Steve Nation to Speak at First-of-Its-Kind Event

Steve Nation, retired judge, youth advocate and Hamilton County Councilor, will serve as a featured speaker at the nation’s first-ever Attendance USA Conference, taking place tomorrow and Wednesday in Indianapolis. The event will bring together educators, policymakers, families and thought leaders from across the country to address the growing crisis of chronic absenteeism in schools.

Nation, who spent more than four decades serving the Hamilton County community – as prosecutor, judge and founder of the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program – will speak about the importance of early intervention and keeping youth connected to school and their future.

“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 long-standing focus on youth development and his leadership in launching proactive support programs have made him a respected voice in both legal and education circles. His work with the Youth Assistance Program has become a model for local communities aiming to address risk factors early and support student success outside of the classroom.

The Attendance USA Conference 2025 will be held at the Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis. Other featured speakers include Brandon P. Fleming, former at-risk youth turned Harvard debate coach and founder of The Veritas Schools, and Jamie Merisotis, CEO of the Lumina Foundation and a leading advocate for education equity

According to the U.S. Department of Education, chronic absenteeism affected 28 percent of U.S. students in the 2022–23 school year – nearly double the pre-pandemic rate of 16% in 2018–19. The conference seeks to provide unified, community-driven solutions that reconnect students with learning and address the complex factors behind chronic absenteeism.

Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, founder of Attendance USA and Dean of Founder’s College at Butler University, emphasized the urgency of the issue:

“These numbers represent more than just data—they represent students being left behind. This conference is about building a national movement to keep kids engaged and in school.”

To learn more or register for the event, visit https://tinyurl.com/bd3akzbh.