Welcome
The issue of absenteeism from school is expansive. Addressing this issue requires a multi-dimensional approach that targets the student’s emotional, behavioral, academic, and vocational
competencies. The Cobb County School District works closely with law enforcement and a host of other public and private entities to address absenteeism. Please take a few moments and peruse the
contents of this webpage. We hope that you will find the information helpful.
Responsibilities of the Truancy Court Coordinator
- Investigate Truancy Referrals
- Present case relevant information during court hearings
- Assist the Cobb County Juvenile Court’s Truancy Court during case staffings
- Gather case related information and prepare statistical reports
- Attend Cobb County Attendance Protocol Committee meetings
- Provide support services to school social workers, school administrators, school attendance clerks, and others
- Work closely with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice to ensure compliance with the Official Code of Georgia Annotated 160-4-8-17 Case Management Consultation for Agency Placed Transfer Students
- Conducts case management services
- Works closely with other agencies providing services to Cobb County students
- Delivers presentations to community and professional organizations
- Works closely with law enforcement agencies throughout Cobb County to ensure student compliance with Official Code of Georgia 20-2-690.1 Compulsory Attendance
Important Links
How is Truancy addressed in the Cobb County Juvenile Court?
Student’s referred to the Cobb County Juvenile Court by the Cobb County School District are cited with a violation of O.C.G.A 20-2-612 Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law. Cases referred to the court are
reviewed to determine the most appropriate course of action to be taken. Many cases each year are reviewed by a judge. Other cases are diverted to the Court’s mediation program.
Regardless of the course the case takes the stakes are high. Student’s winding up in court face the possibility of probation, community service, fines, submit to drug screens and even prison tours. In some
cases the student is given a curfew. Student’s who are placed on probation may even serve time in a detention facility if they fail to attend school. Those students who are suspected of gang involvement or
substance abuse are referred to specialized programs within the Court for assessment. If it is determined the student is gang-affiliated or using substances their case will be referred to the appropriate unit for
supervision. Again, the stakes are high!
In August 2006, the Cobb Juvenile Court created a truancy court. It is called the STAR program. This program, under the direction of Honorable Judge Joanne E. Elsey, is a specialized program that incorporates
a team approach this program has had a tremendous impact on participants and their families. Program participants are required to pass through four phases. In addition, each participant must choose a career they
are interested in pursuing and complete a project. While engaging in this project each student contacts someone who works in their chosen career. Upon contact, the participant must ask a series of questions that
are pre-approved by court staff. Once the participant has completed their project they must present their findings to the court. During the 2006-2007 school year the STAR program served 15 students.
Law Enforcement’s Response to Truancy
Recognizing there can be a correlation between truancy and increases in delinquent behavior law enforcement throughout Cobb County has pledged to assist in addressing this issue.
Each year law enforcement officers join together to conduct county-wide truancy sweeps. Officers spotting school-aged youth stop these youth and once it is determined the youth is skipping school transport
said youth to a centralized meeting place. Upon arrival school social workers make contact with the youth’s parents, who are required to pick their child up. In addition, the school social worker assigned to the
student’s school is contacted to ensure follow-up services are provided.
During the 2007 school year school social workers and law enforcement officers met with Cobb Juvenile Court to discuss methods for addressing truancy in the South Cobb area. The City of Powder Springs has
created an Ordinance addressing truancy.
Each year law enforcement conducts data analysis to assess the number of delinquent acts committed by student’s ages 12-17 in an effort to determine those areas in greatest need of increased patrol or other
interventions.
Residents and business owners spotting school aged youth in the community or in their business establishment during business hours should contact the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction of their
location.
Important Community Resources
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Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
www.djj.state.ga.us
Cobb Operations Office
1600 South Cobb Drive
Marietta, Georgia 30008
Telephone - 770-528-6660
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice provides supervision and supportive services to youth who have been committed to the Department by court order. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice also
provides detention services.
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Juvenile Court Of Court
www.cobbcounty.org
1738 County Services Parkway
Marietta, Georgia 30008
Telephone - 770-528-2220
The Juvenile Court of Cobb County provides supervision and support services for those youth found to be unruly or delinquent by the Court. The court also handles custody and deprivation cases. The Court is
comprised of many divisions to include: the Court Appointed Special Advocate, Adolescent Substance Abuse, Gang Suppression, Truancy, Youth Diversion, and Judicial-Citizen Review Panels.
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Cobb Co. Department of Family and Children Services
www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov
325 Fairground Street
Marietta, Georgia 30060
Telephone - 770-528-5000
Provides shelter care services for deprived children. Also, provides therapeutic, rehabilitative, and reunification services for families and individuals in need.
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Cobb Community Collaborative
www.cobbcollaaborative.org
995 Roswell Street, Suite 326
Marietta, Georgia 30060
The Cobb Community Collaborative, Inc. is a consortium of nonprofits, businesses and faith-based organizations that shares ideas, expertise and resources and is committed to improving the quality of life
for all residents in Cobb County, Georgia. Collaborative Members work to coordinate services that address community needs and issues.
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Cobb Community Services Board
www.cobbcsb.com
Child and Adolescent Mental Health And Substance Abuse
6133 Love Street
Austell, Georgia 30168
Telephone- 770-819-9229
The Cobb County Community Services Board and the Douglas County Community Services Board are public agencies created by state law to provide mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse
services. The service areas are Cobb, Douglas, and Cherokee Counties, Georgia. The agency provides support to over 14,000 people annually. The majority of funds utilized to provide services are generated
through a contract with the State of Georgia, Medicaid and Medicare revenue, Cobb County, Douglas County, Vocational Rehabilitation, grants, private pay and donations.
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Important Law Enforcement Contacts
Cobb County Police Department has now made it available for you to view many of the crimes that occur where you live or work.
This system is called PENS - Police Email Notification System. The web site address is http://police.cobbcountyga.gov/pens.
Once you click onto this link, please look to the left and you will see the five precincts in Cobb County. The Cumberland area is
Precinct 3. Click on this and again you will see several links on the top left side. To see the property crimes reported to Cobb
Police click on the “Crime Reports” This will show you all the property crimes (burglaries, entering autos, thefts etc.) that
occurred within the last 30 days. In addition to Crime Reports, there are three other links: BOLO - Be On the Look Out, Crime
and Traffic stats and the Home page.