Grant money will help implement a new program to help cut down on truancy in Vilas county.
The Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an ordinance allowing Vilas county court to order a truant into an after-school program should funding be available.
Supervisor Mark Rogacki explains...
".....get young people who are presenting a problem in terms of attendance at school to some programs that will prove to be a little more effective. This one allows(the county) to order a child to (after school programs) if it can be proven the child will benefit from the program...
"The county has picked up a $20,000 to be used to work with youth considered to be at risk of becoming serious offenders. Vilas county would use the funds to establish a Truancy Prevention Program as an alternative to truancy court. The program is a 90 school day program and is voluntary. But youth will be asked to attend all school days, attend tutoring sessions, attend a coordinated Service Team program and attend individual and family counseling.
Vilas county has processed 32 truancy referrals, 18 who are habitual truants. In 2013 there were 47 truancy referrals, 21 were habitual offenders.
