First Children Services will host a free event Wednesday, Oct. 7, at its Cherry Hill therapeutic school for families navigating school refusal and chronic absenteeism.

The organization's Transitions Program at 1256 Marlkress Road serves up to 35 students in grades five through 12 at a time, first reported by South Jersey Media. Students share a common thread: anxiety, depression or other mental-health challenges have made regular attendance feel impossible.

"These friends want to come to school," said Caitlin Summers-Motta, director of business development and mental health services for First Children Services. "They just cannot. It is a trigger. The building is a trigger."

The program operates against a stark local backdrop. Cherry Hill Public Schools reported 1,547 chronically absent students, 14.20% of enrollment, during the 2025-26 school year, according to a presentation at the Sept. 22 Board of Education meeting. At the secondary level, chronically absent students averaged a course grade of 80.6, compared with 87 for students who attended regularly. About 44.3% of chronically absent students failed at least one course, versus 21.4% of their peers.

Summers-Motta said chronic absenteeism is generally associated with missing about 10% of school days. She urged families and educators not to wait for that threshold.

Transitions was developed about 20 years ago by a group of pediatricians and a special educator as an alternative to homebound instruction. Students attend from about 8:30 or 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on an eight-period schedule. There are no bells. One former student told Summers-Motta the building looked more like an insurance broker's office than a school.

Teachers hold New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) certification, and the curriculum follows state learning standards. Students do not need an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan to enroll. Placement requires agreement from a student's home district, which typically provides transportation. Two social workers offer individual and group counseling throughout the day.

CEO Matthew Hess said the program combines individualized education with clinical support to help students rebuild confidence and return to their home districts.

Some students enter after hospitalization and use Transitions as a step back toward a larger school. Others arrive after a pattern of mounting absences. Summers-Motta said former students have gone on to paths including medical school and social work.

First Children is also exploring an elementary-level program. Summers-Motta said the organization sees growing challenges among children who were very young during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those now in kindergarten through second grade.

The Oct. 7 Lunch and Learn runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at 1256 Marlkress Road. Tara Fleck, Transitions program manager, will present "Anxiety & Autism: Understanding the Connection, Empowering Success." Seating is limited. First Children also holds open houses every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the same location. Contact Summers-Motta at [email protected] or 856-250-8737.