Partners -
Family Division Juvenile Office
Through collaboration with the Family Division Juvenile Office, Safe Schools/Healthy Students has funded an additional Juvenile Officer who works closely with school staff and the judicial community to serve the district’s attendance efforts. The juvenile officer works with students and families directly, recruiting and providing support for those involved in Truancy Court at selected district middle schools. This individual also acts as an important liason between Springfield Public Schools and the Greene County Family Court – Juvenile Division.
Truancy Court is held one morning per week in four Springfield Middle Schools and presided over by a Greene County judge who reviews a student’s attendance, behavior and performance from the past week. Students receive positive feedback, reinforcement, and support for their accomplishments. A family member or guardian attends and families are assisted in obtaining the resources they need to support their student’s attendance. School Based Clinicians, another Safe Schools/Healthy Students program provided through Burrell Behavioral Health, conduct home visits and provide additional support for families.
Two other programs offered through the partnership with the Family Division Juvenile Office are:
- I Can Problem Solve
- The Mentor Program
I Can Problem Solve is an effective violence prevention program that teaches children to think of non-violent ways to solve everyday problems. It trains children in generating a variety of solutions to interpersonal problems and considering the consequences of these solutions. It also teaches children to recognize the thoughts, feelings, and motives that generate problem situations. I Can Problem Solve is a ten hour program for children in grades 3-5. Parents choose if their child will participate at school.
The Mentor Program is designed to help children achieve academic success and independence. Elementary school principals identify students who would benefit from having a mentor and student mentors from Southwest Missouri State University, Drury University, and Evangel University work with elementary students in areas such as anger management, social and behavioral issues, and academics. Mentors work closely with the student’s teacher and report regularly to discuss progress and strategies for meeting goals.
