Chronic Absenteeism Initiative
Focused on improving student attendance, Every Day Counts is a new citywide initiative designed to reverse the trend of chronic absenteeism in Chicago through collaboration, innovation, and bold action.
Our Goal
Over the next five years, A Better Chicago is partnering with communities across the city to meaningfully reduce chronic absenteeism in Chicago. We will begin our work by focusing on improving attendance among students in six Chicago communities—Austin, Englewood, Garfield Park, South Lawndale, South Shore, and Woodlawn. These neighborhoods are home to strong families, schools, and community organizations, yet face disproportionate challenges with student attendance. Reversing the trend is essential to ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
Every Day Counts is guided by a Three-Pillar Framework:
Be Here
Ensuring students have the necessary supports to attend school consistently
Belong Here
Fostering environments where students feel seen, valued, and connected to peers and adults in their schools and communities
Thrive Here
Equipping students with the tools to shape their learning and take ownership of their futures
Initial Investments
Four Chicago-based organizations were selected to receive inaugural
grants totaling $1.75 million during the first year of the initiative:
$500,000 grant:
In the Austin community, BUILD will embed a school-based team at Spencer Technology Academy to provide mentoring, after-school programming, clinical therapy, family engagement, and case management.
$500,000 grant:
In South Lawndale (Little Village), Enlace Chicago will work across seven schools to implement a model combining family support, mental health services, and culturally responsive therapy.
$500,000 grant:
In Garfield Park, Illinois Action for Children will expand its Community Connections model with embedded case managers to identify attendance barriers and connect families to supports.
$258,000 grant:
In South Lawndale (Little Village), The Alliance 98 will partner with High School for Social Justice to connect chronically absent high school students with paid employment opportunities aligned to their career goals.