Behind every attendance number is a student, a family, and a story. At the School District of Lancaster, supporting attendance is not a checklist or a policy alone. It’s people doing patient, intentional work to remove barriers and create pathways back to learning. Leticia Valentine, Home School Visitor, does that work every day with accountability and deep respect for the families she serves.
When Leticia first saw the Home School Visitor position posted, she knew immediately it was the right fit. It combined everything she had been working toward: supporting youth, partnering with families, and drawing on her background in the court system. For years, she had envisioned herself working within a school district. This role felt like a natural next step, one that aligned with both her professional experience and personal values.
After graduating from Manheim Township in 1998 and earning a degree in Business Administration from Millersville University, Leticia briefly worked in business before realizing it did not reflect who she was. She pivoted toward youth-focused work, beginning a career that included eight years in adult probation and parole and more than a decade as a family worker supporting at-risk youth. That journey led her directly to SDoL, a place where she felt her experience and heart could meet.
What a Home school visitor really does
Despite the title, Leticia is quick to clarify a common misconception. Home School Visitors have nothing to do with homeschooling. Instead, they are essential members of school-based Attendance Teams, working closely with School Social Workers, School Counselors, and administrators to address chronic attendance challenges.
Leticia focuses primarily on elementary and middle school students who are habitually truant. Her work includes leading and attending Attendance Improvement Conferences, conducting home visits, investigating returned mail or residency concerns, supporting guardianship approvals, and assisting schools when other attendance interventions have been exhausted. She also tracks attendance data across her schools, runs reports to identify trends, and helps teams stay informed and responsive.
When attendance challenges persist, Leticia’s role may extend into truancy court, where she draws on her court experience to testify and advocate for students. She often describes the role as wearing many hats at once: advocate, investigator, liaison, problem solver, and when necessary, prosecutor. Each part of the role serves the same purpose: helping students return to school with the support they need.
Following the rhythm of the school year
The work of a Home School Visitor moves in phases. Early in the school year, Leticia focuses on locating students who did not return after summer break. As Attendance Improvement Conferences begin, much of her time is spent preparing for and attending meetings that bring families and school teams together to discuss attendance concerns and develop intervention plans.
Throughout the year, she is constantly reviewing data, making phone calls, completing home visits, and connecting families to resources. When schools have exhausted all available interventions and attendance remains a concern, court proceedings begin. Through each phase, Leticia keeps her focus on problem-solving and collaboration rather than punishment.
For Leticia, relationships are the foundation of her work. She builds trust by being honest, transparent, and treating families as equals. She listens first, allows families to share their experiences, and ensures they feel heard. Many families come to Attendance Improvement Conferences with fear or uncertainty. Leticia works to show them that the goal is support, not blame.
She has witnessed moments when parents begin to see the Attendance Team differently. In-person conferences create space for deeper connection, especially for families who are starting over or navigating complex challenges. When families realize schools can connect them to supports and community resources, the tone often shifts from fear to collaboration.
Seeing strength in every family
Leticia sees resilience in the families she serves every day. Many are navigating uncertainty, transitions, and fear, yet they continue showing up for their children. She understands these realities personally. Growing up, she moved frequently and experienced family trauma. She knows how instability can set students back and how critical school-based support can be.
Her own path to college was shaped by a school counselor who helped guide her through the process when no one else could. That experience left a lasting impression. Today, Leticia hopes to have that same kind of impact, helping students and families feel supported, accepted, and capable of success.
Leticia’s values guide every interaction. She believes in fairness, empathy, and follow-through. She meets families where they are and recognizes that every situation is unique. At the same time, her experience in the court system has taught her the importance of accountability. For her, supporting families and holding expectations can coexist. That balance is what allows the role of Home School Visitor to be effective.
Why this work matters at SDoL
As a parent with children in a suburban school district, Leticia sees how distinct SDoL is in its approach to student support. The depth of resources, the focus on the whole child, and the commitment to school-community connection stand out. Working across multiple schools allows her to support different school climates while contributing to a shared district-wide mission.
She finds strength in her Home School Visitor team and values the collaboration that makes the work possible. Together, they help ensure students are present, supported, and connected to learning.
The person she needed then, the advocate she is now
Outside of work, Leticia spends most of her time cheering on her children at sporting events and staying active when she can. Her guiding advice, “Be the person you needed when you were younger,” is more than a phrase. It is a reflection of how she shows up for families every day.
Through persistence, empathy, and deep understanding, Leticia Valentine plays a vital role in helping students return to school and stay engaged. Her work reminds us that attendance is not just about showing up. It is about feeling supported enough to keep coming back.