Click HERE to download the handout.
This is a list of professional development workshops, training opportunities, and conferences that Marin Promise Partners have used to improve the cultural responsiveness of their staff. This document was developed out of the work of the Partners during their Leadership Council meetings in 2017-2018.
During those Leadership Council meetings, partners set S.M.A.R.T.E. goals to focus and measure their action commitments. In reflecting on those commitments, partners began comparing various professional development tools and resources. What emerged is a living referral document of resources referred by partners to partners in their collaborative journey toward a more culturally responsive educational ecosystem. This document will continue to be updated as new resources are added by the partners.
Click HERE to learn more about the Partnership’s Cultural Responsiveness Initiative.

April 2025 Partnership Newsletter
This spring, partners launched the Educator Pathway, helped families unlock $47K in college savings, and saw place-based efforts take root across Marin. Read about the collaborative action and momentum taking place across Marin in the April 2025 Partnership Newsletter.

Partners Help Families Claim Over $47K in Free College Money
“College was not just a dream anymore.”
A Terra Linda High School senior reflects on discovering CalKIDS, California’s free college savings program for eligible students and newborns. This year, partners across Marin worked together to help families unlock over $47,000 in new savings, making it easier for students to pursue college with confidence and support.

Lessons from the Road: Insights from Visiting Place-based Partnerships Across the StriveTogether Network
Michael Looft, the Backbone Team’s Director of Technology, set out on a road trip to visit fellow place-based partnerships across the country. Along the way, he explored how communities are tackling similar challenges, reminding us how staying connected to the national StriveTogether network helps our backbone team bring fresh insight, tested strategies, and renewed purpose back to Marin.

The Educator Diversity Initiative is Graduating: A Milestone for Systemic Change
In Marin, many students of color go through school without ever having a teacher who looks like them. That is starting to change. This story follows a cross-sector partnership that listened to educators of color, removed systemic barriers, and built a lasting Educator Pathway.

Marin Leaders Launch New Planning Effort to Create More Opportunities for Families in the Canal Neighborhood
Local leaders, community organizations, and schools have come together to launch a new planning process aimed at creating better opportunities for children and families in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael.
The Canal Promise Neighborhood Plan is a community-driven effort to build a shared vision for improving education, health, and economic well-being in the Canal, now and for generations to come.

Why This Rural Community’s Car Seat Project is About More Than Safety
The Car Seats for West Marin Kids program provides free car seats and bilingual support, tackling barriers like cost, accessibility, and trust in this rural community. By empowering local families and creating long-term solutions, this community-led initiative transforms transportation safety into a foundation for equity, giving children the opportunity to thrive.

Family Engagement Initiative: Updates & News (January 2025)
Family Engagement Initiative |Engaging Families: Collective Impact in Action | Involucrando a las Familias: Impacto Colectivo en Acción | January 2025 Newsletter | Sign up for the Family Engagement Initiative Quarterly Updates | Stay in the loop of current work happening in Marin County around Family Engagement to learn how our parent group is working to develop strategies that

A Place-Based Vision for Marin
Where a family lives shouldn’t dictate their access to education, health, or economic opportunity—but in Marin County, it often does. Some places are thriving while others face barriers to opportunity. These disparities shape children’s futures long before they set foot in a classroom. Take a look at our vision to deepen our impact.

A Visit to West Marin: Reflections on the Strength and Struggles of a Rural Community
One of my main goals as I step into the role of CEO is to visit different parts of our county and listen to the voices of families, partners, and communities. Recently, I had the privilege of spending a day in West Marin—a region known for its beauty and rural charm, but also for the unique challenges its residents face.

Early Learning & Literacy Initiative: Updates & News (November 2024)
November 2024 Newsletter