Truancy Prevention and Intervention Project

Children and Families First (CFF) will provide a combination of targeted family counseling and case management services through the Truancy Prevention and Intervention Program in Kent and New Castle Counties, Delaware. CFF will begin implementing the evidence-based model Functional Family Therapy as the intervention in 2008. The program will serve approximately 210 youth over two years, with approximately 105 youth and their families served each year. Approximately 75 of these youth will be from Kent County and 30 from New Castle County. The program team will comprise a masters level counselor and a para-professional service specialist, as well as community volunteers, who will work collaboratively with community providers and the families' natural support systems. The families will be referred by the Truancy Courts in the respective counties, Visiting Teachers, 21st Century After School Programs, and school counselors. In New Castle County only, the Wilmington Community Policing Project will provide referrals. Outcome measures will include numbers of youth with improved school attendance, no arrests, improvement on targeted behaviors as assessed through the Functional Family Therapy pre- and post-tests, as well as number of youth and families served and units of service provided. NCA/NCF