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Act Now is a bi-partisan initiative to strengthen communities in their efforts to reimagine their future by creating opportunities for young people to thrive. Act Now works with youth and communities through Listening Sessions, Breaking Bread events, and Justice Circles – taking action to promote belonging, meaning, well-being, and purpose.

The SJI is working with Act Now on their Every Day Counts program, which seeks to address chronic absenteeism in public schools. Absenteeism is a growing problem in schools across the United States, and is generally defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason. Chronic absenteeism and/or truancy puts students at risk for teen pregnancy, substance use, increased chances of involvement in the criminal justice system, as well as being linked to worse health and employment outcomes. Partnering with communities in local school districts, the SJI is developing and evaluating the impact of interventions for community members to help keep young people in school.