California’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten work offers a practical look at what it takes to communicate clearly across a large, diverse statewide initiative.
In this three-part LinkedIn Live series, we unite as researchers, community leaders, communicators and partners to share how community listening, trusted local relationships and authentic family voices can make statewide communications clearer, more relevant and more useful to families.
Session 1 | From Listening to Action: Building Communications With Communities
Effective communications are shaped with communities, not just created for them.
Join us for the first conversation in the series, focused on how family and community perspectives informed California’s UPK communications from early listening and testing through the development of messages and materials.
The conversation will explore what meaningful family engagement looks like in practice, how direct feedback can shape communications decisions, and why keeping that feedback loop open matters as the work continues.
Featuring:
- Maura Keaney, Vice President, Collaborative Communications, Host + Moderator
- Lisa Borrego, Senior Director, CA Family and Community Engagement Initiative, Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation
- Dr. Janet Nuñez-Pineda, Director, California Statewide Family Engagement Center, Parent Institute for Quality Education
Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 1 p.m. ET
About The LinkedIn Live Series: Collaborative launched a three-part LinkedIn Live series using California’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten work as a practical example of how large, diverse initiatives can build trust, connect locally, and communicate at scale.
Each session stands alone while building on a shared theme: turning community insight and trusted relationships into stronger communications.
Session 1 | From Listening to Action: Building Communications With Communities Featuring Maura Keaney, Lisa Borrego and Dr. Janet Nuñez-Pineda How family listening, engagement and feedback can shape stronger communications.
Session 2 | Providers as Trusted Messengers: Turning Statewide Communications Into Local Connections
Featuring Maura Keaney, Stephen Propheter, Shanna Birkholz-Vasquez + Collaborative Communications
How trusted local professionals can help statewide information connect with families.Session 3 | Parent Voices and Family Engagement: Turning Community Connection Into Statewide Reach
Featuring Dr. Janet Nuñez-Pineda, Suzanne Woodward, Jen Peters and Maura Keaney
How parent voices, community stories and peer connections can make information more personal and relevant.
At Collaborative Communications, we’re working with partners every day to assess their communications systems and find solutions to their toughest challenges. Contact us to find out how we can help you align your team, improve your process, and make an impact.