The School Matters program increases youth attendance rates and prevents them from dropping out of school. Our goal is to increase graduation rates for truant youth between the ages of 12 and 17.
The program provides Hennepin County youth with intensive one-on-one case management to identify and eliminate barriers to school attendance. Youth are referred to The Link once they have seven or more unexcused absences from school. Case managers use a strength-based approach to work with youth and their families to re-engage education as quickly as possible through individualized action plans and client driven goal setting.
School Matters is funded by Hennepin County.


The program offers:
- One-on-one case management
- Academic credit recovery
- Court navigation assistance
- Recreational/social activities
- Assistance in resolving language and communication barriers
- Job readiness skills
- Resource referrals
- Life skills groups
- School enrollment
For more information regarding School Matters, please contact Caalynn Schiro, Program Manager:
612-677-2522 | cschiro@thelinkmn.org