Issue 33
November 2018
Putting the Right Team Together to Tackle Habitual Truancy
CFCC's Truancy Court Program consists of volunteers and staff who
help students improve attendance, stay connected, and succeed.
 
Since 2005, the University of Baltimore School of Law Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC) has operated an early intervention truancy program that uses an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to identify and address the reasons underlying truant behavior. The model targets students who have 10 to 30 unexcused absences in the prior two quarters, in the belief that they still have academic, social, and emotional connections to the school.

For the 2018-2019 school year, CFCC is operating theTruancy Court Program (TCP) in five schools in Baltimore City.

CFCC's TCP capitalizes on the stature and authority of a volunteer District or Circuit Court judge or magistrate who leads weekly in-school meetings with truant students for two 10 -14 week sessions each school year (Fall and Spring). The TCP team (the volunteer TCP Judge, the TCP Mentor, the TCP Coordinator, the TCP Attorney, the TCP Social Worker, and a University of Baltimore law student) work together to identify the reasons underlying a child's truancy and to address them in a holistic, therapeutic, and non-adversarial manner. School contacts play an essential role in the program, collecting weekly academic and attendance data on the students and participating in the weekly meetings. Volunteer tutors from the University of Baltimore community provide academic support for TCP students.

Each team member brings skills and experiences to the table that are essential to help students and their families change the patterns of truancy. The TCP Judge and the TCP Attorney are highlighted below:
The Truancy Court Program Judge
 
The TCP is a powerful experience for both TCP students and the TCP Judge. For many participants, it is the first time that a Judge, with all her/his stature and authority in the community, meets with them one-on-one, really listens to them, and offers help. The TCP fosters a strong connection among the TCP Judge, the TCP students, and the TCP families. The TCP Judge builds trust with children and families whom they might otherwise see only during a court case.
 
Judge Bryant speaks about the benefits of the Truancy Court Program
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette M. Bryant has volunteered for the TCP for more than a decade. She passionately advocates for a holistic approach to address truancy. She says, When we look at this problem, we have to root out the reasons why the child is not attending and participating fully. If we don't look at these kids as individuals and find out why they are not coming to school, we will never be able to solve their problems.
 
In theTCP, a different judge or magistrate volunteers in each school, which requires a commitment of one to two hours per week. The judge's roles and responsibilities include:
  • Leading the weekly TCP in-school meetings with the students
  • Reviewing the student's weekly attendance and teacher reports (a sample is provided in the TCP Toolkit) at the TCP table
  • Collaborating with the TCP team, families, and students to identify and address the reasons why students are not coming to school
  • Assisting TCP students/families with resources and referrals, as needed
  • Addressing students, families, and school staff at TCP orientations and graduations
Judges' participation in the TCP is key to the program's success. Students are inspired by and respond to the faith that judges have in them, and they are visibly proud when the judge hands them a graduation certificate or a certificate of completion at the graduation ceremony.

The Truancy Court Program Attorney
 
The TCP Attorney's roles and responsibilities include: 
  • Identifying, analyzing, and addressing the legal issues that create barriers to school attendance for TCP students and their families, such as homelessness, educational supports, custodial difficulties, health care, and public benefits
  • Providing TCP students and families with referrals to local legal services
  • Attending school meetings pertaining to TCP students (e.g., special education meetings)
  • Advocating within the school system and public agencies on behalf of TCP students, families, and their schools on issues relating to special education, public benefits, housing, and legal rights and responsibilities, among others
  • Educating families, students, teachers, and staff on students' rights and responsibilities and teaching students and families how to advocate for themselves
One of the most valuable services provided by the TCP Attorney is helping students and families navigate the complicated paths to obtain services for which they qualify. For example, a 16-year old TCP student had graduated from eighth grade despite missing 100 days of school and taking care of her infant. As a freshman, she was still struggling to read. The TCP Attorney advocated on her behalf with the school's Individualized Education Program (IEP) Board and obtained an IEP plan for her.

If you want to improve your truancy intervention program, consider adding judges and attorneys to the team.
For more information about CFCC's Truancy Court Program  and the Truancy Court Program Toolkit, email CFCC at cfcc@ubalt.edu or  visit our website.
  

About CFCC

The Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts promotes policies and practices that unite families, communities and the justice system to improve the lives of children and families and the health of communities. CFCC advocates the use of therapeutic jurisprudence, the understanding that the legal system has an effect on behavior, emotions and mental health.

Barbara A. Babb is the Associate Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore; Founder and Director of Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC); Director of the Post-J.D. Certificate in Family Law program at the University of Baltimore; and Editor-in-Chief of the Family Court Review. 

CFCC Staff and Contributors: Michele Hong, Program Manager; Arion Alston, Truancy Court Program Mentor; Spencer Hall, Truancy Court Program Coordinator;  Katie Davis, Truancy Court Program Attorney; Katrice Williams, Program Administrative Specialist.

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