Families and the community are vital to ensure the success of every child in DC. Please use the materials on this page to support student attendance in your family and community.
- Community Checklist [PDF]
- Every Day Counts! Attendance Tutorials Four recorded informational tutorials on chronic absenteeism in D.C., citywide attendance policies, strategies to support improved attendance, and family engagement)
- OSSE’s Attendance and Truancy Resources (This guide explains the District’s policies regarding attendance and truancy as well as provides vital information about resources.)
- DCPS Student Attendance and Support (This page explains DCPS’ attendance policies. For information about public charter school s’ attendance policies, please visit their individual websites.)
Additionally, you can find more information and resources on the following topics below:
- Attendance and Truancy
- Child Care
- Counseling and Mental Health
- Enrollment
- Family and Parenting Support
- Health
- Housing
- Transportation
Attendance and Truancy
ACCESS Youth
Phone: (202) 652-0287
Website: www.accessyouthinc.org
ACCESS Youth provides a range of programs and services for at-risk juveniles. Developing skills and fostering friendships, ACCESS Youth combines the benefits of mentorship and mediation in dynamic and engaging summer and after school programs.
DC ReEngagement Center
Address: 4058 Minnesota Avenue NE, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 671-2539
Website: backontrackdc.osse.dc.gov/about
The ReEngagement Center is a “single-door” through which youth ages 16-24 who have dropped out can reconnect back to educational options and other critical services to support their attainment of a high school diploma or GED. Services provided: assessing academic status and non-academic needs of youth and using this information to help them develop individualized education plans; identifying good-fit educational options; supporting the re-enrollment process (e.g., collecting required documents, accompanying youth on site visits, connecting to resources that will address reconnection barriers); and providing ongoing support for at least one year once re-enrolled.
Parent and Adolescent Support Services (PASS) – Department of Human Services (DHS)
Address: 64 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 671-4200
Website: dhs.dc.gov/service/parent-and-adolescent-support-pass
DHS’ Parent and Adolescent Support Services serve DC families of youth who are committing status offenses. Status offenses include truancy, running away, curfew violations and extreme disobedience, among other behaviors that are illegal for young people under the age of 18.
Show Up, Stand Out
Phone: (202) 727-1700
Website: www.showupstandout.org
Show Up, Stand Out is a free program from the DC Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG). The program helps parents to get their kids to school every day and help to solve the problem of truancy in DC schools. If your child has five unexcused absences, this program is for you. While Show Up, Stand Out is sponsored by the DC government, all emails, visits, and phone calls are confidential. Our team members are here to help parents get their kids to attend school and to help with problems that hinder their attendance.
Child Care
OSSE DC Child Care Connections
Phone: (202) 829-2500
Website: childcareconnections.osse.dc.gov
DC Child Care Connections is a searchable list of licensed child care providers in DC that meet your specific criteria such as type of care, age of child, location, services needed and more. Check the options that apply to you and then click on "view results" to obtain the list of referred providers. You can adjust your selections and re-run the search as often as you need. The more specific you are, the fewer providers will be listed.
Department of Human Services Child Care Subsidy Program
Address: 4001 South Capitol Street SW, Washington, DC 20032
Phone: (202) 724-0284
Website: dhs.dc.gov/node/120852
The Child Care Subsidy Program helps low-income families pay child care fees. The subsidy is based on an assessment of need, income and family size. Parents must visit the Child Care Services Division to apply for assistance. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for appointments. Limited walk-in visits for new applicants are available on a “first come, first serve” basis: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 8:15 am - 3:30 pm. Applicants are encouraged to call to schedule an appointment, Monday-Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Counseling and Mental Health
Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)
Phone: (202) 671-0388
Website: dbh.dc.gov
DBH provides prevention, intervention and treatment services and supports for children, youth and adults with mental and/or substance use disorders including emergency psychiatric care and community-based outpatient and residential services. DBH serves eligible adults, children and youth and their families through a network of community based providers and unique government delivered services.
Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS)
Phone: (202) 481-1450
Website: www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/ChAMPS
Call for help with immediate on-site assistance for children and youth ages 6 to 21 facing a behavioral or mental health crisis in the home, school, or community.
Enrollment
Enrolling Your Child in School
Phone: (202) 727-6436
Website: osse.dc.gov/service/enrollment-and-residency
District of Columbia residents are entitled to a free public education if documentation is provided that verifies their residency status. DC public schools are required to report suspected cases of residency fraud to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) immediately. In some cases, non-residents may attend DC public schools, but they must pay tuition after meeting established criteria. In addition, in order to be accepted/admitted as a non-resident, schools should not have any residents on its waiting list.
MySchoolDC
Phone: (202) 888-6336
Website: www.myschooldc.org
DC residents have many public school options. MySchool DC, in partnership with DCPS and almost all DC public charter schools, makes it easier for families to take advantage of these choices.
Family and Parenting Support
Neighborhood Collaboratives
There are five Neighborhood Collaboratives operating in DC. Each Collaborative draws on the unique capabilities and services found within its network of service providers to assist at-risk children and families. There is a set of core neighborhood-based prevention services that each Collaborative provides. Services are provided by ward:
| Neighborhood Collaborative | Ward(s) Served | Address | Phone | Website | Examples of Services Provided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collaborative Solutions for Communities (formerly Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative) | 1,2 | 3333 14th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20010 | (202) 518-6737 | www.chsfsc.org | Home-based visitation, family advocacy, family group decision making meetings, truancy prevention and intervention |
| Georgia Avenue Family Support Collaborative | 4 | 4420 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011 | (202) 722-1815 | www.gafsc-dc.org | Parent empowerment, family rehousing and stabilization program, K-8 truancy program |
| Edgewood/ Brookland Family Support Collaborative | 5,6 | 611 Edgewood Street NE, Suite 106, Washington, DC 20017 | (202) 832-9400 | www.ebfsc.org | Family preservation, case management services |
| East River Family Strengthening Collaborative | 7 | 3917 Minnesota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20019 | (202) 397-7300 | www.erfsc.org |
Crisis intervention, workforce development, parenting empowerment, housing assistance, youth activities, financial education classes, community engagement |
| Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, Inc | 8 | 1501 Half Street, Suite 31, Washington, DC 20024 | (202) 889-1425 | www.fsfsc.org | Family support services, housing assistance, men and boys program, youth after-care |
Common Sense Parent Training (THEARC and Children’s Health Project of DC)
Address: 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, Suite 104, Washington, DC 20020
Phone: (202) 678-6500 or (202) 436-3076
Website: www.thearcdc.org
Through the training, participants learn how to communicate effectively and avoid power struggles with their children, give positive attention, stay calm in frustrating situations, balance discipline with affection and praise their children’s good behavior. The following services are also offered: parent resources library, parenting classes, grandparent support group.
Mary’s Center
Address: 2333 Ontario Road, NW, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 483-8196
Website: www.maryscenter.org
Mary’s Center provides a Father-Child Program, which is designed to help men develop the attitude, knowledge, and skills to become involved in and connected to their children’s lives. Father-Child has three main components: home visits, sports activities, and monthly fatherhood outings. During home visits, fathers receive social support services, training, and advocacy services. Sports activities are designed to promote healthy habits and behaviors among fathers.
Health
Asthma: Children’s National IMPACT DC
Phone: (202) 476-3970
Website:childrensnational.org/departments/asthma-impact-dc
IMPACT DC is a pediatric asthma program dedicated to improving asthma care and outcomes for children through clinical care, education, research, and advocacy. One of IMPACT DC’s main goals is to lessen the need for emergency room visits and hospital stays by educating patients and families about ways to manage the condition, and connecting them with valuable resources in the local community.
Department of Health (DOH) Infants, Children, Teens and School Health
Phone: (202) 442-5925
Website:doh.dc.gov/service/infants-children-teens-and-school-health
DOH operates a number of programs to ensure that infants, children and teens are equipped with the necessary tools and services to make them successful at home, in school, and in their communities. Visit the website or call for more information on: dental services, immunizations, free pregnancy test and birth control, newborn screening and various other health related topics.
DC Healthy Families (Health Insurance)
Phone: (202) 639-4030
Website: dhcf.dc.gov/service/dc-healthy-families
DC Healthy Families is a program that provides free health insurance to DC residents who meet certain income and US citizenship or eligible immigration status to qualify for DC Medicaid. The DC Healthy Families program covers doctor visits, vision and dental care, prescription drugs, hospital stays, and transportation for appointments. DC Healthy Families also offers special programs for newborn babies, children with disabilities or special health care needs, and people with HIV or AIDS.
Housing
Department of Human Services (DHS) – Family Services Administrations (FSA)
Address: 64 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 399-7093 (24-hour Shelter Hotline)
Website: dhs.dc.gov/page/family-services
FSA features the Homeless Services Program and administers the following housing-related social service programs and grants: emergency rental assistance program, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing program, homeless services, permanent supportive housing program, temporary shelter, and transitional shelter.
Transportation
Kids Ride Free
Phone: (202) 673-1740
Website: ddot.dc.gov/page/school-transit-subsidy-program
Kids Ride Free offers free or reduced fares for District students who use Metrobus, the DC Circulator, or Metrorail to travel to and from school and school-related activities. The program is available to students enrolled in DC public, public charter, and private schools. The program relies on an electronic pass that is loaded onto a student’s DC One Card.