88th Annual CASCWA State Conference: Full Schedule

9:30am PDT

Chronic Absenteeism: A Psychosocial Perspective FILLING

Monday April 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am PDT

As we continue to analyze and evaluate various strategies to combat chronic absenteeism within our student populations, Micha Saenz and Gabby Britt review the multiple barriers to school attendance, vulnerable student populations, and how chronic stress contributes to chronic absenteeism. They will also provide in-depth and invaluable strategies to assist school districts in developing strategic plans to support their students in multiple domains. In this presentation, they will offer comprehensive school-wide approaches and interventions to support students by removing barriers, providing targeted support, and accessing necessary, school-based and community-based resources

Speakers

Gabby Britt

Social Worker, Kern High School District

I am a school social worker for the Kern High School District, housed at the district office. I am responsible for working with the McKinney-Vento students and families within the KHSD. I provide resources and facilitate linkage to assist students and families in meeting their... Read More →

Monday April 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

Attendance

12:15pm PDT

Keynote Speaker Luncheon and Model SARB Awards Ceremony FILLING

Monday April 28, 2025 12:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Sponsors

EveryDay Labs

Attendance Improvement

EveryDay Labs unites behavioral science, data science, and family engagement strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism while equipping educators with a game plan to optimize attendance work districtwide. EveryDay Labs serves over 1.5 million students and provides the only attendance... Read More →

Monday April 28, 2025 12:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

2:30pm PDT

Attendance: Ask The Experts: Model SARB Panel

Monday April 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:45pm PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Feedback Survey

While chronic absenteeism has been a “hot topic” for the past few years, the pandemic thrust school attendance into the spotlight and pushed educational leaders to reexamine their systems of support in order to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism rates. The Model School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Recognition Program identifies and recognizes outstanding and innovative multi-tiered school attendance improvement programs at the district or county level. This workshop will include a panel of Model SARB awardees who will share strategies and best practices for implementing multi-tiered systems of support for attendance and encouraging collaborative, non-punitive approaches to engaging with students and families.

Speakers

Jennifer Gomeztrejo

Co-founder, Educational Consultant, Student Support Services Solutions, Inc.

Student Support Services Solutions (S4) is an educational consulting group that provides coaching, training and technical support to school districts, parents, students and community members as it relates to the California Education Code and other laws affecting student services and... Read More →

Monday April 28, 2025 2:30pm - 3:45pm PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

Attendance

7:30am PDT

Breakfast FILLING

Tuesday April 29, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Tuesday April 29, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

8:30am PDT

The Power of SART

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Feedback Survey

Learn how to make the most of a SART meeting at your site to explore barriers to attendance and engage students, staff, and family members in effectively identifying and committing to interventions to address barriers.

Speakers

Sasha Lubkin

TSA - Attendance, San Ramon Valley Unified School District

I am a California licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and hold a pupil personnel services credential for school social work as well as an administrative services credential. Prior to working in education, I provided case management and substance abuse treatment for parolees and... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

Attendance

10:00am PDT

Attendance: MTSS Tiers of Intervention: Addressing Absenteeism in High School LIMITED

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Feedback Survey

Taking a closer look into Sequoia Union High School District’s (SUHSD) planning and development of a secondary student engagement service structure. This session will include perspectives from both district and site levels on the development and implementation of SUHSD’s tiered interventions to address the often complicated barriers to high school student engagement. SUHSD is a 2024 Model SARB awardee.

Speakers

Jarrett Dooley

Executive Director of Student Services, Sequoia Union High School District

Mr. Dooley has served in the Student Services Department at SUHSD for eight years. He has previous experience as a principal, assistant principal, athletic director, teacher, and coach for grades 6-12. He brings over 20 years of education experience in his work with students and staff... Read More →

Shana Karashima

MTSS Coordinator, Sequoia Union High School District

Maribel Orozsco

Mental Health Caseworker, Sequoia Union High School District

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

Attendance

11:30am PDT

Keynote Speaker Luncheon and CASCWA Awards LIMITED

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:30am - 1:30pm PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Sponsors

Sown to Grow

SEL Provider

Sown To Grow empowers schools to improve student social, emotional, and academic well-being through an engaging reflection and feedback process. In a short weekly routine, students check-in emotionally and are invited to share. Admin access real-time reporting on students’ emotions... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 11:30am - 1:30pm PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

1:45pm PDT

Understanding Section 504

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Feedback Survey

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a function of general education. As a result, many of the general education staff responsible for implementing the Section 504 requirements lack the specialized training typically associated with special education, even though there are comparable procedural requirements as those found in special education. This training provides an overview of the Section 504 process, including eligibility, assessment, and child find requirements. This training is ideal for Section 504 Coordinators and any staff responsible for implementing Section 504 at school sites.

Speakers

Dora Dome

Attorney at Law, Dora Dome Law

Dora J. Dome has practiced Education Law for over 28 years, primarily in the areas of student issues and special education. She currently provides legal representation to school districts on student issues and develops and conducts professional development trainings for district staff... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:45pm - 3:00pm PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

Attendance

3:15pm PDT

Reengaging, Redirecting, Reinforcing: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism Through Expanded Learning Partnership FILLING

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Feedback Survey

Chronic absenteeism poses a significant obstacle to student success and overall academic performance. Nevertheless, through strategic partnerships and expanded learning initiatives, schools can effectively confront this challenge and cultivate a culture of consistent attendance and active participation.

In this interactive workshop, participants will delve into the innovative approaches spearheaded by the Garvey School District in collaboration with expanded learning provider, Woodcraft Rangers. Together, they have established a comprehensive network of support and opportunities aimed at engaging and retaining students. From developing community and culturally tailored programs to providing immediate assistance for unhoused or foster youth, the partnership between Garvey and Woodcraft has capitalized on their respective strengths to optimize student engagement.

Speakers

Bulmaro Magallon

Director of Family Services, Garvey School District

Danny Salas

Chief Program Officer, Woodcraft Rangers

Danny Salas, Chief Program Officer, Woodcraft Rangers, leads diverse expanded learning programs, overseeing a team of directors, program managers, and 850+ site coordinators and club leaders. Instrumental in the formation of partnerships that support inclusion of neurodiverse and... Read More →

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

Attendance

7:30am PDT

Breakfast FILLING

Wednesday April 30, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Wednesday April 30, 2025 7:30am - 8:15am PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

8:30am PDT

Building the Foundation for Success: Early Identification, Intervention, and Best Practices for Attendance Strategies

Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Feedback Survey

Proactive attendance strategies and early interventions are vital for fostering student success. This session will focus on identifying at risk patterns of chronic absenteeism early in the school year and implementing best practices to promote consistent attendance. Attendees will gain practical tools aligned with CASCWA’s mission to enhance equity, integrate multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and strengthen engagement with students and families. Designed for school and district administrators, support staff, and communities, this workshop provides actionable insights to help districts achieve their Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals while expanding professional learning communities across California and beyond.

Speakers

Andres Castro

Senior Program Specialist, Child Welfare & Attendance, Los Angeles County Office of Education

Dr. Andres Castro serves as Senior Program Specialist for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. With a robust background in educational leadership and student support, they have previously dedicated 8 years as a school counselor and have excelled as a district administrator... Read More →

Toni Banuelos LCSW

Senior Program Specialist-Child Welfare & Attendance, Los Angeles County Office of Education

Toni Banuelos brings over two decades of dedicated service to youth and families in the education and social services sectors. She currently serves as a Senior Program Specialist in the Child Welfare and Attendance Unit at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), where... Read More →

Courtney Matz PhD

Senior Program Specialist, LACOE

Courtney Matz, Ph D, is a Senior Program Specialist in the Child Welfare and Attendance Unit with the Los Angeles County Office of Education. She has worked in the field of Education for over 15 years as both a School Counselor and School Psychologist. In addition, she has taught... Read More →

Wednesday April 30, 2025 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

Attendance

10:00am PDT

Section 504 Beyond Basics: Compliance, Nuances & More LIMITED

Wednesday April 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT

Santa Rosa Ballroom

Feedback Survey

This presentation will focus on the legal requirements under Section 504 and the nuances in evaluations, writing Section 504 plans, supporting students with unique needs, and ensuring equal access for students with disabilities. This presentation will propose student-driven hypothetical scenarios to test your knowledge in applying Section 504 requirements in practical situations.

Speakers

Gabrielle E. Ortiz

Senior Associate, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Gabrielle Ortiz represents California public school districts, charter schools, county offices of education, and special education local plan areas with a concentration in special education and student issues. Her practice focuses on advising clients under the IDEA, Section 504, and... Read More →

Wednesday April 30, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am PDT
Santa Rosa Ballroom

At Promise Youth