Schools and juvenile court join to combat truancy and dropouts

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County Juvenile Court, Austintown, Boardman, Struthers, Youngstown city and Mahoning County High School districts are collaborating to develop an early warning system to keep students in school and out of court.

The collaboration is being developed through a $600,000 federal grant the court received last year.

Each school district has formed an early warning team that will include teachers, counselors, principals and others. Those teams meet weekly to review data and identify students who may be at risk.

The types of data to be reviewed include suspensions, absences and grades.

With the court, the schools will provide services to students and families to combat truancy and prevent dropouts. There is no charge to the school districts. The grant is covering expenses.