Health and Human Services reports hire for truancy role, launches outreach and overdose-prevention efforts

Health and Human Services reported to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council that the department has hired a truancy and diversion worker who started in June and is already coordinating with the juvenile-court team and local school leaders. Staff said the worker has begun case clean-up from the prior year, that meetings with superintendents were scheduled, and that a website and targeted campaigns on school attendance are being launched.

Staff described an early success: local navigators connected with a family and the student subsequently attended school daily. The department said ongoing funding is expected next year to continue the truancy and diversion work.

HHS also presented public-health and overdose-prevention activity. Staff reported outreach and public education: vaping billboards are in place; HHS distributed 99 Narcan kits at a community event called Muskyfest and handed out 600 information packets on fentanyl, vaping and THC; staff said they participated in the event parade. The department said Narcan boxes will be placed on local buses (transcript reference: “Namasson buses”); staff also plan observances for National Overdose Awareness Day.

Representatives encouraged placing informational posters in courthouse and public-lobby spaces and asked CJCC members to share community event dates so navigators can staff tables and distribute prevention materials. The department said staff will prioritize school-related events for outreach and will also attend other local gatherings to reach parents and caregivers.

No budget amounts or vendor names were provided during the report, and the department indicated some work is being supported by volunteers and by existing program capacity.