5th Annual Central California Truancy Summit The SARB Process 5th Annual Central California Truancy Summit May 5, 2016 Presented By Lupe Aguilera and Debbie Terry Tulare Joint Union High School District

School district are responsible for taking legal action for violations of compulsory school attendance laws. Parents, guardians, or persons in charge are responsible for their student’s attendance at school. California Compulsory Education Law Requires that everyone between the ages of six and eighteen years of age to attend school, except sixteen and seventeen year-olds who have graduated from high school or have passed the California High School Proficiency EXAM and obtained parental permission to leave.

Early Interventions When students begin missing school, early intervention is critical. The first step in this process is to ensure that student attendance, including both excused and unexcused absences, are routinely tracked and reviewed by school site personnel. Daily proactive phone calls ex; Attendance Clerks, Liaisons, Counselors and Teachers, etc. Parent and student conferences SST meetings, AP meetings, SART meeting etc.

Home-Visits for identified students Liaisons conduct home-visits, transport student and assist with attendance interventions.

Community Connections Referrals to appropriate agencies when needed ex. Attendance letters mailed to the home A2A automated system or attendance clerks

Continued Interventions Individual attendance Incentives Rewards for small strides make a difference to a child Teacher and School Site Incentives Rewards for teachers and sites who make a difference in children's lives encourages continued effort.

Documentation on School Informational Systems of all Interventions Displays a history of attendance and behaviors issues in an orderly fashion. Identifies Interventions Contact attempts SARB Court

Collaboration and Communication between Tulare Joint Union High and Tulare City Schools Attend SARB Meetings for both districts Early identification of at risk students Knowledge of incoming 8th grade students with attendance issues, on SARB contracts or are need of additional supports Identify families with attendance issues and SARB all students in one SARB meeting.

The SARB Process Can be an effective tool to combat truancy and chronic absenteeism. Is a process of notice and intervention that enforces compulsory attendance laws with the goal of returning students to regular school attendance. Is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, problem- solving approach seeks to identify and address barriers to attendance as well as coordinate services between school, community, and home.

Strong SARB Board Representatives Law Enforcement Tulare Youth Services Child Welfare Services County District Attorneys Office Community-Based Youth Service Center School Site Administrator PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) School Psychologist District/School Nurse Child Welfare and Attendance Officer Special Ed Director (only for SPED students)

Students Meeting Criteria for SARB Design specific attendance criteria for your districts population. EC 48263 Ensure legal letter process have been sent out to parent prior to SARB meeting Ensure home-visits (home-visit or preferably more than one) have been conducted Ensure parent and student meeting has been conducted or attempted. Send out SARB appointment letter 10 days prior to meeting -can send via US postal mail, email and/or home-visit. Reminder phone calls.

SARB Referral Packet Coversheet (student information) Current Student Attendance (with notes) Student’s Discipline log Intervention log Nurse logs (confidential information not included) Make copies for each person on the SARB panel Cum File

Set-Up: Prior to SARB meeting SARB contracts (English/Spanish) SARB Confidentiality form Ensure tables set Optional-Nameplates SARB list for front office to assist when families arrive. Sign in sheet (SARB Board)

Agenda (SARB Board) Provide copy of student information for (SARB Board) and (student’s parent) Pens and note paper (SARB Board) Business cards Optional; Water, coffee, snacks

Students on a SARB Contract Refer to appropriate community resources if needed Refer to counseling, psychologists, TYSB, Turning Point etc.. Ensure directives are being followed Monitor students attendance Make contact when attendance issues continue Make court referral if needed