Embedded Files
Engaging Families in the importance of Attendance
GHC requires that:
· Family Support Specialist will provide information to GHC families regarding the importance and benefits of regular attendance.
· FSS will manage systematic program attendance by completing CARES and Earlybird System.
· FSS will track & monitor regular attendance using the CARES and Earlybird Data System.
· FSS will case note efforts and interactions with parents regarding daily attendance.
· FSS will follow program regulations for families that break attendance policies and procedures.
Breaches/Provisions in Policy
· If a child ceases to attend the program after all appropriate efforts have been met to reengage the family GHC must consider that slot vacant.
Absence Report Form(1).docATTENDANCE POWERPOINT.pptxEntering Daily Attendance
Attendance/Absence Guidance: 1. FSS is responsible for entering daily attendance records into the CARES and Earlybird database as well as preparing weekly attendance reports, supporting the teaching teams with follow-up related to any absences, and submitting to attendance to the ERSEA Manager (see Attendance Report for instructions).
Coding Attendance
The following codes are used to track attendance daily
P – Present: arrived and attended a scheduled day of the program
E – Entry into the program, child's first day
U – Unexcused: to only be used after consulting the ERSEA Manager
Supporting Families with Attendance
If contact is made, staff responsible for recording and reporting attendance will:
Consider family engagement, how the family has been engaged in the importance of their child’s attendance and their participation in the program.
Emphasize the necessity of regular attendance; review the family agreement signed by the family and staff at the initial education home visit.
Use resources located at attendanceworks.org for parents and staff.
The staff member responsible for the child/family attendance will schedule a case review with the staff members involved. This meeting will be conducted to generate ideas for supporting and serving the family. Discuss any special family circumstances influencing attendance.
Formulate a plan to improve attendance and, discuss action steps needed, follow up on action steps weekly.
Consider another option, such as a transfer to another program; follow the transfer plan, complete the ERSEA Status Change/Plan form, and work with the required staff until a matching opening occurs.
Document all real-time contact and/or attempts to contact thoroughly.
The staff member responsible for the child/family attendance will follow up with the family daily/weekly as needed once the child is in attendance to support and engage the family in their child’s improved attendance and ongoing participation in the program.
Supporting Attendance of Homeless Children
To support homeless children and families, Chicago Commons requires Subrecipients and Partners to allow the child to attend for up to 30 days or as long as allowed under state licensing requirements, without immunization and other records, to give the family reasonable time to present appropriate documentation. Family Support staff must work with families to get children immunized as soon as possible.
If a homeless child cannot attend classes regularly because the family does not have transportation to and from the site, the site is required to utilize community resources, where possible, to provide transportation for the child.
Dropping A Child for Attendance
If contact cannot be made, staff responsible for recording and reporting attendance will notify the Family Support or ERSEA Manager, and the following steps will be followed:
Send a registered letter that includes a “respond by” date giving the family five (5) days to contact Early Childhood Program to discuss their Child's attendance.
If the family responds, the staff responsible for recording and reporting attendance will work with the family to find solutions to the attendance problem.
If the letter is delivered and there is no response within five business days, the client will be dropped from the program, and the slot will be filled.
If the letter is returned as “Undeliverable”, the child will be dropped from the program, and the slot will be filled.
In cases where a child attends less than 85% consistently during a month, the staff members assigned to the family will contact the family and follow up.
In the event of prolonged, serious documented illness or extenuating family circumstances, an individual determination regarding the child's enrollment in the program may be made with input from the client’s Teacher(s) and/or other staff involved.
Filling Slot Vacancies
If regular attendance cannot be established, another child on the waiting list must be given the opportunity to enroll in the program. Families should be given every opportunity to establish regular attendance and be withdrawn from the program only when they are unwilling or unable to establish regular attendance. Family support staff must be contacted when a family is being considered for withdrawal from the program.
All efforts are made to maintain 85% average daily attendance. The Center Director will monitor the recording of attendance in the electronic tracking system. If the attendance of the program drops below 85%, the Center Director will analyze the reasons documented in the electronic tracking system for individual sites. Staff will identify any systematic issues that may be contributing to the absentee rate. These issues will be discussed, an Action Plan will be developed, and support will be provided to the family support staff at the individual site to address the absenteeism. Monthly Attendance reports are required by GHC grantors DFSS and Chicago Commons
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse