140 likes | 294 Views
Truancy Court Of Randolph County. Purpose. Truancy Court was created as a bridge between the judicial system and the school system to promote attendance, diminish delinquency, and promote educational success. Objectives. Improve school attendance Improve academic performance
E N D
Purpose • Truancy Court was created as a bridge between the judicial system and the school system to promote attendance, diminish delinquency, and promote educational success.
Objectives • Improve school attendance • Improve academic performance • Increase parental supervision and monitoring of youth activities • Decrease in-school and out-of-school suspension for behavior through the parenting component • Integrate existing support services to wrap around students and their families
Referrals Include • Students aged 6 to 15 ½ years of age who are not compliant with the School Attendance Law (NC G.S. 115C-378)
Why • Youth are not successful in school are at risk of involvement in crime and violence • They are under supervised and subject to negative influences • Data suggests that level of education is correlated with success throughout many facets of one’s life • There are Accountability issues for Public Education (No Child Left Behind) • Attendance is the Law.
When and Where • Truancy Court is held for a half day once or twice a month at the Randolph County Courthouse.
A Model of an Existing Pre-Court Referral Process • Letters of notification to parents when the student has 3, 6, and 10 days of unexcused absences • School Social Worker contacts family and works with student and family to address needs and improve attendance • Principal and social worker determine the student is out of compliance with attendance laws, letter is sent to D.A.’s office and DSS with a copy going to parent. • Parents are invited to discuss situation with school administrators at any time.
Juvenile Process • Truancy Coordinator creates a court file including interventions, results from needs assessment, recommendations addressing attendance, behavioral, and academic aspects • Coordinator facilitates additional interventions and/or files juvenile complaint • DJJDP Counselor makes final decision for legal intervention involving juveniles.
Criminal Process • File created by Truancy Coordinator also addresses family environment and results of interactions with parents/guardians. Recommendations offered to assist family in being compliant with attendance laws. • Coordinator facilitates additional interventions or directs social workers to file criminal summons for truancy • Criminal Summons are served by Randolph County Law Enforcement Officers
Court • Consultations are held by coordinator with School Social Worker to discuss recommendations in preparation for court • Parents and students attend same court • District Attorney, Bailiff, and Public Defenders and/or Private Counsel are present in court and Judge hears testimony and adjudicates student, parent, or both
The Family • An assessment of the entire family is initiated to evaluate truancy predictors. • Court interventions are specific to the needs of each individual family member.
Monitoring • Truancy Coordinator, Juvenile Court Counselor, and School Social Worker monitor compliance with recommendations and orders from Judge, and apprise Judge of progress made by family • Hearings are scheduled as needed to deal with continuing issues and violations
Stakeholders • The Chief District Court Judge for the 19th Judicial District • Randolph County Schools Administration and School Social Workers • Asheboro City Schools Administration and Truancy Staff • The District Attorney’s Office for the 19th Judicial District • Randolph County Sheriff’s Office • Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court • Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention • Randolph County Department of Social Services • Representatives from Mental Health in Randolph County • Randolph County Health Department • Juvenile Day Reporting Center
Thank You For Your Time and Interest in Truancy Court! For More Information, Please Contact The Randolph County School’s Truancy Social Worker