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Project 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