Program aims to keep Clark County kids from missing too much school
More Clark County students and their parents may avoid criminal charges, mandatory community service and court fines thanks to an expanding program designed to keep children from missing too much school.
The Eighth Judicial District Court, backed by a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, will expand its truancy diversion project to all 356 elementary and secondary campuses in the Clark County School District.
The program, first established in 2002, currently places volunteer attorneys, judges and other professionals into 83 schools across Southern Nevada. The volunteers use attendance records, schoolwork and incentives, such as field trips and gift certificates, to convince students to attend classes regularly.
The alternative: harsh penalties for too many absences, including misdemeanor charges, court appearances and the confiscation of a student’s driver’s license.
“What’s the point of kicking someone out of school if they’re already missing school?” asked Darren Welsh, an attorney with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
For three years, he has volunteered with the truancy diversion program and spends about one hour each week meeting with truant students at Mack Middle School, near the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Lamb Boulevard.
The students explain their absences, set goals for better attendance and earn rewards for consistency. At the end of the year, volunteers such as Welsh celebrate with students during a “graduation” ceremony after 10 successful weeks.
“At that stage of their life, if that kid goes in the wrong direction, that’s a big hole to dig out of,” Welsh said.
“There’s a major difference between the one (absence) for a funeral or visit to Knott’s Berry Farm and the kid who lacks any parent involvement for many, many factors,” he added. “I don’t know why there are so many children without lack of guidance right now, but we’ve got to help.”
State law requires schools to mark students as habitual truants after they have at least one unexcused absence on at least three separate days. The school district reported more than 243,000 truant children last year.
That’s about two-thirds of the entire student population and up from about 120,000 truant students in 2013-14.
Students with open court cases are not eligible to participate in the truancy diversion program.
As the district court plans to triple the program’s footprint to all CCSD campuses, it also needs to find volunteers to work once a week at each school.
Interested judges, attorneys and other qualified applicants can find more information at clarkcountycourts.us or call 702-321-2410.
Contact Neal Morton at nmorton@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279. Find him on Twitter: @nealtmorton
