In 2021, Seneca and Valor Collegiate Academies co-developed a holistic short-term wraparound model to reduce chronic absenteeism. After a successful three-year pilot in Valor's three Nashville schools, Seneca was awarded an Education, Innovation, and Research (EIR) grant from the US Department of Education. The grant is designed to allow promising practices to expand their programming and to conduct rigorous research to evaluate their efficacy. The Los Angeles charter network Alliance signed on to partner with us and in the fall of 2024 we launched Compass Care partnerships at Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy (VRLA) middle school and Smidt Tech high school. At each of those schools, we have an embedded Compass Care Wellness Coach who serves a caseload of 15 chronically absent students and their families per cycle. Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% or more of school days. Intervention cycles are 10-11 weeks, with an opportunity to extend for students/families who need longer-term support. Since the causes of chronic absenteeism are so varied (including challenges with transportation, motivation, physical or mental health in students or family members, etc.), Compass Care staff provide customized, individualized supports tailored to each student and family.
Partnering with the team at VRLA has been a delight. This is a dynamic and deeply committed school staff and community. Our Compass Care Tier 3 attendance supports are integrated within the school's thoughtful MTSS supports and family engagement efforts. The VRLA community is oriented toward whole-student and whole-family wellness, hosting many community events and linking families with needed resources to promote equity, wellness, opportunity, and joy throughout their community. Please see the 'Staff Highlight' section for more information about our outstanding Compass Care Wellness Coach at VRLA, Danni Estrella Rojo. She has done powerful work in deeply connecting with students and families, learning about their hopes, dreams, and goals, as well as their struggles. With a heartful, empathic presence and a deep expertise in all aspects of case management, Danni is able to find and connect families to resources that impact their lives in a profound, positive way.
Partnering with the team at VRLA has been a delight. This is a dynamic and deeply committed school staff and community. Our Compass Care Tier 3 attendance supports are integrated within the school's thoughtful MTSS supports and family engagement efforts. The VRLA community is oriented toward whole-student and whole-family wellness, hosting many community events and linking families with needed resources to promote equity, wellness, opportunity, and joy throughout their community. Please see the 'Staff Highlight' section for more information about our outstanding Compass Care Wellness Coach at VRLA, Danni Estrella Rojo. She has done powerful work in deeply connecting with students and families, learning about their hopes, dreams, and goals, as well as their struggles. With a heartful, empathic presence and a deep expertise in all aspects of case management, Danni is able to find and connect families to resources that impact their lives in a profound, positive way.
Blog By: Jason Keppe, Director of School Partnerships
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