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Welcome to the Cobb County School District’s Truancy Prevention and
Intervention webpage. 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
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.
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