What is the Truancy Intervention Program?

Why is Truancy a community problem?

What services are offered by the Truancy Center?

What is the Truancy Intervention Process?

Who are our community partners?

Causes and Effects of truancy to the students and others

Other Information regarding truancy

Michigan Law

School Attendance is a parent's responsibility




     School staff contacts the truancy center for assistance with unexcused/unverified skipped absences or excessive tardies. Depending on the circumstances, the truancy coordinator may schedule a conference to determine the cause of the absences and offer assistance through prevention service agencies. Prevention services can be introduced at any point during the truancy process. Another option is to process the student for a first truancy offense. In this case the following steps would be taken:

     1. The truancy coordinator contacts the County Juvenile Officer
     2. The truancy intervention coordinator may contact a police officer to serve the        parent/guardian with the necessary notice.
     3. The parent may be required to meet with the school principal and/or truancy        coordinator
     4. If the student’s attendance improves, the student may receive a reward       donated by the business community.

     If the student’s attendance does not improve, the student can be processed for a second offense. The truancy coordinator notifies the prosecutor’s office. The Truancy Center prepares a letter to the parent. A police officer will make contact with the parent. The parent and student (if age appropriate) are now required to attend prevention service classes. If attendance improves the student may receive a reward.
     Then if the parent or student does not attend prevention service classes and/or attendance does not improve the truancy coordinator contacts the prosecutor’s office for possible court intervention. The prosecutor’s office may authorize a warrant for the parent(s) arrest or petition the parent and/or child into family court. The parent(s) and/or student go to court.
     The Truancy Intervention Program is a collaborative effort with many community partners. The program is based on a series of increased consequences for parent(s) and/or students with continued poor attendance. At the same time, prevention services are in place to assist the student/parent(s). The truancy center exhausts all resources prior to requesting court intervention.
     A reward program is in place for students with improved attendance. Businesses within the community donate reward incentives. Many at-risk students get very little praise at home. It is important to recognize improved behavior.