The Collective Impact Approach
Too many organizations are working in isolation from one another. Collective impact brings people together,
 in a structured way, to achieve social change. So says the Collective Impact Forum/FSG, the preeminent organization supporting these efforts nationwide. Collaborate PASadena utilizes the collective impact model which includes five basic elements (see figure). Additionally, following are some of the practice's guiding principles.
  • Design and implement the initiative with a priority placed on equity.
  • Include community members in the collaborative.
  • Recruit  cross-sector partners.
  • Use data to continuously learn, adapt, and improve.
  • Build a culture that fosters relationships, trust and respect across participants.

We are grateful to all of our partners who are engaging with us in this important work for the children of our community.
The Vision | The children of Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre all grow up in a safe, stable,
                        and supportive environment that prepares them for success in school and in life.
S is for Sierra Madre
The S in Collaborate PASadena's logo represents Sierra Madre, Pasadena's quaint neighbor to the north and east. A town of 11,000 people, Sierra Madre is known for its tree-lined streets and small-town feel. There are two PUSD schools in town -- Sierra Madre Elementary School and Sierra Madre Middle School -- and private schools including St. Rita Catholic, The Gooden School, Alverno Heights Academy, and more. A new City Manager, Gabe Engeland, recently took the helm and Collaborate PASadena is exploring ways to work more closely together, to benefit all children and families in the community.
Says City Councilman John Capoccia, who also serves on the CP Leadership Council, "I'm so excited about Collaborate PASadena. The initiative has done what its name implies:  It has provided a framework by which various organizations and volunteers help each other to ensure positive outcomes for our children. Collaborate PASadena is helping to build and enhance vibrant communities."
Student Success Work Group
Collaborate PASadena's Student Success Work Group includes representatives from the Public Library, PUSD, Caltech, PCC, local nonprofits like Reading Partners and College Access Plan, as well as parents and other community members. Together they work to contribute to the success of all students, and identify opportunities for students to be actively engaged in school and the community. Click here if you are interested in joining this Work Group.

Connecting to higher education is a priority for Collaborate PASadena, and having Mitch Aiken, M.Ed., from Caltech at the Leadership Council table is great! Mitch directs outreach in the Center for Teaching, Learning, & Outreach at the world-renowned institution, finding ways to bring Caltech students and researchers together with young people in our communities. Mitch also sits on CP's Student Success Work Group and has been instrumental in connecting PUSD students to Caltech through elementary science and stargazing nights, guest lectures and mentoring in high school classrooms, field trips, visiting scientist programs, coding classes for elementary students,  and summer high school programs including Community Science Academy and Summer Research Connection.

“When we connect our Caltech community with PUSD, everyone benefits – our students and researchers have the opportunity to share their passion with an enthusiastic audience of future scientists and engineers, and the K-12 students are challenged and inspired by some of the world’s brightest young minds, right here in their hometown."
LCAP Parent Advisory Council Needs You!

The LCAP (LCAP stands for Local Control and Accountability Plan and is the vehicle for transparency and engagement in educational spending) PAC (Parent Advisory Council) is a required parent body designed to assure a diverse membership that represents PUSD's wider, diverse, and multilingual parent population.

The PAC purpose is to review, advise, monitor and comment on the Pasadena Unified School District’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) spending and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) toward the achievement of all students.

Click here for English application materials; click here for Spanish; applications due on May 1, 2017.
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USC Capstone Project Report
In Spring 2016,the Collective Impact Development Plan, prepared by a research team of four students working on Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy, was released. Click here to read the report and learn  about what the team recommended for Collaborate PASadena's work, much of which is now fully underway! 
Parent Forum a Success!
Kudos to the team at McKinley School of the Arts and PUSD who put together an outstanding day of workshops, resource tables, entertainment and fun at the first annual Parent Summit on Saturday, April 8! A major highlight of the day was keynote speaker, Dr. George McKenna III, renowned, award-winning educator and school board member, who shared his wisdom and wit with parents and community members in attendance.
News and Events
Click here to find the latest news and events!
Partner Praise
Thank you, PACTL, for the good work you do with parents and the community, and for being a strong partner and participating in our Healthy Families and Parent Engagement Work Groups!
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v. to make stronger; enlarge; extend