The Care Counts™ Laundry Program, a Whirlpool brand initiative, has been making significant strides in improving school attendance across the United States for eight years. Impacting 144 schools in 37 states, this program directly addresses a key barrier to education: access to clean clothes. As schools continue to grapple with the ongoing effects of the pandemic on student attendance, understanding how to apply for the Care Counts laundry program is more crucial than ever for schools seeking to support their students and communities.
Chronic absenteeism remains a significant challenge, with a National Center for Education Statistics report indicating that 72% of public schools experienced increased chronic absenteeism compared to the 2020-2021 school year. The Care Counts™ program offers a tangible solution by providing washers and dryers to schools with high absenteeism rates. The results are compelling: teachers reported that 84% of participating high-risk elementary school students felt more connected to their school during the 2021-2022 academic year thanks to this program.
The program’s success is underscored by data from the 2021-2022 academic year, revealing that nearly 70% of high-risk elementary students saw an increase in attendance. Participating students attended school an average of 12 more days than the previous year. Furthermore, almost 60% decreased their chronic absenteeism levels, and an impressive 30% were no longer at risk for chronic absenteeism after participating in Care Counts™.
Nelly Martinez, Senior Brand Manager for Whirlpool brand, emphasizes the program’s importance, stating, “We’re proud to continue growing the Care Counts™ laundry program, particularly at a time when we’re seeing the detrimental impact the pandemic continues to have on the ability of our young students to attend school.” The dedication of school leaders and volunteers is also crucial to the program’s success, ensuring its smooth operation and connection with families in need.
The Care Counts™ program is expanding, reaching five new states—Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Virginia, Delaware, and Hawaii—in the 2022-2023 school year, alongside continued support for schools in Idaho, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.
Krishna Barroso, Principal at AVON Avenue School in Newark, NJ, highlights the profound impact of the program: “The impact of the washer and dryer is truly incredible. These two simple machines that most people take for granted provide essential access to clean clothes, which builds pride, confidence, and improves attendance for our students.”
For schools interested in learning how to apply for the Care Counts laundry program, the first step is to visit the Whirlpool Care Counts website at www.whirlpool.com/care-counts. While the website provides comprehensive information about the program and its impact, specific application details may require direct inquiry through the website’s contact forms or program information sections. Schools with high rates of absenteeism, particularly at the elementary level, are encouraged to explore this opportunity to provide essential support to their students and foster a more inclusive and engaging learning environment. By removing barriers like access to clean clothes, the Care Counts™ program helps students attend school more regularly, contributing to their academic and personal growth.
