New Garden Grove Program Focuses on Truancy Prevention

GARDEN GROVE —  School and police officials will soon begin a program aimed at preventing students from ditching classes, district officials have announced.

The three-year program is designed to offer counseling, crisis intervention and tutoring for at-risk students, said Alan Trudell, a spokesman for the Garden Grove Unified School District.

Garden Grove police Capt. David Abrecht said the program is crucial not only to keep youngsters in school but also to curb youth violence.

“Truancy is the most significant indicator of kids who go on to commit a crime of violence. We decided to take a step back and address the issues that lead to violence,” he said.

The “Truancy Drop-In Center” will be staffed by counselors from Orange County Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit agency and partner in the program. The program is funded by a $50,000 state grant, officials said.

The center, based at Louis Lake High School, will open Monday. It is expected to reach about 200 youngsters each year, officials said.

Under the program, police will pick up children they suspect are truant and transport them to the center, officials said.

“Counselors will then start to look into their attendance and education background,” Abrecht said. “They will call parents and start to work on a plan to get this kid back in school.”