Truancy Prevention and Student Success Program
Project Success
2,270 Miss Fewer Days of School, Increasing Educational Potential
This program provides school-aged youth services that promote the importance of education and prevent truancy. With United Way's funding, 72% of the 2.270 students served improved attendance, and 42% had zero absences following the Right Track program. |
Parents and students will learn the importance of regular school attendance, and as a result, students will attend school, be more likely to graduate, and be employable.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Shade
ph: (217) 421-8074
email: jane@projsuccess.org
Program Success Story:
Submitted by Project Success
United Way funding supports Project Success truancy prevention programming in seven of the 16 elementary schools where it is established. Following is a story from a Family Liaison who worked successfully through our Right Track program to resolve the problem of truancy for a family facing many severe challenges. Family Liaisons provide extensive outreach and follow up (home visits, linkage to services, etc.) for families such as these to address the root causes of the truant behavior. This intervention has yielded consistently positive results – last year 89% of all students referred for truancy through Project Success’ Right Track program significantly improved their attendance.
Her story reads as follows:
“I have a happy story about four students from______ school. I first saw the names of these siblings (a 3 year old girl, a five year-old girl, a five-year old boy twins, and a six year-old boy) when they appeared on my Right Track truancy list for missing over five days unexcused. As I investigated their situation, I found that they were being neglected. I also found their grandma, who loved them very much and wanted them to have a better life.
I worked with the Grandma, and as a team we got them to school on time. Eventually, Grandma was granted custody of her precious grand children.
My daughter and I took the children shopping for shoes one Saturday and were amazed when we entered their house. The roof was a tarp, the leaks ran down the walls and there was a terrible smell that was coming from the basement.
I delivered a Thanksgiving basket to the family and, as usual, received big hugs and a thousand thank yous. My church helped them with a gas card and some more food. But, that did not solve the problem of them living in a house that was not acceptable to live in.
Grandma had taken on a lease to own a contract on the house, so the landlord was not liable. She couldn't find other housing because she was under contract. She couldn't get government housing unless they walked away from the house and were declared homeless (which could affect Grandma's custody of the children.) I called and called the city repeating Grandma's name over and over again.
One year later, Grandma finally got into Wabash Crossing!!!! The family is so happy. I went over to visit. The children were so excited, not just to show me their rooms, but to show me that they could take a real bath and they could flush the toilet. Oh - the things we take for granted.
The children are no longer truant or on my Right Track list anymore, but they will always be on my "special" list. And Grandma and I will always be friends because I took the time to care.”
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