Educational Neglect Diversion Services

Educational neglect diversion services are designed to address attendance issues prior to a child protection assessment or investigation in order to give the family an opportunity to make necessary changes to correct the problem.

Schools are required to notify Washington County Community Services if a child under the age of 12 has been absent without legal excuse for 3-5 days. At this point, a County School Attendance Social Worker will arrange a meeting with the parent(s) and the school, with the goal of establishing a contract in which the parent(s) agree to address issues impacting their child's school attendance and to ensure their child's regular attendance for the remainder of the school year.

If students continue to be absent from school without a legally justifiable excuse, a report may be made to Child Protection for further assessment of the situation.