COLUMBIANA COUNTY Program dealing with truants gets funds to expand

Many families will be able to take advantage of the program.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- School truancy used to mean a trip to the principal's office and at least the fear of punishment.
The Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services is expanding a program aimed at solving the underlying problem behind truancy.
The county commissioners approved a contract Wednesday for a truancy mediation program that began immediately and will run through June 30, 2006.
Eileen Dray-Bardon, the department's director, said the program will be funded with $49,000 in federal funds. The money had been given to the department's program that provides temporary assistance for needy families.
The program was offered on a trial basis in the Wellsville and Southern school districts last year.
Dray-Bardon said the child, his family, the teacher and other school officials meet, talk and try to determine the problem and what's needed to solve it.
Focus on early grades
Although pupils in all grades could be eligible for the program, Dray-Bardon said it will likely focus on children in elementary school.
The program could be used after a pupil has five unexcused absences or 10 excused absences.
The program will be available to many families. For example, a family of four with an income level of $4,830 a month will be eligible.
"We set [the income level] high," said Dray-Bardon. "We want to be able to help families."
Southern and Wellsville will again take part in the program, along with the county Career Center, Beaver schools, and a juvenile alternative school program. There is room for two more school districts to take part, Dray-Bardon said.