Partnership in Action: Cross-Sector Collaboration Update

The Partnership for Children, Youth and Families of Goodhue County continues to bring together schools, local government, nonprofits, health partners, and community members to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families across the region. The merger of collaborative convening tables (from RiseUp Partnership, Goodhue County Education District, and Goodhue County Child & Family Collaborative) became official in October 2025. Since then, partners have continued to advance collaborative initiatives in five key areas across Goodhue County:

1. Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Education and Training

Community members and partners are participating in training to build knowledge about positive and adverse childhood experiences. Participants are updating PCE education materials to include more information about chronic stress and resilience, incorporating practical tools such as Calm Classroom practices and breathing exercises, and supporting a community of practice for ACE trainers to strengthen facilitation and shared learning.

2. Youth on Boards Initiative

Community partners are exploring new opportunities to increase youth participation in local leadership and decision-making. Partners from the City of Red Wing, Red Wing Public Schools Community Education, and the RiseUp Partnership met on March 4 to discuss ways for youth ages 16-21 to participate on community boards. If you’d like to get involved with Youth on Boards, please email Jeimmy Yusty-Rojas at jyusty-rojas@gced.k12.mn.us.

3. Increasing Access to Out-of-School Opportunities

A group of community partners is collaborating to improve access to youth programs. Current priorities include developing a shared scholarship system for youth programs, hosting a community activity fair, and identifying transportation solutions. Early collaboration has already begun around driver’s education scholarships with Red Wing Community Education.

4. Youth Health Podcast Project

RiseUp Partnership is collaborating with a local pediatrician to launch a youth-led health education podcast in Goodhue County. Students are taking the lead: recruiting and interviewing local health professionals, soliciting priorities from local youth, and planning each episode. The project features topics such as mental and preventive healthcare and information on accessing healthcare resources. The team is planning to release the first episodes later this spring. Stay tuned for more information on how to listen!

5. Restorative Practices

Goodhue County Court Services and RiseUp Partnership are working together to convene youth, educators, community members, justice employees, families, and human services employees to co-create a roadmap for restorative practices across Goodhue County. Restorative practices are approaches that focus on repairing harm, strengthening relationships, and building community through dialogue, accountability, and healing. These practices are shown to increase youth accountability, build social and emotional skills, reduce repeat harm, and create safer, more connected schools and communities.