County approves attendance-intervention agreement to place caseworkers in schools

The body authorized an agreement with Ravenna Cuyman South Park School District to implement an attendance-intervention and mentoring program intended to reduce truancy. Clerk introduced the item and Acting Commissioner Ward explained the program model.

"So this is similar to what we proposed last month in, Cohoes School District," Ward said, saying the approach places county caseworkers in schools early to build relationships and divert students from chronic truancy. Ward described a prevention program called 'attendance intervention and mentoring' designed so staff "become a familiar face" and can "assign the kids to any prevention services that might be necessary." When asked whether the program includes home visits, Ward said the intervention will be school-based but staff would conduct home visits if hotline referrals or prevention referrals warrant them. A committee member moved the item and the board voted in favor; the transcript records 'Aye' and 'Motion passed' but no roll-call tally.