IN THE PROFESSION the underlying life problem causing the student ' s absenteeism is resolved . This is where TIP volunteers come in . Partnering with TIP staff , school social workers , and the Court , TIP volunteers work to identify and address the issues leading to the student ' s absenteeism . In some cases , the cause is related to the family ' s situation : housing instability , parental distrust of the school , unreliable transportation , or substance abuse . In other cases , usually with middle and high school .
A Statewide Approach
As the attendance crisis is worsening , the 2014 revised Juvenile Code allows each county to develop and manage its own CHINS program . Unfortunately , there is no statewide organization collecting and disseminating information about CHINS implementation in each of Georgia ’ s counties , or providing information on best practices , evidence-based interventions , or available resources . TIP routinely receives calls and inquiries from parents , guardians , schools , and non-profit partners requesting assistance with truancy or absenteeism issues outside of Fulton County . Given the varying CHINS programs and lack of a central repository of CHINS-truancy information , in the past , TIP was unable to provide a high level of assistance in these instances .
Thankfully , the addition of a TIP Senior Staff Attorney in August of 2022 , has allowed TIP to begin compiling information on CHINS- Truancy implementation throughout the state and sharing best practices , program models , and community-based resources and solutions with countries other than Fulton jurisdictions . In this rebuilding year , TIP has received inquiries from most of the counties in the Atlanta Bar Association ’ s footprint , and from as far as Augusta , Georgia . Unfortunately , the attendance crisis is bearing out throughout Georgia , impacting rural , suburban , and urban communities . As these communities continue to seek solutions for chronic absence and truancy , TIP is now able to provide expertise and technical assistance outside of Fulton County to help address these issues .
With appropriate and timely intervention , and with our dedicated staff and committed volunteers , TIP has the ability to reengage the tenth-grader with the things he liked about school and help him develop healthy boundaries around his video game use . The problem-solving approach of an attorney volunteer , working in partnership with TIP staff , can help the fifth-grader develop coping strategies for her fear of getting sick . An empathetic approach and assistance getting counseling can help the seventhgrader ’ s father reengage with the family and develop the student ’ s independence in getting ready for school himself . In these ways , TIP volunteers have the ability to help mitigate some of the worst effects of the pandemic on school-age children and their families face .
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