BELONG Partners

What BELONG Partners does

BELONG Partners (formerly Sound Discipline, rebranded 2021-2022) is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that delivers science-based, trauma-informed, restorative, and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to K-12 schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations across the Pacific Northwest. The organization offers four core service lines: (1) Whole School and Data Team School partnerships with multi-year 3-year commitments requiring 80% staff buy-in; (2) the District Model, a comprehensive train-the-trainer approach for school districts co-developed with Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD) and Southern Oregon Regional Educator Network (SOREN); (3) the DOOL (Designing Our Own Learning) youth-centered program running annually since 2018-2019, with its 8th cohort in summer 2026; and (4) a catalog of workshops (Reimagining Resilience, Rooted Relationships, Rooted Beginnings, Parent & Caregiver Classes) plus physical and digital products (Self-Regulation Tool Cards, School Administrators' Guide, Pacing Guide, Problem Solving Class Meetings Video).

Underlying methodology includes proprietary frameworks such as the MTSS Process for SEL screener (covering self-regulation, relationships, communication, and problem-solving), the Brain in the Hand adaptation of Dr. Dan Siegel's model, and Problem Solving Class Meetings. The organization employs 11-50 staff and serves a documented base of 50+ partner schools across Washington districts (Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Orcas Island, Renton, Nooksack, Tukwila) and Southern Oregon districts (Brookings-Harbor, Butte Falls, Central Point, Grants Pass, Klamath County), with additional Organizational Partnerships to community agencies and nonprofits. In the 2022-23 school year alone, Southern Oregon programming reached 4,000 students and 420 educators through 88 data team meetings, 105+ classroom visits, and 385 hours of direct professional development.

The business model blends mission-driven and commercial revenue: charitable donations (including a monthly "Belonging Builders" program and estate gifts), grants from foundations (College Spark Washington, Foundry10, Dare2Be, NW Children's Foundation, Seahawks Impacting 50 Communities), workshop registration fees via the Teachable online platform, one-time product sales ($15-$50 price points), and enterprise contracts with school districts. The go-to-market combines direct field sales to district leadership with content marketing (160+ blog articles, email newsletter, YouTube videos, LinkedIn/Instagram/Facebook presence), demonstration school tours, community house parties, and conference presentations (e.g., NWAIS). No AI/ML technology or venture funding is involved; the organization is governed by a board and led by Director of Program Stacy Lappin and Director of Strategic Partnerships Roxana Amaral, with Jimmy Hung as Board President.

Name

BELONG Partners

Legal name

BELONG Partners

Website

https://belongpartners.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BELONG Partners is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) non-profit (formerly Sound Discipline) delivering trauma-informed, restorative, and SEL programs, including the DOOL youth initiative and District Model, to K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations across Washington and Oregon via multi-year partnerships, workshops, and productized curricula.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social-Emotional Learning Professional Development and Consulting

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Engagement & Home–School Partnership Programs (EDACALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family Engagement & Take-Home Learning Materials (Home Packs, Parent Guides) (EDACAJAL)

Keywords

• Social emotional learning
• Trauma-informed education
• School professional development
• Restorative discipline training
• Equity education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: BELONG Partners operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization relying on charitable donations from individuals and grants from foundations. They offer a monthly recurring donor program called 'Belonging Builders' and accept estate gifts through wills or trusts.
2. Workshop and Professional Development Fees: The organization generates revenue through registration fees for public workshops and custom professional development sessions for schools and organizations. Workshops include Reimagining Resilience, Rooted Relationships, Rooted Beginnings, and Parent & Caregiver classes.
3. Products and Publications Sales: Sale of educational resources including Self-Regulation Tool Cards ($15), School Administrators' Guide ($50 printed/$49.99 PDF), Pacing Guide ($49.99 PDF), and Problem Solving Class Meetings Video ($25 streaming).
4. Personalized Coaching Sessions: One-on-one coaching sessions with experienced BELONG Partners Facilitators available for individuals seeking support in their work with young people.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BELONG Partners delivers school and district-level professional development, coaching, and partnership programs that integrate social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and restorative discipline. The organization sells a curated set of educational products and publications (tool cards, administrator and pacing guides, training videos) and offers public workshops and parent classes through an online learning platform, serving schools, districts, community organizations, and caregivers in the Pacific Northwest.

Product overview

BELONG Partners is a non-profit organization (formerly Sound Discipline) offering educational programs, professional development workshops, and training resources for schools and organizations. The core offerings include the DOOL (Designing Our Own Learning) youth empowerment program, the District Model for comprehensive school transformation, and various workshops (Reimagining Resilience 1 & 2, Rooted Relationships, Rooted Beginnings). Physical/digital products include Self-Regulation Tool Cards, the School Administrators' Guide, Pacing Guide, and Problem Solving Class Meetings Video. Additional services include MTSS Process for SEL, Personalized Coaching, School Partnerships, and Organizational Partnerships. The organization works with schools, districts, and community organizations to build equitable learning communities through trauma-informed, restorative, and social-emotional learning practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DOOL (Designing Our Own Learning): A youth-centered initiative that empowers students to take ownership of their learning by designing projects and experiences that reflect their interests, identities, and communities.
• District Model
• Rooted Relationships
• Reimagining Resilience
• Rooted Beginnings
• MTSS Process for SEL

Products and services

• DOOL (Designing Our Own Learning) A youth-centered program that brings students and teachers together to catalyze youth voice and co-create projects reflecting students' interests, identities, and communities, building social-emotional skills, equity awareness, and supportive relationships. Targeted at middle school students and their educators.
• Self-Regulation Tool Cards A set of 60+ hole-punched tool cards on cardstock designed to help individuals, students, and families practice self-regulation skills. Available in English and Spanish, with a free downloadable PDF offered by email capture.
• School Administrators' Guide A 60+ page manual integrating solution-focused discipline, trauma-informed practices, and data-driven systemic change to help administrators build equitable learning communities. Offered as a printed book or PDF download.
• Pacing Guide A 200+ page digital PDF that supports implementation of the BELONG Partners approach, including a month-by-month focus calendar on SEL topics, relationship development, adult mindsets, systems change resources, and Problem-Solving Class Meeting activities.
• Problem Solving Class Meetings Video A streaming video showing a BELONG Partners Problem Solving Class Meeting in action with 5th graders from Lakeridge Elementary School, demonstrating the impact on school culture and academic success.
• Reimagining Resilience 1 A two-session, four-hour trauma-informed training titled 'Understanding Trauma & Creating Safer Environments' that transforms trauma-aware theory into practical tools for connecting with young people. Delivered online and in-person for educators and youth-serving adults.
• Reimagining Resilience 2 A two-session, four-hour training titled 'Developing Firmness Tools' exploring how to hold young people accountable while maintaining respectful connection. Delivered online and in-person.
• Rooted Relationships A 15-hour, multi-session course (Growing Equitable Classroom Communities) that builds educator confidence in creating equitable learning environments where all students are engaged and contribute to problem-solving.
• Rooted Beginnings A 15-hour course (Cultivating Community and Fostering Independence in Early Childhood) providing foundational tools anchored in brain science, trauma/attachment theory, and SEL practices for early childhood educators, with STARS credit available.
• Parent & Caregiver Classes Introduction and Series workshops (including Parenting with Courage & Connection) teaching parents and caregivers approaches to get to the core of conflict and bring more peace and joy to their homes. Available online and in-person.
• MTSS Process for SEL A strengths-based Multi-Tiered Systems of Support approach for Social-Emotional Learning that assesses individual and classroom SEL strengths and lagging skills across four foundational domains (self-regulation, relationships, communication, problem-solving) via a two-phased screener, 4-session facilitation process, and menu of tiered interventions.
• Personalized Coaching One-on-one coaching sessions with experienced BELONG Partners Facilitators providing ideas, feedback, and support for individuals or small groups working with young people.
• School Partnerships Multi-year programs (Whole School partnership and Data Team School) that help educators transform schools into equitable learning communities through professional development, data teams, coaching, and support for integrating SEL practices, trauma-informed approaches, and restorative discipline.
• District Model A comprehensive, multi-year train-the-trainer partnership for school districts implementing culturally-responsive, trauma-informed practices that integrate discipline and social learning across multiple schools within a district or region, supported by regional coaches, professional development, data analysis, and sustainability planning.
• Organizational Partnerships Customized professional development and partnership programs for community organizations, agencies, nonprofits, PTAs, and foundations working to build equitable communities centered on the dignity, voice, and agency of young people.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88 data team meetings, 105+ classroom visits, 385 hours of direct professional development delivered to 4,000 students and 420 educators in Southern Oregon during 2022-23 school year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Brookings-Harbor School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Long-term District Model partnership since 2019, serving Kalmiopsis Elementary, Azalea Middle School, and Brookings-Harbor High School in Brookings, Oregon.
• Technology Access Foundation (TAF)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022DOOL youth presented at TAF's Network for Edwork 2022 Convening on Reclaiming Education Through Liberation. DOOL youth also presented at Decolonizing Education Conference.
• Technology Access Foundation (TAF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022DOOL youth designed and facilitated immersive workshop at TAF conference, sharing DOOL practices and mindsets for building equitable learning communities.
• Southern Oregon Educational Service District (SOESD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Regional partnership for systems-level trauma-responsive and social-emotional learning practices. Collaboratively developed the BELONG Partners District Model approach with train-the-trainer methodology. SOESD provides regional coaches to support implementation across multiple districts.
• Southern Oregon Regional Educator Network (SOREN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with defined aim of Safety, Significance, and Belonging for every person in schools. SOREN Implementation Coaches work alongside BELONG Partners facilitators to support regional schools in implementing trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices.
• Butte Falls School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019District Model partnership with Butte Falls Charter School in southern Oregon.
• Central Point School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019District Model partnership with Mae Richardson Elementary in Oregon.
• Grants Pass School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019District Model partnership with Redwood Elementary and Lincoln Elementary in Oregon.
• Klamath County School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019District Model partnership with Bonanza Elementary, Chiloquin Elementary, and Henley Elementary in Oregon.
• Associated Recreation Council (ARC)minorOthersPartner organization for youth development and recreation programs in the Seattle area.
• Casey Family ServicesminorOthersPartner providing services for children and families in the child welfare system.
• City Year Seattle-King CountyminorOthersAmeriCorps program partner providing students with academic and social-emotional support in schools.
• Kent Youth and Family ServicesminorOthersLocal youth and family services organization in Kent, Washington.
• King County Housing AuthorityminorOthersPartner supporting housing-insecure and homeless youth and families.
• King County Juvenile CourtminorOthersGovernment partner for youth involved in the justice system.
• MENTOR WashingtonminorOthersState affiliate of MENTOR focused on youth mentoring programs.
• Puget Sound Educational Service DistrictminorOthersRegional educational service district supporting schools in the Puget Sound region.
• Schools Out Washington (SOWA)minorOthersOrganization supporting expanded learning opportunities outside of school hours.
• Team ReadminorOthersYouth literacy and reading support program in Seattle schools.
• University of WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for educator training and professional development.
• YMCA of Greater SeattleminorOthersMajor community organization partner for youth development and family services.
• Youth Development Executives of King County (YDEKC)minorOthersNetwork supporting youth development professionals in King County.
• Auburn School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Terminal Park Elementary, Chinook Elementary, and Washington Elementary in Auburn, Washington.
• Federal Way School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sunnycrest Elementary and Silver Lake Elementary in Federal Way, Washington.
• Renton School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistrict Model partnership with 9 schools: Bryn Mawr Elementary, Campbell Hill Elementary, Highlands Elementary, Lakeridge Elementary, Sartori Elementary, Dimmitt Middle, McKnight Middle, Risdon Middle.
• Highline School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Midway Elementary in Seattle, Washington.
• Orcas Island School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Orcas Island Elementary, Middle, and High School on Orcas Island, Washington.
• Nooksack School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Nooksack Elementary, Sumas Elementary, Everson Elementary, and Nooksack Middle and High School in Washington.
• Tukwila School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Tukwila Elementary, Cascade View Elementary, Thorndyke Elementary, Showalter Middle School, and Foster High School in Tukwila, Washington.
• The Evergreen SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent school partner in Seattle where entire faculty participated in Rooted Relationship workshop. Made workshop prerequisite for all new faculty.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conscious Discipline: Trauma-informed, brain-based SEL and classroom management program for early childhood through adult learners. Highly comparable to BELONG's Rooted Beginnings and Reimagining Resilience workshops, with overlapping methodology and educator PD delivery model.
• Mindful Schools: Non-profit delivering mindfulness and SEL training, resources, and certification to K-12 educators. Comparable to BELONG's professional development and workshop offerings, with similar audience of teachers and school leaders.
• Turnaround for Children: Non-profit translating developmental neuroscience into supports for underserved schools, focused on trauma-informed practices, educator coaching, and school transformation. Closely aligned with BELONG's District Model and trauma-informed methodology.
• Search Institute: Non-profit developer of the Developmental Assets framework, widely used by schools and youth organizations to build belonging and SEL outcomes. Comparable to BELONG's focus on belonging, relationship-building, and youth voice in school settings.
• Committee for Children: Non-profit provider of Second Step, one of the most widely adopted K-8 SEL curricula in U.S. schools. Directly comparable to BELONG Partners as a non-profit delivering SEL programming to schools and districts, with a similar focus on elementary-age implementation.
• International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP): Provider of restorative practices training and certification for schools and youth-serving organizations. Overlaps directly with BELONG's restorative approach component and educator PD delivery model.
• Facing History and Ourselves: Non-profit providing equity-focused, social-emotional curriculum and professional development for K-12 educators. Comparable to BELONG's work integrating equity, SEL, and classroom culture transformation through PD partnerships with schools.
• Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (RULER): Academic-origin SEL framework (RULER) implemented in K-12 schools with evidence-based outcomes and train-the-trainer dissemination. Directly comparable to BELONG's MTSS for SEL approach, both serving schools seeking structured, evidence-backed SEL frameworks.

Emerging players

• Move This World: Provider of video-driven SEL curricula and PD for K-12 schools with measurable outcomes. Comparable to BELONG's MTSS for SEL approach and Problem Solving Class Meetings work, with similar district-level sales motion.

Broad incumbents

• CASEL: The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning — the field's leading standards and resource body for SEL in education. Acts as a broad incumbent/distributor in the same SEL-in-schools category where BELONG Partners operates its programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/belongpartners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/belong-partners
• Instagraminstagram.com/belongpartners
• Xx.com/belong_partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BELONG Partners