LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Jan. 28, the Lake County Office of Education and community partners participated in a transformative training led by The Montana Institute to implement the Science of the Positive framework in Lake County.

The Science of the Positive, developed by The Montana Institute, emphasizes amplifying strengths to inspire hope, connection and growth. By focusing on what is working well in communities, this approach establishes a foundation for sustainable change and healthier outcomes.

The training centered on fostering positive cultural norms and addressing challenges such as substance abuse prevention, mental health, and overall well-being through a strengths-based approach.

“At the Lake County Office of Education, we are committed to fostering environments where students and families can thrive,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg. “This training provided our community with invaluable tools to shift focus toward solutions and create a stronger, healthier Lake County.”

Throughout the day, participants explored the eight core principles of the Science of the Positive: being positive, present, perceptive, purposeful, perfected, proactive, passionate, and paradoxical. These principles provide a powerful foundation for positive leadership and effective communication.

A key outcome of the training was the development of personalized “big, bold statements” — declarations aligning with the core principles to guide participants' leadership and engagement efforts.

These statements will serve as guiding commitments as community partners deepen their collective understanding of how positive factors shape culture and experiences in Lake County.

“It’s inspiring to see this community come together to celebrate strengths and build upon them. This framework is not just a philosophy — it’s a call to action, and Lake County is answering that call with enthusiasm and dedication,” said Carla Ritz, managing director of The Montana Institute.

As these partners move forward, they will apply the principles learned in the training to transition from being busy to being truly effective.

This framework will help them navigate change and ambiguity while strengthening the positive and protective factors that already exist in the community.

Ana Santana, Healthy Start director for the Lake County Office of Education, highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration and community involvement. “By working together, we can amplify the positive and create meaningful, lasting change. This training was an important step in that journey, and we are excited to see its impact unfold throughout Lake County.”

Looking ahead, the next Science of the Positive training is scheduled for March 5 at Konocti Vista Casino & Resort.

This upcoming session will build on the momentum from January’s training, offering community leaders, educators, and local partners another opportunity to deepen their understanding of the framework and apply it to their ongoing efforts.

Participants will continue exploring the core principles while developing strategies to sustain positive change in Lake County.

For more information about the Science of the Positive initiative and future events, visit https://www.lakecoe.org/edservices/positive.