Circuit Court First Judicial Circuit Of Florida

CIRCUIT COURT FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA

I <; 2009 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS OFFiCF ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA

November 9, 2009 ROSS M. GOODMAN CIRCUIT JUDGE Malcolm Thomas, Superintendent of Schools To: Escambia Comity School Board Members Donna Waters, Attorney for School Board Vickie Mathis, Director of Alternative Education Re:

1800 ST. MARY'S STREET PENSACOLA, FLORIDA 32501

TELEPHONE (850) 595-371.5 FAX (850)595-0451 ROBIN R. WHITE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT

School Truancy Operations Program (STOP)

Since 2008, the Escambia County Truancy Committee members have met on several occasions regarding a School Truancy Operation Program (STOP). The members of this committee consist of our local Law Enforcement (Sheriff and Police Department), Department of Children and Families, Department of Juvenile Justice, Lutheran Services (Currie House), General Education Department (GED), the Hope Center, and myself. There is a Truancy crisis in Escambia County. Truancy data collected by the Escambia County School District shows a continual increase of Truancy cases filed in Escambia County Juvenile Division in the past three years.1 Escambia County children cannot obtain a successful education if they are not in the classroom. Escambia County has a model Protocol and referral process entitled the STOP Program which can be implemented immediately. (See enclosed Protocol). The goal of this program is to help schools and the courts to address the Truancy issue in our community and divert Truants away from the criminal justice system. This Program will focus on early intervention with the intent to make students responsible and parents accountable for school attendance as well as focus on issues and problems involving the family and the child. Truancy isn't just about missing school. Truancy is about intervention to resolve the obstacles that are preventing a student from attending school. I speak for a unanimous committee that the STOP Program will serve a vital need in our community, and urgently request that you consider the implementation of the STOP program. Respectfully,

Honorable RoWGtrottman Circuit Judge

1

Escambia County School District reports the following number of cases filed in Truancy Court: 2006/07 - 65 cases: 2007/08 - 81 cases; 2008/09 - 96 cases.

STOP Protocol

1. LEO transports youth to the HC and completes referral form. Youth may be referred if they are truant, suspended, expelled, or court ordered. 2. Intake is completed by HC staff to determine youth's needs and severity of truancy problem.

3. After intake, HC staff will contact school board social workers and DCF to advise that the youth has been brought to STOP. DCF will determine if youth is known to their system and may recommend a call to the abuse hotline. If case is open to DCF the caseworker will be notified of the youth's situation. 4. If the youth is already adjudicated truant in truancy court, a notice will be sent to the presiding truancy judge. 5. Parents will be notified of youth's location and pick up time. Parents must pick up youth no later than 5pm. At the end of the day HC staff will contact LSF, CH to complete a screening for shelter eligibility in case parents do not show. 6. HC will engage youth in age appropriate educational curriculum. 7. If truancy is a single incident, HC staff/counselor will meet with youth and parents together to address incident and put a plan in place to prevent further truancy. HC will follow up. 8. If truancy is severe or intake indicates more serious problems, youth and/or parents may be referred for additional services. (These services could be provided by HC or referred to other community resources.) 9. The related referrals for educational services might include the Saturday Program, withdrawal from regular school and admitted to HC for school for GED prep, Florida Virtual School, Judy Andrews Center, PACE Center for Girls, Charter Schools, George Stone Technology Center oi other identified options. 10. When discussing these options with the youth/family, expectations for each choice, including youth/family responsibilities and commitments, should be made clear. 11. HC will notify the parent, LEO and the school of all youth who leave the center without a parent. 12. HC will provide follow-up for all youth who are referred to the STOP.

DCF—Department of Children and Families GED—General Education Development HC-HOPE Center

LEO—Law Enforcement Officer LSF, CH—Lutheran Services Florida, Currie House STOP-School Truancy Operations Program

STOP PROGRAM REFERRAL FORM Date: Agency/Unit:

From: Phone:

Referring the following student DOB:

Name:

SSN:

Address:

School Attending:

Grade:

Caretaker:

Relationship:

Phone (home):

(work):

(cell):

Signature: Reason for Referral: (please be specific)

LI Truancy

Explain circumstances surrounding pickup and referral

G Suspended

(picked up off the streets, at school due to fight etc.)

a

Expelled

Q Court Order

Recommendations for follow up services:

Q Parent Education a

Life Skills

O School Enrollment