Student Welfare & Social Services Multidisciplinary Approach Dr. Cary Grant Director of Student Welfare and Social Services January 21, 2016

High Levels of Chronic Absence are Found in Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities Nationwide an estimated 5 million to 7.5 million students are chronically absent each year In some school districts, as many as one in four students are chronically absent. This is not just a high school problem. Low-income students are four times more likely to be chronically absent than their middle class peers. Chronic absence occurs even when the absences occur sporadically throughout the year.

Truancy is the First Indicator that a Young Person is Giving Up According to the US Department of Education, when young people start skipping school, they are telling their parents, school officials, and the community at large that they are in trouble and need of our help if they are to keep moving forward in life.

Truancy Is One of the Top Ten Major Problems Among Juveniles in the United States Early indicator and gateway to crime Cost to society and to the individual is substantial Truant girls are significantly more likely to become pregnant dropouts who are dependent on public assistance Educational neglect is often a pattern perpetrated through multiple generations of family members

Each Day of Absence in Ninth Grade is Associated with a Dramatically Reduced Likelihood of Graduating (Johns Hopkins University) 0-4 days out - 87% chance of graduating 5-9 days out - 63% chance of graduating 10-14 days out - 41% chance of graduating 15-19 days out - 21% chance of graduating 20-24 days out - 9% chance of graduating 25-29 days out - 5% chance of graduating 30-34 days out - 2% chance of graduating 35-40 days out - 1% chance of graduating

School Social Workers are the Link Between Home, School and Community Promoting and Supporting Students’ Academic and Social Success Direct with community resources Crisis prevention and intervention Collaborate with parents Case management for students and families requiring multiple needs Advocate for new and improved community/school services Interpret school law and school policy

HCS Student Welfare and Social Services Dr. Cary Grant (Director) Homebound Services Pam Palmer (Administrative Assistant Jim Christopher, History Julian Johnson, Science Leigh Ann Mize, English Arianna Fencl, Math Stephanie Jefferson, Special Ed Social Workers Connie Baer MSW Patricia McKellery BSW Patricia Corbitt MSW Audrey Bailey MSW Erroyl Foster Student Support Specialist Helen Drake Student Support Specialist Michael Kersjes Military Liasion Social Work internship Students Celina Tintori M.S. Bilingual

HCS Provides Diverse Resources to Intervene with At-Risk Students Student Welfare Specialist Parent Education Support Juvenile Court Referee Family Involvement home visits The Winning Foundation Mentoring Program Student Welfare intervention efforts to assist students and schools with Attendance 211 Services Alabama Association of Prevention Attendance and Support Services Equity cultural responsive education Military Liaison Homebound Teachers Problem Solving Teams Weekly Attendance Monitoring Attendance Policies and Regulations School Social Worker

Alabama Has a Compulsory Attendance Law Section 16-28-13: Every child between the ages of six and 17 years shall be required to attend a public school, private school, church school or be instructed by a competent private tutor for the entire length of the school term in every scholastic year Section 16-28-12: Requires that any parent/guardian who enrolls a student in school be responsible for the students’ regular attendance and proper conduct. It also provides that a parent may be fined $100.00 and receive up to 90 days in jail. Section 12-15-15: Parent may be fined $500.00 and receive up to one year of hard labor if convicted of parental neglect; contributing to the delinquency of a minor; or if the child is found to be a child in NEED OF SUPERVISION. They may also be required to pay restitution to the B.O.E

HCS Uses Progressive Intervention for Truant Students Petition Level 7-10 AU Juvenile Court Referee District Level 3rd-5TH AU (Phone call, letter, home-visit, Conference, Alignment of Resources and Early Warning Court School level intervention (Phone call from school to parent after 1st and 2nd Absence, referral to Student Services after 3rd AU

HCS Collaborates with Madison County Truancy Court Communication and collaboration in a strength-based problem solving arena Identification of the problem/intervention Accountability (students/school/family) Knowledge of truancy laws Resolution Truancy Reduction

HCS Student Welfare and Social Services was Actively Involved in Student Intervention During the 2014-15 School Year Phone Calls 9,841 Home Visits 701 School Visits 1,058 Probation Conferences 900 Services for Parents 742 Early Warnings Served 1,413 Truancy Court Cases 162 Juvenile Court Cases 63 Other Contact 7,386 Referrals from schools 4,733