The Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) Department is dedicated to supporting the success of every student. We work closely with students, families, and schools to ensure that all students have the opportunity to receive a quality education in a safe and supportive environment. Our goal is to address barriers to attendance and provide resources that help students thrive in school.

The CWA department provides a variety of services, including:

• Attendance & Truancy: We work with families and students to address truancy and chronic absenteeism, providing interventions and resources to improve attendance.

• Enrollment & Registration: We assist with the enrollment process, including student transfers, proof of residency, and ensuring students in transition (e.g., experiencing homelessness or in foster care) have immediate access to education.

• Discipline Hearings: We work with schools to schedule hearings for recommendations for long term suspension and expulsions.

• Student Records: We ensure compliance with laws and policies regarding the confidentiality and transfer of student records.

• Transcript Requests: We process all student request of transcripts that are to be sent to higher education institutions.

• Education Verification: We process all verification of education of students for employers.

Attendance Policies & Information

Regular and on-time attendance is a key factor in a student's academic success. School attendance is can be found in Louisiana Revised Statute 17:233.

Excused vs. Unexcused Absences

Excused Absences: absences which are not considered for purposes of truancy

• Student illness/appointment (doctor's note required for those absences that are 3 or more consecutive days; parent note accepted for 5 school days per year )

• Extended hospital stay as verified by a physician

• Funeral services for an immediate family member (not to exceed one week)

• Religious holidays or ceremonies

• Extended recuperation from an accident as verified by a physician

• Visitation with a parent who is a member of the US Armed Forces or National Guard (not to exceed 5 days per school year)

Unexcused Absences: any absence not meeting the requirement set forth in the excused absences

• Family vacation or travel

• Oversleeping

• Missing the bus

• Personal appointments

What is Truancy?

According to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), a student is considered truant when they have accumulated five unexcused absences or five unexcused tardies within a single semester. This definition specifically applies to the condition of being "habitually absent" or "habitually tardy," which can lead to a referral to the 27th Judicial District Court Families in Need of Services (FINS) office if not corrected by the interventions put in place at the school level.

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

According to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more of days enrolled, including all types of absences such as excused, unexcused, suspensions, and expulsions. For a typical school year, this equates to 17 or more missed days, and it serves as an early warning indicator for potential academic challenges.

Important Documents & Forms

• Student Handbook and Discipline Policy

• Employee Requesting Transfer of Child Form

• Out of Parish Transfer Request

• In Parish Transfer Request

• Transcript Request

Contact Us

We are here to help! If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln. Your presence in the classroom today is the first step toward building the tomorrow you want.