A combination of economic factors is contributing to an upward trend in chronic absenteeism in Ohio’s schools, according to Secure Connections: How economic security helps kids get to school and slows the school-to-prison pipeline, a report released today by Policy Matters Ohio. The report makes the case for expanding evidence-based behavioral, social, emotional, and mental health support like those introduced by 2018’s Supporting Alternatives for Fair Education (SAFE) Act. Pruitt added, “The Fair School Funding Plan will increase the amount of resources available to schools — but only if the legislature chooses to fund it in the next state budget.”