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Acknowledgements

Thank you to the organizations and individuals who helped create the California Attendance Guide.

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Acknowledgements

Our thanks go to the following:

Attendance Works External link opens in new window or tab. , including Hedy Chang, executive director and founder; Cecelia Leong, vice president for programs; and, Helen Duffy, senior fellow, for contributing their national expertise and deep knowledge of what works to improve attendance and engagement;

Sujie Shin at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence External link opens in new window or tab. for her comprehensive grasp of California’s technical assistance infrastructure and System of Support;

Jenny Scala and Sarah Frazelle at the American Institutes for Research External link opens in new window or tab. for their keen and skillful facilitation of the process;

Members of the Chronic Absence Working Group and reviewers, including:

  • California Department of Education
    • Richard Barrera, Chair of the Chronic Absence Working Group
    • Ingrid Roberson, Chief Deputy Superintendent
    • David Schapira, Chief Deputy Superintendent
    • Erika Torres
    • Liz Sanders
    • Dominick Robinson
    • Teri Alves
    • Jenna Anderson
    • Michael Funk
    • Michael Ishimoto
    • Cindy Kazanis
    • Amaranta Marcelos
    • Betty Miura
    • Kimberly Mundhenk
    • Anissa Sonnenberg
  • Kordell Hampton, ACSA
  • Erin Simon, Bellflower Unified School District
  • Sheri Hanni, Butte County Office of Education
  • Rindy DeVoll, Butte County Office of Education
  • Dwight Bonds, CAAASA
  • Diann Kitamura, CAAPLE
  • Christine Olmstead, CCEE
  • Angela Asch, CSBA
  • Chris Arroyo, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
  • Veronica Bravo, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities
  • Elizabeth Bahn, California State SARB
  • Bryan Campoly, California State SARB
  • Ann-Maura Cervantes, California State SARB
  • Jane Claar, California State SARB
  • Nyeisha DeWitt, California State SARB and Oakland Natives Give Back
  • Josh Godinez, California State SARB
  • Jennifer Gomez-Ttrejo, California State SARB and Student Support Services Solutions
  • Lisa Salazar, California State SARB
  • Alisha Schoen, California State SARB
  • Viola Scott, California State SARB
  • Mike Winters, California State SARB
  • Hayin Kimner, Community Schools Learning Exchange
  • Katie Brackenridge, Glen Price Group
  • Alicia Grunow, Improvement Collective
  • Angela Chandler, Los Angeles County Office of Education
  • Caryn Lewis, Monterey County Office of Education
  • Jami Parsons, Orange County Department of Education
  • Gloria Corral, PIQE and California Statewide Family Engagement Center
  • Jennifer Gunderson, Partnership for Children and Youth
  • Luke Anderson, Placer County Office of Education
  • Brent Malicote, Sacramento County Office of Education
  • Tracy Schmidt, San Diego County Office of Education
  • Jennifer Elenes, Santa Clara County Office of Education
  • Jenny Betz, WestED
  • Rebeca Cerna, WestED
Questions:   Whole Child Division | 916-319-0616
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
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