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Background 

In 1903, a new Compulsory Education Act had been enacted, leading to a new LAUSD position in 1913 of Assistant Superintendent of Compulsory Education. After having gone through various name changes throughout the years, the branch was renamed to Pupil Services and Attendance in 1990. Despite the transformations throughout the years, the goal for Pupil Services and attendance has been for students to be enrolled and attending.  

Purpose 

Pupil Services and Student Support Programs staff are child welfare and attendance experts who work with students, parents, school staff, and communities to increase student attendance and engagement toward better academic outcomes for all students. 

Program Services  

School Purchased Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counselors are funded directly by schools to provide comprehensive child welfare and attendance support, including tiered absence prevention and intervention, as well as dropout prevention and recovery services. These services include: 

• Interpret laws and policies pertaining to education. 
• Support with enrollment, attendance, and pupil records. 
• Track attendance data and trends. 
• Teach and reinforce clear, positive expectations for student attendance. 
• Implement a tiered attendance prevention and intervention system of support. 
• Serve as liaisons between the school and home. 
• Support students and families who confront barriers to educational success. 
• Identify and provide appropriate resources and community referrals. 
• Define data-driven attendance improvement goals and objectives. 
• Provide direct individual, group and family counseling. 
• Collaborate with school officials and community agencies. 
• Serve on, or coordinate Student Support and Progress Teams (SSPT). 
• Empower families and students by helping them understand and access appropriate public and private health and social services. 
• Support schools in developing their Attendance and Dropout Prevention Plan.

PSA Counselors hold a Master’s degree or higher in Social Work or School Counseling, with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential authorizing Child Welfare and Attendance services.

Interested in purchasing a PSA?

To purchase PSA Counselor time, please complete and submit the Itinerant PSA Counselor letter found on the School Fiscal Services Office page under the Personnel section found here.