Education Champion Reduces Student Absenteeism

Education Coordinator Antoine Johnson has been helping underserved families his entire career. He received his first lessons in giving back from his grandparents, whose dedication to the community inspired him.

It’s like my grandma used to say, "It’s not what you have, but what you give that matters."

That principle has driven Antoine to help others, especially children, succeed.

Tackling Chronic Absenteeism

For the past year, Antoine has been Samaritan Daytop Village’s Education Coordinator, overseeing the academic progress and concerns of school-aged children across 11 family residences.

Until August 14, 2023, Antoine’s position did not exist – anywhere. To Antoine’s knowledge, he may be the only Education Coordinator in the entire NYC shelter system.

According to VP of Transitional Housing Jerry Heaney, that most likely is the case. He and Executive VP Alicia McFarlane created the role because the need existed. “The position filled an existing gap between Samaritan’s and the Department of Education’s on-site staff,” Heaney explained.

A grant from the New York City Department of Homeless Services created his position to ensure families and students in the New York City shelter system have access to the support and resources needed to maintain academic success and improve attendance.

The role became a critical necessity. Chronic absenteeism within the shelter system was skyrocketing. Last year, 72% of school-aged children in transitional housing were marked chronically absent – about 18 days of school (statistics from Advocates for Children). According to Antoine, the problem worsened nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic. He says he is determined to change the statistics and find solutions.

Working closely with Samaritan Daytop Village staff, social workers, and New York City Public City Schools liaisons, Antoine ensures that every child is enrolled in school and receiving the support they need. He monitors attendance daily and steps in if a child misses six or more consecutive days. He will work to identify the underlying causes, whether it’s a lack of resources or something more serious, like parental neglect, which might require intervention from Child Protective Services.

Finding Answers to Unasked Questions

Antoine’s approach is hands-on and personal. He visits the family units to follow up on children’s attendance and works directly with parents and on-site staff to troubleshoot problems such as transportation or finding outside tutoring services.

This proactive method of engagement is central to his mission. He doesn’t just look at numbers on paper; he’s actively involved in ensuring that children get to school. In fact, he is empowered to organize case conferences with families and the Department of Education, lead group counseling sessions, conduct seminars, and advocate on behalf of the students.

Moving effortlessly among the different points of contact, he does not stop until he reaches his goal of seeing the students return to school.

Antoine admits he takes an unusual approach by personally visiting families instead of picking up the phone and calling them. However, it is through those in-person troubleshooting sessions that they gain the most ground in identifying creative solutions and resources.

“At the end of the day, my work isn’t just about numbers,” said Antoine. “I am directly involved in getting children to school.”

Bringing Resources to Families

Antoine is always looking for ways to improve the educational experience for children in the family residences. He’s brought in City organizations, tutoring services, and other programs to help students with homework and learning. The impact of finding community partners who can bring valued incentives to high-achieving students can be powerful.

One of his biggest successes with that initiative was helping 12 high school seniors from Samaritan Daytop Village’s transitional housing programs—who had achieved an 85% or higher attendance rate—get accepted to two- or four-year colleges or military programs. One student won a Future Leaders $1,000 scholarship award through an essay competition with the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS).

His connections with local community partners have introduced incentives to decrease absenteeism. At one family residence in Brooklyn, Antoine a donation of 50 laptops from Digitunity led to a jump in school attendance from 70% to 80%. The program also saw the highest graduation rates the site had ever seen, with each graduate receiving a laptop as a reward.

Antoine also helps parents by using his background in vocational services. Earlier in his career he worked with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) as a Senior Vocational Coordinator, helping families on public assistance find employment. His experience working with the city's Human Resources Administration (HRA) made him a vital link between clients and vocational services. Those years have shown him that when parents have stable employment, their children attend school.

Antoine also co-organized a Winter Wonderland event, where toys and coats were given out to children and families. He assisted The Triad Group with a pilot after-school program at two sites that resulted in a 3% attendance increase for participants.

A Holistic Approach to Education

Antoine’s work goes beyond just making sure kids attend school. He’s building an educational support system that addresses the challenges families face while living in transitional housing. His goal is to improve the overall quality of life for these families, believing that every child deserves access to education, no matter their living situation.

His ultimate mission is to create an environment where students are not just attending school but are excited to learn. By working with staff, NYC Public School liaisons, and other City organizations, Antoine is ensuring that every child has a chance for a brighter future.

Antoine’s role goes beyond tracking attendance. He is creating an educational support system for families grappling with housing instability. While he is laser-focused on the schoolchildren’s educational opportunities, he is also helping them unlock the door to their future success. Looking ahead, Antoine wants to start GED and trade programs (e.g. plumbing, carpentry, etc.), and set up computer labs – at all sites – to give students the technology they need to succeed.

As he reflects on his first year as Education Coordinator, Antoine remains steadfast in his commitment to the families he serves: “I don’t guarantee the reward, but I can position the student for a better opportunity.”