Truancy Prevention Program

Truancy Prevention Program

Our Goal To Reduce Truancy

Truancy Prevention and Counseling Program’s goal is to reduce unexcused absences, which will encourage completion in school and furthering education. The service includes home visitation, supportive counseling, referral, advocacy, parental involvement, and case management to assist youth in reaching their full potential. This program is offered to any youth enrolled in the Waterbury Public School System that have been identified as truant, meaning that the youth has either four unexcused absences in a one month period, or eleven unexcused absences in one school year.

Truancy Prevention Program

EVERY DAY COUNTS • EVERY STUDENT MATTERS

Truancy Prevention Case Managers:

Receive referrals from school attendance counselors

Make contact with families via phone calls, letters, and home visits

Meet with families to discuss the attendance policy and assess attendance issues

Address attendance issues by encouraging communication with school, providing counseling, and referring to appropriate resources

Conduct follow up meetings and maintain contact with families to provide further assistance

BRIGHT FUTURES START WITH GOOD ATTENDANCE

Take Action To Help Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism

Tips For Parents and Families

1. Make getting to school on time everyday a high priority in your family.

2. Talk with your child about the importance of school attendance from an early age and the negative effects of too many absences.

3. When necessary, create a safe space for your child  to share what’s keeping them from participating in school on a regular basis.

4. Have a back-up plan for getting your child to school when there are difficulties with transportation, family illness, or other challenges.

5. Schedule doctor and other appointments for after-school hours whenever possible.

6. Monitor students’ school attendance to make sure your child is in class every day.

7. Contact your child’s school to discuss supports and services that can help your child maintain regular school attendance.

U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Justice Every Student Every Day: A Community Toolkit to Address and Eliminate Chronic Absenteeism, Washington, D.C., 2015