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Council extends truancy referral pilot, debates which agency should lead follow-up
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Summary
The Council unanimously approved an emergency extension of a pilot referring chronically absent secondary students to DHS for case management, amid discussion about whether the Child and Family Services Agency or DHS is the appropriate lead for truancy referrals.
The Council approved an emergency declaration extending the pilot that refers secondary-school students with 15 unexcused absences to the Department of Human Services for triage and case management. Chair Mendelson explained the pilot’s origins, the five participating high schools and report deadlines; the emergency prevents a lapse so DHS can deliver a final report by Aug. 15, 2025.
Councilmembers debated which agency should be tasked with truancy referrals. Several members said CFSA (Child and Family Services Agency) is designed to investigate neglect but has not been effective on followups; proponents argued DHS is better positioned to provide case management for non-neglect drivers of absenteeism such as transportation or housing barriers. Councilmember Parker, chair of the Committee on Youth Affairs, said more than 5,000 referrals have been made year‑to‑date with only about 200 followed up by CFSA, underscoring limits of the current approach.
Supporters cited promising preliminary results and urged the Council to use the budget process to put permanent solutions in place; the declaration and the underlying temporary bill were approved unanimously.
What’s next: DHS will deliver the final report and the Council plans further budget and committee work to determine the pilot’s future and whether responsibility should shift between agencies.
