Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28Washington County Attorney’s Office—2016 Annual Report 16 Truancy The Truancy Initiative saw continued success in effectively reaching out to students and families and improving school attendance for the 2015-2016 school year. The powerful combination of Attendance Intervention Meetings (AIM) and Diversion contract meetings resulted in an incredible 34% decrease in Truancy petitions filed in 2016, with only 29 students and their families ever seeing a courtroom for additional school attendance intervention. The initiative also saw the end of an era at the close of the 2015-2016 school year with the retirement of Assistant County Attorney Sue Harris. Over the past 3 years, Ms. Harris forged solid bonds with school and county partners and made an incredible impact on the lives of Washington County’s students and their families through her efforts to curb truancy. In August 2016, the office hired Betsey Urbas to continue the program’s achievements and help advance the county’s vision for student success. Ms. Urbas, Tony Zdroik – Juvenile Division Chief and Theresa Leverty – Paralegal Assistant for the Juvenile Division, worked tirelessly in the months of August and September to meet with school administrators all over Washington County to discuss plans for the new school year and beyond and to form strong relationships moving forward. Ms. Urbas continues to facilitate AIM and diversion meetings in the schools and is building upon those protocols to maintain a solid impact and relevant message. She also strived to introduce an exciting new opportunity to Washington County’s schools: mentorship through music. Ms. Urbas collaborated with Minneapolis entertainment (and volunteer Tubman) attorney Dennis Pelowksi, the truancy social workers with Washington County Community Services, and Mr. Pelowski’s connections in the Twin Cities music community to develop an inspiring and constructive program that will hopefully grow and expand to reach all schools in Washington County. The pilot is set to roll out at St. Croix Valley Alternative Learning Center in Stillwater on February 24, 2017 as part of the school’s graduation festivities. 2016 Pledge to Graduate Winners Student at Oak-Land Junior High School awarded iPad donated by Sam’s Club Student at St. Croix Preparatory Academy awarded class ring donated by Jostens Betsey Urbas