Transformative solution to chronic absenteeism expands nationally for 2024-25 school year
Summary
Over 300 underrepresented students will be enrolled in the program thats designed to address their individual needs, strengthen the support they have at home and re-engage them in school.Chronic absenteeism is a national epidemic. Whether those are based in aspects of the school system or other barriers at home, the advocates are prepared for circumstances that range from academic or mental health challenges to concerns for safety to a lack of reliable transportation. "Already the recipient of a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Compass Care is hoping to change the national conversation about school attendance that goes beyond the classroom to create a more educated, family-centered, future-focused community.Daren Dickson, Chief Culture Officer and Co-Founder of Valor Collegiate Academies, says, "At Valor we have been very concerned about the persistent chronic absenteeism rates in schools across the country, including our own. "Seneca was founded in Oakland, California, in 1985 in response to an emerging crisis: children and young people with the most complex needs and unaddressed trauma were being repeatedly failed by multiple siloed public systems intended to support them. Senecas foundational mission to do whatever it takes to bring multiple systems together to address the needs of the whole child has driven the agencys evolution into one of the largest West Coast-based youth-serving behavioral health nonprofits, operating programs across 18 counties in California and two in Washington State.