Overview of 2025-26 Resources for Families

The PLCS Empowerment Collective exists to empower students, staff, and families with actionable strategies and information on key topics, fostering a collaborative learning environment where together we learn and grow.

In its second year, programming tackled the topics PLCS families said they needed: anxiety, depression, school safety, vaping, ADHD, bullying, body image, homework, emotional regulation, grief, divorce, and more. Every event and episode was designed to meet families where they are, whether that meant a Wednesday afternoon resource fair at the PLCS Central Office, a lunchtime Zoom session, or a 15-minute podcast episode on the morning commute.

Community partnerships were central to the work. Sixty-four vendors and community organizations joined our Health & Wellness and Birth to 21 Resource fairs, connecting families directly to local services and support networks. The Family Engagement Fair was staffed entirely by PLCS teams, ensuring families could access the district’s own resources in one place.

The Mindshift podcast, hosted by Dr. Christopher Villarreal and Dr. Deb Anderson, became the Collective’s most far-reaching platform. Delivering real talk from experts to parents, educators, and youth advocates every Wednesday, Mindshift reached listeners on more than 24 platforms. Podcast clips shared as Facebook Reels extended the conversation to tens of thousands of viewers who may never have pressed play on a full episode.

As we look ahead to the 2026–27 school year, the Empowerment Collective will continue to grow. Guided by community feedback, grounded in the issues families face, and committed to the belief that when we learn together, we grow together.

Programming and Events

The Second Season of the PLCS Mindshift Podcast

Save the Dates for 2026-27

Mark your calendars! Watch for individual event promotions and additional opportunities throughout the year. Register for the Empowerment Session webinar series at plcschools.org/empowered.