What should I do when the young person's attendance is inconsistent?

Relationships are messy.  Working through the mess strengthens relationships. The suggestions below for these common scenarios come from young people and volunteers within Thread. 

Example:

The young person shows up to school or work on some days, but their attendance is not regular. Just as important, their intermittent attendance is hurting their progress toward goals. With each absence, it’s harder to get back on track - what can you do next?

Potential Cause 1:

Young person’s family is going through a family challenge such as a new baby, extreme lack of money, food, resources, or family member in jail, etc.

Try This:

• Be quick to show support (check here for specific support with various barriers) along with other Family Members by collaborating with the young person to see what works for them and their family or what could be different. 
• Let them know that you are working to find ways to help them overcome the barrier. 
• Talk to your Head of Family to find the appropriate resources to help the young person’s family through the situation.

Why?

We have all agreed to show all the way up for young people, so this means being physically and authentically present in their times of need. By reacting quickly and reaching out to find resources, you show the young person that you will do what it takes to ensure their well-being as well as the well-being of their family members. 

Potential Cause 2:

Young person doesn’t feel that being in school or working is a reliable path to future success, or sees more reward in time outside of school/work now.

Try This:

• Connect with the other members of the Thread Family and the young person to brainstorm potential short-term incentives for increased attendance/productivity (i.e. breakfast every Friday for showing up all week). 
• Share models of success. For example, share the network by introducing them to older Thread Students or alumni.

Why?

Meeting people where they are at is a critical component of treating relationships as wealth. By offering multiple solutions that do not overwhelm the young person, you are allowing them to gain additional perspectives but not forcing them to make any immediate decisions. You also model the act of using your resources and your network to the young person.

Potential Cause 3:

Young person sleeps in late and then misses school.

Try This:

• Connect with other volunteers in the Thread Family to brainstorm a solution.
• Along with other Family Members, have a conversation with the young person to learn why they are sleeping in late. 
• Work within the Thread Family to assign a wake up call schedule.  Each person can call the young person each morning to make sure they are up and ready. 

Why?

Because we have agreed to show all the way up for the young person, we also agree to be physically and authentically present. By calling the young person each morning, you are modeling being present even if you are not physically in the same room.

Potential Cause 4:

Young person frequently misses the bus, loses his/her bus pass, or does not have a reliable way to get to school. (Maybe they have a ride, but that ride often doesn’t show up or shows up late.)

Try This:

• Coordinate within the Thread Family to have someone there each day to pick up the young person and drive him/her to school on time.  Check out suggestions for providing transportation here and support with bus passes here.  
• Over time reduce the number of days that the Thread Family is providing rides so the young person begins to take ownership of getting to school / work. 
• This is a sample test.