NCSE is an initiative
of the Partnership
for Families & Children.
www.pffac.org
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Collaboration of Community Agencies to Prevent Truancy
|
|
| Contacts (1): |
Add a new Contact to This Program |
| Brooke Atchley *Primary Contact* |
brooke.atchley@nrsinc.org |
| |
|
Date Entered: |
08/06/2006 |
| City or Cities: |
Johnson City |
State(s): |
TN |
| Website: |
www.nrsinc.org |
Year of Inception: |
2006
|
|
Geographic Area Covered:
|
Currently Middle School only. Hopefully will be expanded to include entire school district |
| Host Agency Name: |
|
|
Host Agency Type:
|
Community-based organization/coalition
|
|
Target Gender:
|
Male, Female |
|
Target Race/Ethnicity:
|
African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, White |
|
Target Grade:
|
5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade |
|
Target Income:
|
Low-income (less than $25, 000), Middle-income ($25, 000-$50, 000), Upper-income (more than $50, 000) |
|
Target Language:
|
English, Spanish |
|
Target Family Focus:
|
Family-wide |
|
Target Disciplinary Issues:
|
Youth with juvenile justice involvement |
|
Other Characteristics:
|
Youth overage for grade, Youth of age for grade but below grade level, School-based truancy professionals, Court-based truancy professionals, School Principals, teachers, and Central Office Staff
|
| Description: |
Our program offers parents and students a choice to work with the school and court system to find a solution to the truancy issues. At the end of a conference mediated by a neutral party, a trained facilitator from Neighborhood Reconciliation Services, parents, child, and school personnel sign an agreement that states what must be completed by each party to help truancy situation. NRS continues to monitor attendance and academic progress and offers reports to school officials as well as court officials. Agreements are reviewed at the end of the year and cases are dismissed when agreements are completed and school officials are pleased with the student's progress.
|
| How Program is Funded: |
At this time, Neighborhood Reconciliation Services funds the program. This funding comes by grants and personal donations. |
|
Evidence of Effectiveness:
|
Internal evaluation in progress
|
How do you know your program is effective: All students refered to program have had zero unexcused absences since initial conference. Students who attendend summer school session also reported no unexcused absences and an increase in academic success. All but 2 agreements were completed in the first year of the program. Students and parents, as well as court and school personnel, have been incredible pleased with the alternative manner of handling truancy cases.
|
What has not worked in the program any why: Funding is becoming an issue as successes become apparent and more cases are being referred.
Communication between agencies has been good, but processes are being developed to further better communication.
|
|
|
