1. Truancy Court Of Randolph County

2. Purpose
Truancy Court was created as a bridge between the judicial system and the school system to promote attendance, diminish delinquency, and promote educational success.

3. Objectives Improve school attendance Improve academic performance
Increase parental supervision and monitoring of youth activities
Decrease in-school and out-of-school suspension for behavior through the parenting component
Integrate existing support services to wrap around students and their families

4. Referrals Include
Students aged 6 to 15 ½ years of age who are not compliant with the School Attendance Law (NC G.S. 115C-378)

5. Why
Youth are not successful in school are at risk of involvement in crime and violence
They are under supervised and subject to negative influences
Data suggests that level of education is correlated with success throughout many facets of one’s life
There are Accountability issues for Public Education (No Child Left Behind)
Attendance is the Law.

6. When and Where
Truancy Court is held for a half day once or twice a month at the Randolph County Courthouse.

7. A Model of an Existing Pre-Court Referral Process
Letters of notification to parents when the student has 3, 6, and 10 days of unexcused absences
School Social Worker contacts family and works with student and family to address needs and improve attendance
Principal and social worker determine the student is out of compliance with attendance laws, letter is sent to D.A.’s office and DSS with a copy going to parent.
Parents are invited to discuss situation with school administrators at any time.

8. Juvenile Process
Truancy Coordinator creates a court file including interventions, results from needs assessment, recommendations addressing attendance, behavioral, and academic aspects
Coordinator facilitates additional interventions and/or files juvenile complaint
DJJDP Counselor makes final decision for legal intervention involving juveniles.

9. Criminal Process
File created by Truancy Coordinator also addresses family environment and results of interactions with parents/guardians. Recommendations offered to assist family in being compliant with attendance laws.
Coordinator facilitates additional interventions or directs social workers to file criminal summons for truancy
Criminal Summons are served by Randolph County Law Enforcement Officers

10. Court
Consultations are held by coordinator with School Social Worker to discuss recommendations in preparation for court
Parents and students attend same court
District Attorney, Bailiff, and Public Defenders and/or Private Counsel are present in court and Judge hears testimony and adjudicates student, parent, or both

11. The Family
An assessment of the entire family is initiated to evaluate truancy predictors.
Court interventions are specific to the needs of each individual family member.

12. Monitoring
Truancy Coordinator, Juvenile Court Counselor, and School Social Worker monitor compliance with recommendations and orders from Judge, and apprise Judge of progress made by family
Hearings are scheduled as needed to deal with continuing issues and violations

13. Stakeholders
The Chief District Court Judge for the 19th Judicial District
Randolph County Schools Administration and School Social Workers
Asheboro City Schools Administration and Truancy Staff
The District Attorney’s Office for the 19th Judicial District
Randolph County Sheriff’s Office
Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court
Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Randolph County Department of Social Services
Representatives from Mental Health in Randolph County
Randolph County Health Department
Juvenile Day Reporting Center

14. Thank You For Your Time and Interest in Truancy Court!
For More Information, Please Contact The Randolph County School’s Truancy Social Worker