2O: Reframing Absenteeism: A Neighborhood Strategy to Improve Student Outcomes

This session will highlight a mindset shift from a school focused approach to addressing chronic absenteeism to a holistic, neighborhood approach. Participants will be introduced to a neighborhood-level theory for change, emphasizing the importance of community context in problem-solving and developing interventions. Participants will also learn about various neighborhood interventions tested to date, offering practical examples of alternative strategies to drive meaningful outcomes. This is a focus pilot in partnership between Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC).Based upon Census data on poverty, income, education, health coverage, and housing conditions, families and students in the 2 identified structurally disadvantaged neighborhoods are known to have a higher prevalence of barriers that contribute to increased chronic absenteeism and poor academic outcomes.