This session provides school and district staff with practical guidance for supporting students with chronic absenteeism through the Families in Need of Support (FINS) process. Participants will learn when a FINS referral is appropriate, what school-based interventions and family engagement efforts should occur before referral, and what documentation is needed to support a successful referral. The session will also explore collaboration with Juvenile Probation Officers (JPOs) and the New Mexico Public Education, Safe & Healthy Schools Attendance Program Specialist.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Identify when a FINS referral may be appropriate after meaningful school-based interventions have been implemented.
Identify the documentation and information needed to submit a complete FINS referral.
Describe the roles of schools, families, JPOs, and community partners in identifying barriers and coordinating supports.
Apply best practices for developing a referral that clearly communicates the attendance concern, identified barriers, interventions attempted, and additional supports needed.