202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention

The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Discuss the term truancy in Pennsylvania Recognize the urgency of addressing truancy Identify the underlying factors that place children and youth at risk for truancy Define the importance of cross-systems collaboration in the prevention and intervention of truancy Identify strategies, including Truancy Elimination Plans/School Attendance Improvement Plans, for preventing and intervening in truancy 2

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Competencies The Independent Living Professional understands the process of conducting initial and ongoing assessments of the education, employment, housing, and life skills needs of youth. The worker is able to use the assessment process to develop and monitor individualized Independent Living Program plans for youth. 3

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Competencies cont’d The Independent Living Professional understands his/her role in providing a spectrum of training, support, and referral services for youth. The worker is able to secure supplemental services by developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with substitute caregivers, children and youth staff, private provider agencies, school personnel, human service agencies, and community members The Child Welfare Professional understands the purpose and operations of multi-disciplinary service teams, can function as a contributing member of the team, knows how to advocate for the family, and can coordinate services from a variety of service providers. 4

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Agenda Welcome and Introductions Assessment and Understanding Prevention and Intervention Strategies Summary and Evaluation 5

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Examining the Data How does the truancy rate for your county compare with the rate for your region? How might you explain the difference/similarity? Look at your region and identify the county with the highest truancy rate and the county with the lowest truancy rate – what might be some explanations for this? In the 3 years of data given, do you notice any significant increases or decreases in truancy rate for your county and/or your region? What might explain this? 6

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Categories of Factors Contributing to Truancy Child/Youth Family School Community 7

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Consequences of Truancy Dropping out of school Alcohol and drug abuse Gang activity Delinquency Unemployment Emotional problems Incarceration Poverty in adulthood 8

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Six Critical Components for Successfully Addressing Truancy 1.Collaboration 2.Family Involvement 3.Comprehensive Approach 4.Use of Incentives and Sanctions 5.Development of a Supportive Context 6.Evaluation of the Program 9

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Components of a Truancy Elimination Plan (TEP)/School Attendance Improvement Plan (SAIP) Assessment (identifying root causes of truancy and possible solutions –student issues; parent/guardian issues; school issues) Student’s strengths and responsibilities Family’s strengths and responsibilities Method of monitoring the effectiveness of the TEP/SAIP Consequences of not fully implementing the TEP/SAIP Benefits of successful implementation of the TEP/SAIP Follow-up and reporting outcomes 10

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center TEP/SAIP Peer Review What possible root causes are identified in the assessment? Are there others? What student issues, parent/guardian issues, and school issues are identified in the assessment? Are they identified in the solutions? What student strengths are identified? What family strengths are identified? What solutions are identified and who is responsible for implementing the solutions? What are the consequences for non-compliance? What are the benefits of successful implementation? 11

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Questions 12

202: Truancy: Prevention and Intervention The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center Summary and Evaluations Your feedback helps PACWRC to continuously improve the quality and relevance of our courses. 13