Detroit, MI Truancy Intervention Program

The Detroit Truancy Reduction Initiative seeks to reduce school truancy, improve attendance and increase the academic performance of a minimum of 200 youth enrolled in the Detroit Public School District (DPS). To achieve this goal the Wayne County Department of Children and Family Services (CAFS) and four Detroit-based Care Management Organizations (CMOs) will partner to initiate a multi-level approach to address and mitigate contributing factors to school truancy. The Detroit Truancy Reduction Initiative will educate youth, parents and the community about the importance of school attendance, and utilize case management, mental health, substance abuse services and structured after-school activities for middle and high school students targeted for school truancy. The program evaluation will analyze both quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of the public education and services intervention components of the project. The overall goals of the program are to reduce the number of DPS youth who violate the district's school attendance policy; reduce the number of DPS youth who are tardy to class; reduce the number of status offense petitions filed with the Wayne County Third Circuit Court ' Family Division; and provide intervention and supportive services to 200 DPD students identified with truancy and behavioral problems. NCA/NCF