Retired judge, youth advocate, and Hamilton County Councilor Steve Nation will serve as a featured speaker at the nation’s inaugural Attendance USA Conference, set for May 20–21 at the Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis. The groundbreaking event aims to tackle the nationwide surge in chronic school absenteeism.

Nation brings more than 40 years of experience in public service to the event, having served as prosecutor, judge, and founder of the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program. His address will focus on the power of early intervention and the critical role community-based efforts play in keeping students connected to school and their futures.

“Throughout my career in the justice system, I saw the impact of disengagement from school long before it reached a courtroom,” Nation said. “That’s why I’ve committed myself to prevention—helping students stay in school, earn their diploma, and build a path toward a successful life.”

Nation’s efforts in launching the Youth Assistance Program—a model that supports at-risk youth through early, proactive measures—have earned him wide respect in both legal and educational circles.

The conference comes amid alarming new data from the U.S. Department of Education showing that 28% of students nationwide were chronically absent during the 2022–23 school year, nearly double the pre-pandemic figure of 16% in 2018–19. Organizers say the event aims to rally educators, policymakers, families, and advocates around innovative solutions to re-engage students and combat absenteeism.

Another scheduled speaker is Jamie Merisotis, president and CEO of the Lumina Foundation and a national voice on education equity.

“This conference is about building a national movement to keep kids engaged and in school,” said Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, founder of Attendance USA and Dean of Founder’s College at Butler University. “These numbers represent more than just data—they represent students being left behind.”

Registration and event details are available at https://tinyurl.com/bd3akzbh.