Truancy Intervention Services

Eaton Regional Education Service Agency has provided truancy intervention services for the families of Eaton County for over 15 years. As with many districts in Michigan, truancy is a serious concern in Eaton County.

Truancy often leads to academic failure, dropping out of school, substance abuse, delinquency, and other risky behaviors. Truancy, in most cases, is a symptom of poor family management, not a stand-alone problem. A partnership between school officials, parents, students, and the truancy coordinator is necessary to determine the reason behind truancy and school phobia. Normally, only after this partnership has exhausted all avenues would a case be submitted to the court for jurisdiction.

Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) data for Eaton County is available, reporting risk and protective factors, alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use, health and safety, suicide ideation, violence, weight and nutrition, and physical activity.

What you can do to encourage student timeliness and attendance:

  • Set an early bedtime so getting up is easier.
  • Create a consistent night and morning routine for all.
  • Leave extra time for the unexpected when setting alarms.
  • Prep lunches, clothing and supplies needed the night before. For info about free meals at school contact 517.241.5374.
  • Schedule appointments for after school or on half days.
  • Allow your child to miss school when truly sick. Refer to school handbook/health guidelines.
  • Communicate with your child’s school when absent or tardy.
  • Have a backup plan in case of transportation challenges.
  • To support student academic success, visit  free online tutoring services.

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

  • Elementary Students: Read well by the end of third grade
  • Middle Schoolers: Pass their courses
  • High Schoolers: Stay on track for graduation and prepare for what is next. 
  • High Education Students: Earn their degrees or professional, technical or vocational certifications. 
  • Workers: Success in their jobs. 

Too many absences, excused or unexcused, can keep students from succeeding in school and in their lives.
How many absences are too many? Answer: Ten percent of the school year — 18 missed days a year or 2 days a month. For more age-specific attendance help, visit Attendance Works.

Additional Resources

International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center National Dropout Prevention Center Network Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Contact

Harriett Dean
Prevention Specialist - Truancy
517.541.8920

Truancy Referral Form

Please read and complete below in its entirety. If you have any questions, please contact Harriett Dean and Laurie Marshall.

Recommended Timeframes

  • 1st letter at 5-10 days undocumented/unexcused absences 
  • 2nd letter at 10-15 days undocumented/unexcused absences and referral to Truancy before the 20th day. 
  • Recommended timeframes have shown to reflect optimal service with parent/student for positive outcome.
1. Referring Administrator
2. Student Information
3. Parent Information
Do parents live together
With whom does the student reside?
Trauncy Information
All information should be school year to date of referral:
Are most absences related to a documented illness?
Have the parents cooperated with school officials and are they concerned about their child’s attendance or behavior in school?
Has the student been tested for special education/504 services?
Is student receiving services?
Has the parent been notified that the school is obligated by law to make a truancy/educational neglect referral?   (required)
Does the student have fixed, adequate and/or regular housing?
Are there sibling(s) in this school district who have been or should be referred for Truancy intervention?
Notes are readily available documenting conversations and meetings for court review if requested.
List date of occurrence:
*(Recommended timeframe – 1st letter at 5-10 days undocumented/unexcused absences and 2nd letter at 10-15 days undocumented/unexcused absences and referral to Truancy before the 20th day)
List number of occurrences:
Eaton County residence has been verified.
Please include Attendance (School year to date) (required)
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Please include record of current grades (required)
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Please include copies of warning letters (required)
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Include other pertinent forms including documented intervention efforts and success plan if applicable.
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