Douglas County staff propose in‑house K–8 truancy program, ‘Everyday Counts’

Douglas County staff on Jan. 28 presented a proposal to move elementary and middle‑school truancy services from an external contractor into an in‑house criminal justice services program called Everyday Counts.

Katie Fitzgerald, the county’s criminal justice coordinator, told commissioners the proposal grows out of last year’s budget decisions: “You all set aside the $150,000 that previously had been allocated to CSC,” and staff later recommended part of that money continue to CSC through December while retaining $87,500 for the remainder of 2026 as the county develops an alternative model. Assistant Director Lee Hausman and juvenile services staff described a three‑tier model intended to provide earlier, more direct case management for children who meet statutory truancy thresholds.

Under the plan, schools would continue to follow Kansas compulsory attendance rules (the so‑called 3‑5‑7 rule). As one presenter summarized, “In Kansas, a child is considered truant if they have at least 1 unexcused absence on 3 consecutive days, 5…