Child Welfare and Attendance - When "We've Tried Everything" Isn't the End: Shifting From "What Else Can We Try?" to "What Does This Student Need Right Now?" 11/17/2026
9:00 am - 11:00 am
When attendance concerns persist despite multiple interventions, school teams can feel stuck. This training explores how to review the support students and families actually received, understand readiness for change, and use Motivational Interviewing-informed communication and harm-reduction principles to identify meaningful next steps. A school-based case study and insights from our Mental Health and Substance Use units will connect these approaches to everyday practice.
Participants will leave with:
Practical questions and communication strategies to explore barriers, ambivalence, and readiness for change.
Ways to recognize meaningful progress while working toward consistent attendance.
Strategies to maintain connection and focus on what educators can influence when progress remains limited.
A brief checklist and reflection tool to review support, identify gaps, and coordinate next steps.
Event Details
Audience
District and Charter Student Support Services staff, Child Welfare and Attendance staff, School Counselors/Social Workers, and any staff supporting Student Attendance and/or School Climate.
Facilitator(s)
Marie-Helene Demers, Courtney Matz Andres Castro, Toni Banuelos Valentina Troupe, Kevin Given
