TranslateProject Sam
Project Sam (School Attendance Mediation) was designed as an early intervention to prevent truancy in elementary grades when patterns of school absenteeism, created by family circumstances, are first noticed. Recent research shows that school absence in early grades is a key predictor of high school dropout rates, delinquency, gang membership, substance abuse, early sexual intercourse and suicide.
Accepted to the Portfolio: December 2013
Target Outcomes
Short Term Outcomes
- Early identification of K - 6 youth at risk for truancy
- Families are connected to community services
- Improved school-family communication
- Parents understand the risks of truancy
- Improved parenting skills
Long Term Outcomes
- Increased public support for truancy prevention programs
- Decrease in K - 6 absenteeism
- Increased family and child resiliency
- Fewer litigated truancy cases
Target Population
Demographics
- Kindergarten - 12th Grade
Service Area
- Southeast (District 1)
- Central (District 3)
- Northeast (District 4)
- Northwest (District 5)
Information
Program Funders
Many thanks to the following funders for making this program possible.
Local Funders
- City of Santa Rosa
- Sonoma County Office of Education
