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| Truancy Reduction Demonstration Program |
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Overview | Funding | Evaluation | TTA | Contacts | Resources | FAQs | | What's New | Top | | OJJDP and the U.S Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools sponsored "Partnering To Prevent Truancy: A National Priority," a national conference on truancy prevention which was held December 6–8, 2004 in Washington, DC. | | Overview | Top | The Truancy Reduction Demonstration Program began in 1998 as a cooperative effort of OJJDP, the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (U.S. Department of Education), and the Executive Office for Weed and Seed (now OJP’s Community Capacity Development Office ). The following program sites were selected to implement truancy reduction programs incorporating the following components: community collaboration, public awareness efforts, a continuum of services for families, and successful system reform.
- Contra Costa County Weed and Seed Office, Contra Costa County, CA.
- King County Superior Court, King County, WA.
- Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office, Houston, TX.
- Project PACT (Partnering to Assess and Counteract Truancy), Wainaie, HI.
- Safe Streets Campaign Truancy Project, Tacoma, WA.
- State Attorney's Office, Jacksonville, FL.
- Suffolk County Probation Department, Suffolk County, NY.
Although each program site targets a distinct population and takes a different approach, all are guided by a strong collaborative partnership that encompasses schools, juvenile justice, social services, and community-based organizations.
Descriptions of each program model and contact information for project directors are available at www.truancyprevention.org. | | Evaluation | Top | The Colorado Foundation for Families and Children is evaluating the Truancy Reduction Demonstration Program. The evaluation has two principal purposes:
- Document the successes and challenges local communities face when developing a comprehensive, systemwide truancy reduction program.
- Identify best practices that can be shared with other communities.
All seven sites are participating in evaluation activities, which include tracking youth in attendance, achievement, and attachment. In 2003, the evaluation design was enhanced in three of the sites (Houston, Jacksonville, and King County) to include comparison groups and examine sustained effects. Final evaluation findings are expected in late 2005. Preliminary evaluation results for each site are available at www.truancyprevention.org.
| | Contacts | Top | | OJJDP Contact(s) | Janet Chiancone
Associate Administrator, Budget and Administration Division
202-353-9258
janet.chiancone@usdoj.gov | Angela Parker
Program Manager
202-353-9252
angela.parker@usdoj.gov | | Evaluation Contact(s) | Colorado Foundation for Families and Children
303 East 17th Avenue, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80203
303-837-8466
303-837-8496 (fax)
info@coloradofoundation.org
http://www.coloradofoundation.org | | Resources | Top | | OJJDP Publication(s) | Tool Kit for Creating Your Own Truancy Reduction Program
Tool Kit, February 2007. Outlines critical components of truancy programs such as family involvement, use of incentives and sanctions, developing a support network, and program evaluation. Available online only. NCJ 217271.
Abstract | | Link(s) | National Center for School Engagement
Provides truancy prevention tools, an annotated bibliography of truancy-related publications, and program descriptions and contact information for National Truancy Reduction Program demonstration sites. |
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