Parents and Agencies Aligning for Stronger Support Systems (PAASSS) is a regional collaborative committed to improving outcomes for children and families through coordinated partnerships, shared leadership, and communitydriven solutions. Originally established as Plano Area Alliance Supporting Student Success, PAASSS was founded to strengthen communication and collaboration among organizations serving children and families. When the Grundy-Kendall Regional Office of Education became the fiscal sponsor for PAASSS, the organization’s reach and impact expanded beyond the Plano area into a broader regional systems effort across Grundy and Kendall Counties. Today, PAASSS serves as a trusted convener, connector, and collaborative partner working to align supports, reduce fragmentation, and improve access to resources for families with young children. Through partnerships with schools, health agencies, nonprofits, family-serving organizations, local government, businesses, and parents, PAASSS helps build stronger systems that support children from prenatal stages through school entry and beyond. PAASSS also plays a key leadership role in regional initiatives focused on family engagement, resource navigation, community awareness, and systems alignment, including backbone support for the implementation and sustainability of the Grundy/Kendall IRIS Network.
Mission
PAASSS works to strengthen coordinated systems of support for children and families across Kendall and Grundy Counties through collaboration, community partnerships, family leadership, and equitable access to resources and opportunities empowering them to raise children that are safe, healthy, eager to learn, and ready to succeed.
Vision
A connected regional system where every child and family has access to the relationships, resources, and opportunitíes needed to thrive.
Core Values
COLLABORATION We believe meaningful change happens when organizations, families, and communities work together toward shared goals.
TRUST & RELATIONSHIPS Strong relationships built on respect, transparency, and shared accountability are the foundation of effective systems work.
FAMILY VOICE Families are essential partners and leaders in shaping the systems, programs, and decisions that impact their lives.
PREVENTION & EARLY INVESTMENT Investing early in children and families creates stronger long-term outcomes for individuals, communities, and systems.
EQUITY & INCLUSION We are committed to reducing barriers and ensuring all families, especially those historically underserved, have access to opportunities, supports, and resources.
COMMUNITY RESPONSIVENESS We listen to and learn from the communities we serve to ensure our work reflects local needs, strengths, and priorities.
SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY We believe partners across sectors share responsibility for improving outcomes for children and families.
Strategic Plan 2026-2029
Download our Strategic Plan 2026-2029 pdf.
