Chronic Absenteeism & Truancy Support (CATS)
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Helping families overcome barriers, improve school attendance, and keep students connected to school.
The CATS program works with Sandusky County youth and families experiencing chronic absenteeism or truancy. Through individualized planning, school-family communication, practical support, and accountability, CATS helps families identify barriers to attendance and build strategies that support long-term school success.
What is CATS?
CATS stands for Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Support. The program works with youth and families to improve school attendance while identifying and addressing barriers that may be getting in the way of regularly attending school.
CATS may help families with:
- Building stronger school attendance habits
- Improving communication between families and schools
- Creating an individualized Attendance Support Plan
- Addressing barriers such as transportation, routines, technology, housing instability, behavior, or other family needs that affect attendance
- Connecting families with additional community resources when needed
Who Can Participate?
CATS serves youth ages 5–17 who are enrolled in a Sandusky County school or are Sandusky County residents attending an online school.
Youth participating in CATS are experiencing chronic absenteeism or an active truancy concern, and families are expected to actively participate in developing and carrying out an attendance plan.
What Happens in CATS?
- We Get to Know Your Family
CATS staff meet with the youth and parent/caregiver to learn what is affecting attendance and what supports may help. - We Create a Plan Together
The family and CATS staff develop an individualized plan with clear attendance goals, expectations, and strategies. - We Stay Connected
CATS may use school meetings, attendance tracking, family check-ins, positive reminders, appointment follow-up, and incentives to help youth make progress. - We Work With Your School
Communication between the family, school, CATS staff, and referring partners helps everyone work from the same plan. - We Plan for Continued Success
Most families participate for approximately 3–6 months. After successful completion, CATS continues follow-up at 30, 60, and 90 days to help make sure progress continues.
Supporting Parents & Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an important role in improving school attendance. As part of CATS, families may participate in parent and caregiver sessions designed to provide practical tools, encouragement, and support.
Topics may include:
- Creating stronger morning and evening routines
- Setting expectations and following through
- Improving parent/youth communication
- Working effectively with your child’s school
- Understanding chronic absenteeism and truancy
- Addressing school avoidance
- Helping children manage barriers that make getting to school difficult
- Connecting with community resources and other supports
Attendance Help & Resources
Understanding Attendance
- Attendance Works
Information and tools for families about chronic absence and the importance of regular school attendance. - Stay in the Game! Network
Family and caregiver resources focused on helping students stay connected and engaged in school.
Ohio Family & Attendance Resources
- Ohio Department of Education & Workforce – Parent Resources
- Ohio Attendance & Engagement Resources
- Ohio Attendance Dashboard – View Your School’s Data
- Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center
When Going to School Is Hard
Need Help or Have Questions?
Have questions about CATS or your family’s participation in the program? Contact:
Allison Hill
Wraparound Facilitator
567-201-0988
Email Allison
Find Your School
Select your school district below to visit its website and parent resources.
CATS is a collaborative program — not simply a court program.
CATS bring together local partners to support students and families throughout Sandusky County.
