Audra Wolf
School Attendance Service
Coordinator
Cell: 740-422-9095
Phone: 740-652-7282
Email: audra.wolf@fairfieldcountyohio.gov
David Heeter
School Attendance Service
Coordinator
Cell: 740-422-9094
Phone: 740-652-7283
Email: david.heeter@fairfieldcountyohio.gov
Dennis Surbaugh
School Attendance Service
Coordinator
Cell: 740-422-9132
Phone: 740-652-7291
Email: dennis.surbaugh@fairfieldcountyohio.gov

A school absence prevention collaboration between Fairfield County Family, Adult & Children First Council and Fairfield County Juvenile Court

What is the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention?

 

In general, the community-based school attendance intervention is a way to work with youth and families who are suffering from school attendance related issues informally, within the community, and avoid formal processing of youth/parent within the Fairfield County Juvenile Court.

 

The goals of the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention:

 

  • Allow the youth/parent to acknowledge their responsibility in ensuring successful school attendance of youth.
  • Link youth and family with needed community resources and supports.
  • Prevent involvement with the juvenile justice system.

 

 

Who is eligible for the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention?

 

Any Fairfield County youth or family that is suffering from school attendance related issues where a complaint has been filed with the Fairfield County Prosecutor and would otherwise require a formal court filing are eligible for the intervention.

 

What to expect if you participate in the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention?

The youth and or parents or guardians are required to attend a meeting with a School Attendance Service Coordinator. This meeting consists of four parts:

  • Introduction—The School Attendance Service Coordinator introduces themselves and gets acquainted with the youth and family. The youth and family are asked to provide information concerning the youth, the family, and concerns surrounding the lack school attendance. Additionally, the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention is explained to them and the process for the day.
  • Review of Offense—The School Attendance Service Coordinator reads to the youth and or parent the complaint. At this time, the family can admit to or deny the offense and agree to participate in the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention. The family is encouraged to tell their side of the story and express any concerns they may have. If the family agrees to participate, the meeting will continue. If the family denies the offense, the meeting will end, and the report will be referred to the prosecutor for the family to respond to the charges in court.
  • Assessment of Youth and Family Concerns—If the family agrees to participate, the meeting will continue, and the School Attendance Service Coordinator will assess the youth and family for concerns utilizing a Clinical Risk Assessment. Some areas which are considered are success at school, peer relations, drug/alcohol involvement, family dynamics, etc. This is done in an effort to link the youth and/or family to appropriate community resources.
  • Enhanced Absence Intervention Plan—The final stage of the meeting involves contracting with the youth and family to accept responsibility for the school attendance matter and working with the School Attendance Service Coordinator to create an enhanced absence intervention plan (EAIP) that details what actions must be done and by who in order to have successful and regular school attendance and engagement. The EAIP is signed by both the youth and the parent as an agreement to actively participate in the intervention.

 

What are the terms of the EAIP?

Enhanced Absence Intervention Plan terms are highly variable and depend on the youth and family needs. Some examples of terms utilized in the past are counseling, drug/alcohol treatment, pro-social activity involvement, etc. However, as mentioned above, terms are highly variable due to the individuality of each family and situation.

 

How long is a family involved with the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention?

The average length of a Community-Based School Attendance Intervention case is 90 days. However, the length of time a family is involved with the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention depends on the youth and family. The sooner the EAIP contract tasks are completed, with improved regular school attendance, the sooner the family successfully completes Community-Based School Attendance Intervention.

 

What if I do not want to participate in the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention?

Participation in the Community-Based School Attendance Intervention Program is voluntary. However, if the family chooses not to participate in Community-Based School Attendance Intervention and/or denies the offense, the complaint is then forwarded back to the Fairfield County Prosecutor’s Office and the family will be assigned a Court case manager and will then be referred to Court-Based programming.

 

For more information/questions call:

Dumitru R. “Raz” Sabaiduc M.S.S.

Executive Director: FACFC

831 College Avenue, Suite C

Lancaster, Oh 43130
Email: dumitru.sabaiduc@fairfieldcountyohio.gov

Phone: (740)-652-7284