The California Community Schools Network recently released a blog Tracking Chronic Absence: Getting Ready for Prop 47 Grants or Just Setting Up for Improvement  The blog outlines that ”The Request for Proposals for the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund: Learning Communities for School Success grants (through CDE, from Prop 47 savings) is expected out this March. We know from the legislation that districts with high chronic absence, out-of-school suspension, and dropout rates will be given priority when grants are awarded. We’re suggesting that districts with high rates start compiling their data now because the proposal writing timeline is expected to be very short.” In November 2014, voters approved Proposition 47 which reduced penalties for non-violent and non-serious crimes creating the state significant savings. The Safe Neighborhood and Schools Fund was created to use those savings to ward truancy and prevent dropout (as well as other issues). Access the complete blog here.