Johnson County Educational Support Services
What are Educational Support Services?
Education Support Services are provided for children from kindergarten through sixth grade with excessive absences that have negatively impacted their academic performance. This program is designed to be a Diversion program to assist families and hold them accountable for the child's attendance. We use a strength-based process that involves many community partners, including school districts, Children's Division, School Resources Officers, and community health/mental health providers.
How does a family get referred to Educational Support Services?
Referrals for Educational Support Services come from many different sources, including the school district, School Resource Officers, and Children's Division. After a student is identified, a written report or referral is sent to the Johnson County Juvenile Office where it is reviewed by an attorney for legal sufficiency.
Note: Attendance policies can vary depending on the school district in which your child may attend. Please contact your school for specifics on the attendance policy.
What to expect?
Once a referral has been received and reviewed, the parent(s) or guardian(s) will receive communication from a Deputy Juvenile Officer. There will be a meeting to discuss the challenges and barriers that may be preventing school attendance. A plan will be developed based on that meeting to help the family with the challenges identified. It is expected that the parent(s) or guardian(s) remain accountable and engaged in services. If a family is unwilling to participate in services, a petition may be filed with the Johnson County Circuit Court for formal proceedings.