Truancy Prevention Program
In 1995, The CASIE Center created the Truancy Prevention Program to support children (K-5) struggling with regular school attendance.
The program has changed, grown, and evolved over the years, but has always been dedicated to supporting families that need us the most.
Program Goals
The goal of our Truancy Prevention Program, from beginning to end, is to ensure:
- The child is attending school regularly.
- The child is safe.
The program supports kindergarten through 5th grade students in St. Joseph County who have excessive unexcused absences.
Family Support Specialists work closely with their families and schools to identify the challenges affecting attendance, and to connect families with helpful community resources. The goal is to help families build positive routines and develop lasting habits that lead to better attendance and long-term success in school and life.
A school can refer a child (K-5) to The CASIE Center Truancy Prevention Program only if the following steps have been followed:
5 Unexcused Absences (Required by Indiana Law):
The school must meet with the parent/guardian when a child has 5 unexcused absences.
In the meeting, they will identify barriers to school attendance and develop a Truancy Prevention Plan to help prevent additional unexcused absences.
10 Unexcused Absences (Required by Indiana Law):
The school must send an Affidavit to the Prosecutors Office when a child has 10 unexcused absences.
The Prosecutors Office will then send a letter to the parent/guardian explaining that the child has 10 unexcused absences and that they could be charged if attendance does not improve.
15 Unexcused Absences:
Schools (K-5) may refer a child to The CASIE Center Truancy Prevention Program if they have accumulated 15 or more unexcused absences and have followed the previous steps.
Schools (K-5) may refer a child by filling out the following paperwork: link to form.
Once referred to our program, a Family Support Specialist from The CASIE Center will meet with the parent/guardian to identify barriers that are keeping the child from regularly attending school.
Family Support Specialists work closely with the family to provide support and connect them with local resources that will ensure success in the future.
Referral to Prosecutor for Charges:
If a child continues to accumulate unexcused absences after The CASIE Center gets involved, the parent/guardian may be referred to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for violation of the Indiana Compulsory School Attendance Law (I.C. 20-33-2).
Parents: we are here to help!
Please contact us if you are struggling to get your child to school every day.
We can help before things get bad.
Our services are free.
Available in English and Spanish.
Schools: we are here to help!
We can help before things get bad.
Let us know if you have any questions about referring a child to the Truancy Prevention Program.
We are available to come out to your building to provide support.
Available in English or Spanish.