"The reality is an absence is an absence, excused or not, and that child is not in that classroom benefiting from the instruction on that day. We have to work in our community, with our schools and our families to build a culture of attendance," said Ralph Smith, Executive Vice President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Policies that help parents keep kids in school include:
- Family leave for parents
- Effective transportation systems
- Attention to bullying
- Collecting the right data and working with families to identify barriers to school attendance
Learn more about encouraging school attendance by watching Reducing Chronic Absenteeism: Every Day Counts, a video featuring Utah students, and by reading this Voices for Utah Children Report: Attendance and the Early Grades: A Two-Generation Issue.
For 30 years now, Voices for Utah Children has called on our state, federal and local leaders to put children’s needs first. But the work is not done. The children of 30 years ago now have children of their own. Too many of these children are growing up in poverty, without access to healthcare or quality educational opportunities.
How can you be involved?
Make a tax-deductible donation to Voices for Utah Children—or join our Network with a monthly donation of $20 or more. Network membership includes complimentary admission to Network events with food, socializing, and opportunity to meet child advocacy experts. And don't forget to join our listserv to stay informed!
We look forward to the future of Voices for Utah Children and we hope you will be a part of our next 30 years.
Special thanks to American Express for sponsoring our 30th Anniversary Year. 
