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Partnerships for School Attendance (PSA) Grant Program

Request for Applications (RFA)
School Year 2026 Partnerships for School Attendance Grant (PSA)

Application Release Date
Jan. 29, 2026, 12 p.m.

Application Submission Date
March 20, 2026, 3 p.m.

Program Overview

Vision 

The Partnerships for School Attendance (PSA) grant empowers every DC student to consistently attend school, unlocking their full potential through equitable access to high-quality education. By championing a robust multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), PSA coordinates a student-centered approach that nurtures attendance, academic success, and well-being for all. 

Mission 

PSA grants equip community-based organizations (CBOs) to partner with DC public and public charter schools to address the root causes of absenteeism, support the whole child (and their family), and foster community partnerships, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of students and schools across the District.   

Through the PSA program, grantees support students who:  

  • Were chronically absent, defined as the student missing more than 10 percent of all school days, including both excused and unexcused absences, in the previous school year; 
  • Have had three to five consecutive absences in the current school year; and/or  
  • Are referred by a partner school for having five to nine total absences in the current school year. 

Goals and Objectives 

The goals of the PSA grant include:  

  • Addressing chronic absenteeism and increasing attendance rates in DC public and public charter schools.  
  • Promoting a culture of consistent school attendance, academic achievement, and student engagement.  
  • Creating and fostering partnerships to provide wraparound services to address the root causes of absenteeism and school disengagement to enhance positive student outcomes.  

The objectives of the PSA program include: 

  • Building or increasing the capacity of participating schools to implement an impactful attendance infrastructure through effective teaming, data analysis, and evidence-based and trauma-informed strategies.  
  • Developing or expanding upon strong systems of student support that utilize the collective expertise of CBOs, school partners, and community partners to provide wraparound services for PSA-eligible students and their family members.  
  • Collecting, evaluating, and using data to determine the impact of program activities in relation to student progress, program improvement, decision-making, and programmatic monitoring processes. 

PSA Framework 

The overall purpose of the PSA framework is to strategically allocate resources to key initiatives that directly impact student attendance, academic success, and community engagement. Each area is designed to address specific challenges faced by schools and their surrounding communities and foster holistic support for students and families. The framework ensures that funding is targeted toward sustainable, evidence-based interventions and programs that lead to measurable improvements in student attendance and community well-being.   

PSA Pillars 

The five pillars of the PSA grant serve as the foundation for driving impactful change across schools and communities. Each pillar is designated to address critical factors that contribute to student success, school improvement, and community engagement. By aligning efforts across these pillars, the PSA grant works to holistically improve student outcomes, strengthen community connections, and ensure that students are supported in all areas of their lives. Below is an explanation of the five PSA pillars. 

PSA grantees must:  

  • Provide Attendance Interventions: Fund strategies and initiatives that reduce chronic absenteeism and promote regular attendance, ensuring students are present to benefit from educational opportunities by engaging them in the Three Tiers of Intervention developed by Attendance Works:  

  • Foster Family and Community Partnerships: Strengthen ties between schools, families, and local organizations, ensuring that students receive comprehensive, coordinated support both inside and outside of the classroom. This focus area emphasizes collaboration and resource sharing.  
  • Facilitate Student Support Services: Provide access to health, mental health, social and emotional learning, and other student-centered services that address barriers to learning. This ensures that students’ non-academic needs are met, allowing them to fully engage in their education.  
  • Build Capacity for School-Based Staff and Families: Enhance skills and capabilities of educators, staff, and community partners through technical assistance, professional learning, and/or family engagement activities. This area aims to build a stronger support network that can more effectively meet the needs of students and families.  
  • Evaluate Programs for Continuous Improvement: Ensure the continuous improvement of funded programs by supporting the collection and analysis of data on attendance, student outcomes, and program effectiveness. 

PSA Application and Webinars 

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a virtual pre-application session hosted by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The same session will be offered on two dates. Each session will include an overview of the PSA grant program, the grant competition, and the application completion and submission process.

Pre-Application Session Information  

Pre-Application Session Information

Date

Time

Session Link

Feb. 5, 2026

1 p.m. EST

Session #1

Feb. 12, 2026

10 a.m. EST

Session #2

PSA Resources

Contact Us 

For questions or additional information, please contact Rudy Arellano at [email protected]. 

The Partnerships for School Attendance grant program is administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Office of Special Populations and Programs within the Division of Strategic Funding for School Quality.  

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