In partnership with the Hennepin County be@school truancy prevention program, CASCW is excited to bring you a three-part webinar series in place of the annual in-person conference that is typically held in the Summer. This three-part series will take place across the month of August and will feature key topics facing students, families, school staff, and child welfare staff in Minnesota.
Part One: Inequitable School Absenteeism Policies: Causes, Consequences, and Strategies for Reform
In many school districts, White students get their tardies and absences excused more often than do students of color. In this webinar we document the scope of the inequity in five large Minnesota school districts, describe how it is caused by normal, day-to-day implementation of colorblind attendance policies, and suggest some initial remedies. The presentation will be followed by breakout sessions to develop and share additional ideas for immediate and long-term strategies to eliminate the structural racism embedded in attendance policies.
Clea McNeely, DrPH, has been studying truancy policies and interventions in Ramsey County, Minnesota since 2015. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Justice and the Spencer Foundation.
Part Two: Making it Work: Serving Students with Disabilities During COVID-19
Join us for a closer look at special education for students with disabilities during COVID-19. This presentation will include a brief overview of the legal framework schools operate within, including an update on the most recent COVID-19 guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education. With our colleague, Christina Gonzalez, we take a pragmatic look at how schools and service providers are getting it right based on real-world examples. We will also discuss the challenges schools are facing. Please bring your questions and big ideas for making it work!
Laura Tubbs Booth, Attorney, Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A.
Elizabeth M. Meske, Associate Attorney, Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A.
Christina Gonzalez, LCSW, Director of Student Support Services, Richfield Public Schools
Part Three: Education Partnerships for County-Involved Youth During COVID-19
Join us for a closer look at special education for students with disabilities during COVID-19. This presentation will include a brief overview of the legal framework schools operate within, including an update on the most recent COVID-19 guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education. With our colleague, Christina Gonzalez, we take a pragmatic look at how schools and service providers are getting it right based on real-world examples. We will also discuss the challenges schools are facing. Please bring your questions and big ideas for making it work!
Lynne Penke, Youth Education, Hennepin County Health and Human Services
