Teen Truancy Court

The Teen Truancy Court is a year-round program for youth ages 10-15.  Middle and early high school habitually truant youth are referred by the Truancy Court Judge. The intervention system for truancy is a collaboration of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the Pinellas County Schools and Family Resources. The goals of program services are increased school attendance and no new involvement with the juvenile justice system for 3 months following appearance in Truancy Court.  Referred students go to a truancy petition hearing. Family Resources staff attend the court hearings and begin to work with the families offering case management services at that time. The Family Resources case managers follow up with the family on the recommendations received at court. These recommendations are most often to attend school; obey parent curfew and rules; receive family counseling or drug assessment; and address any other barriers in the youth's school attendance. Case Managers assist in linking the family to needed services and conduct home visits as needed.  The case manager makes frequent appearances at the school to check attendance and meets with the student to discuss needs and progress. The youth and family continue in services until the child has made significant progress in school attendance or gets referred on to more intensive services if needed. County-wide truancy services are based in Family Resources north county office. 

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Contract Manger: Pam Needham
Email Pam: pneedham@jwbpinellas.org