Truancy Reduction Demonstration Program

Project Summary for 1999-MU-MU-0011

The Clarke County School District is the target "Weed and Seed" site to serve students who attend middle and high schools in the area. The applicant has established an Attendance Panel Review which is composed of at least three representatives of the community, such as juvenile court, mental health, law enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Family and Children's Services, Public Health Department, and other agencies. The purpose of this panel is to improve school attendance among the students through a collaborative multi-agency effort focusing on early intervention with students and families. The Panel discusses the situation, makes recommendations, and develops and attendance contract with the family. The community and school support services may be offered to the student and family based on identified needs. The applicant will recruit four Attendance Mentors from the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia. These Attendance Mentors will work directly with the schools district's attendance specialist to identify those middle school students who have missed five days of school due to unexcused absences. The Attendance Mentors will make home visits, call parents, and have conferences with teachers and parents. the middle schools (grades 6-8) have been targeted because the largest number of dropouts occurs at the ninth grade level.