1. HISTORY Steeped in tradition since 1960s Initiated by group of citizens representing GCSD#9, GCPD & CYHS-Dusan Gagich, Joe Nemeth, Vas Eftimoff, & Bud MacMillian Developed to deter school drop-out, keep kids in school, and off the streets

2. GRANITE CITY TRUANCY

3. TRUANCY BLITZ Pro-active initiative to address chronic truancy issues Strategy devised in 1998 to compliment zero tolerance policies Services include: Full-page ad in newspaper publicizing local truancy ordinance Written correspondence to identified previous truants with incentives to improve current year attendance Head lice brochures distributed to all district #9 buildings Personal and written contacts made with students/families failing to register for school Home visits to identified health exclusion students Truancy Police runs

4. 1. REFERRAL PROCESS GCSD #9 staff generated referrals Phone calls Anonymous referrals E-mails Skyward 3-5 unexcused absences report generated

5. 2. INTERVENTIONS Report taken, documented, and plan developed Phone contacts – parent/guardian, home school Home visits – family conference or leave contact sticker Report back to home school Continue to monitor attendance through Skyward Referrals for support services – community/school based Written correspondence a) Non-attendance letter (6-8 unexcused absences) b) Court Warning letter (16-18 unexcused absences) Monthly Police run with truancy staff

6. SUPPORT SERVICES Community/School Based Support Services CHASI Catholic Charities Chestnut Health Kettler Center RAINBOWS/ Teen REACH Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Parent Skyward GCPD/SRO DCFS GCSD Administrators/ Nurses/Social Workers Madison County Probation Salvation Army

7. 3. LEGAL ACTION GCPD Monthly Truancy Runs Citation City Complaint filed (21 –25 days unexcused absences) Court appearance Fine, community service, fine abeyance, or continuance

8. SUMMARY OF SERVICES 1. REFERRAL PROCESS 2. INTERVENTIONS 3. LEGAL ACTION

9. 2007 SERVICES TO DATE 619 referrals received and services provided include: 471 home visits 457 telephone contacts 173 e-mails to parents 21 administrative/school contacts 28 non-attendance letters to parents 16 court warning letters to parents 46 Parents were referred to Skyward 10 Head lice kits and brochures distributed 37 referrals were made to counseling services 132 students referred to Koch Clinic for school physicals

10. LOCAL TRUANCY COMMITTEE GOALS CYHS Truancy staff to meet monthly with home school administration and staff CYHS Truancy staff to conduct in-service for GCPD at 7:00 a.m. roll call Pursue development of community service component as a court intervention Develop a social services continuum Document truancy referral status in Skyward Adapt and utilize Madison County Truancy Referral Form Initiate court action earlier in intervention process