Juvenile Probation >Probation Community Supervision: Truancy Prevention Grants

Contact: Robert Bradbury, Probation Supervisor Phone Number: 602-506-2339 E-mail: robbra@juvenile.maricopa.gov

Through the Board of Supervisors, the Juvenile Probation Department has been able to award ‘grants’ to schools and or community organizations that make a commitment to assist in reducing the truancy problem in their community.

This funding is presently in place in the following locations:

Safe Haven, Inc. Located in the 85009 zip code, one of the designated zip code areas. Safe Havens, by way of Neighborhood partners have been past recipients of Prevention Grants, last being for $50,000 and currently requesting $50,000. Safe Haven includes four K-8 schools in its targeted area. They address the needs of the entire community and support BARJ. Demographics reported from the schools, 98% Hispanic, 82% below poverty line, 68% ELL, 100% free/reduced breakfast and lunch. Safe Haven works in partnership with all four schools, provides leadership in community action groups, neighborhood projects and develops volunteers and mentors. Pueblo Del Sol Middle School Located in the 85019 zip code area, and also services 85035 and 85009 zip codes. These are designated zip codes. Pueblo Del Sol is a past recipient of our grant program, receiving $48,037 and currently requesting $49,914. Demographics includes 86% Hispanic, 92% free/reduced lunch. Specific programs include seven components including CC!, peer mediation, community nights, team building and AIMS. Futures! and Nypum Program Will serve clients in the 85201 and 85204 zip code areas, both designated zip codes. FUTURES! had been a past recipient, receiving $25,000 last year and currently requesting $35,000. At that time they worked in partnership with Serine Adult Day Care. Clients will be from Carson Jr. High, Holmes and Webster Elementary Schools. Carson Jr. High is located in 85201; significant numbers of low income qualify as Title I School; 45% of students are Hispanic, 53.7% single parent homes. Holmes is in 85204, Webster in 85201, both are Title I schools. Holmes is 83.9% Hispanic, 88.5% free lunch program. Webster is 57% Hispanic, 84.5 free lunch. Program is designed to service clients with the in-school FUTURES! program, NYPUM mini-bike program and free enrollment in the YMCA. Santa Maria Middle School Located in 85043 zip code, but services 85035, one of the designated zip codes. Santa Maria is a past recipient, receiving $16,500 last year; currently requesting $50,000. Santa Maria is a rural farm area, with recent suburban explosion. Their plan is to expand the GO! Truancy Project that has been in place the last six years. Santa Maria has been able to show how their program has proportionately reduced truancy over the past six years. Epworth After School Program Located and servicing 85031 and 85033 zip codes, both in the designated zip code areas. A past recipient in the amounts of $46,300 during the last 3 years and $24,910 from the previous grant; currently requesting $34,300. Epworth has formed a partnership with Cartwright School District, West Side Food Bank and Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department to provide after school and summer programming for children in the area. Osborn School District Request came from Clarendon School, located in zip code 85013, but services clients from 85015, one of the designated zip codes. A past recipient in the amount of $45,651; currently requesting $49,811.11. A diverse population, 17 different languages spoken; 36% of the students from single parent homes, 75% receive free/reduced lunches. Proposal includes bilingual attendance clerk, bilingual parent liaison, RTC clerk alarm clocks with back up batteries and incentive program.