RMFEC are excited to continue co-designing new ways for families and educators to connect, collaborate, and grow together. From classroom-level strategies to district-wide action plans, Montrose is becoming a powerful example of how investing in family engagement leads to stronger schools and better outcomes for students.

Montrose is a bright spot in Colorado’s family engagement landscape—and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for more updates on how CoCo and RMFEC are working with schools across the state to reimagine what’s possible through family-school partnerships.