Convey the importance of going to school every day: Infuse messaging about good attendance in as many opportunities as possible, particularly during back-to-school family events. Help make the connection between attendance and a family’s hopes and dreams for their child.

Help parents get kids to school: In housing developments, ask your site coordinators and property managers to keep an eye out for children who aren’t in school. Talk to families about why students are missing class to understand barriers to attendance. Consider developing partnerships with public health, transportation, or other agencies to help families overcome common challenges that can prevent students from getting to school. These challenges include asthma, mold or environmental hazards, trauma, and unsafe pathways to school. Engage residents in locally supported solutions, such as forming a walking school bus to bring students safely to school. 

Leverage after-school and summer programming to improve school attendance: Work with after-school and summer programming staff to engage in messaging about the importance of attendance including helping families know when school starts.

Maintain housing stability throughout the school year: When possible, schedule changes in housing vouchers or public housing for summer, so that children don’t have to move mid-year.

Partner with schools: Create data-sharing agreements with local school districts that allow for tracking grades, test scores and attendance for students in your projects or housing vouchers. Or join a coalition taking a community-wide approach to reducing chronic absence.

Engage community-based service providers: Share attendance materials and resources with the community-based organizations that provide services to the families living in housing.