How Pediatricians and Schools Are Teaming Up to Keep Kids in Class
The chronic absenteeism reduction effort at its core is supporting student attendance. And so that's where we already have ed and hospitalization data on all of our patients.
Imagine a world where missing school isn't just a student's problem, but a community's mission to solve. In this episode of The American Health Podcast, Andrea K. McDaniels dives into an innovative partnership between Children's National Hospital and public schools in Washington, D.C. This collaboration, known as the Chronic Absenteeism Reduction Effort (CARE), is breaking new ground by sharing absenteeism data with pediatricians. Dr.
Danielle Dooley, a pediatrician and Medical Director of Community Affairs, and Tonya Vidal Kinlow, Vice President of Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Government Affairs, share their insights on how this approach is making a real difference. Through CARE, pediatricians get the full picture of their young patients' lives, including challenges like housing instability and food insecurity that might be keeping them out of school.
By addressing these issues head-on, they're not just improving attendance; they're setting kids up for better health and brighter futures. This episode is packed with real-life success stories that highlight the critical link between education and long-term health outcomes. Whether you're a parent, educator, or healthcare provider, you'll find valuable takeaways on how community efforts can support children's well-being.