Join us May 9 at Summit ESC for the next Combating Chronic Absenteeism Network

When students feel seen, heard, and supported by a trusted adult at school, they’re more likely to show up and stay engaged. Positive student-teacher relationships create the foundation for effective behavior interventions and long-term success.

In this session, Mike Kaschak will share practical strategies to help educators build authentic connections with students—strengthening relationships, improving behavior, and boosting attendance. Even small, intentional interactions can make a big difference!

The second part of the presentation addresses a concern that many districts are facing: staff attendance. While the presentation does not cover collective bargaining constraints, it focuses on strategies that schools can implement to improve their climate and culture. The strategies shared are simple and easy to adopt.

For those who choose to stay past 11 a.m., the SST team will assist individuals in reviewing their student-level data. With less than a month remaining in the school year, it is important to identify which students are at risk of becoming chronically absent, as well as those who have already surpassed the threshold for chronic absenteeism.

The SST will help attendees create a list of students based on their own data, enabling them to develop intervention methods before students reach the chronic absenteeism threshold. At the end of this session, participants will have a list of students and the number of hours they can miss before being considered chronically absent by the end of the school year.

Invitation to Provide Feedback - Ohio Required and Optional Forms

The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce has proposed revisions to the state required and supplemental (formerly optional) forms for special education to streamline and clarify expectations of state and federal requirements.

As part of the process, the Department is seeking input from stakeholders across the state on the proposed revisions. Feedback may be provided at any time until May 23 using the Microsoft Forms surveys available on our Ohio Required and Optional Forms webpage. Each of the proposed revised forms are also available through our Ohio Required and Optional Forms webpage, with a side-by-side comparison document that provides an overview.

The Department is hosting virtual sessions on these proposed revisions for external stakeholder feedback. Attendance at these meetings is optional, and the review of the proposed revisions will be recorded. To register, please visit the Ohio Required and Optional Forms webpage

A Practice Guide to Supporting Implementation

Discover "A Practice Guide to Supporting Implementation," a comprehensive resource that outlines the essential competencies for implementation support practitioners. Authored by experts including Allison Metz and colleagues, this guide emphasizes core areas such as Co-Creation and Engagement, Ongoing Improvement, and Sustaining Change. It's an invaluable tool for professionals aiming to effectively implement and scale evidence-informed practices, programs, and policies to enhance outcomes for individuals and communities.

Coming Soon:

EDSTEPS One Funding Application (OFA)

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) is replacing the Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Process (CCIP) with the EDSTEPS One Funding Application (OFA). This new system will streamline grant applications and award reimbursements into a single platform.

• OFA launches in Spring 2025 and will house grant applications for State Fiscal Year 2026.
• The transition to OFA will take about a year, with CCIP retiring in Summer 2026.
• Any active applications within CCIP will remain available through the Final Expenditure Process for State Fiscal Year 2025.



Find information about webinars and training sessions that are offered by DEW here.