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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgreements/Contracts - JuvenileMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING COMMUNITY TRUANCY BOARDS This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by and between the following entities: Insight School of Washington and Grant County Juvenile Court & Youth Services. This contract begins June 12, 2020 and will remain in effect until legislature updates necessitate a change or is cancelled by either party through agreement. FUNCTION OF THE PARTNERSHIP The MOU is for the following purposes: 1. Establish appropriate communication and understanding between the parties. 2. Define the roles of each of the parties. 3. Facilitate the acts of all parties toward a more collaborative and uniform process for truancy cases. 4. Each party is responsible for their own negligent acts and this Memorandum of Understanding does not create rights for third parties. AUTHORITY The parties' actions regarding truancy are governed by RCW 28A.225, Second Substitute House Bill 2449 — effective date 6/9/2016, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5290 — effective 7/1/2019. AGREEMENT I. We, the undersigned, agree to collaborate with the school to continue a coordinated approach to reduce chronic absenteeism and involvement of truant students in court through the continued development and implementation of culturally appropriate practices and evidence based services that include but are not limited to Community Truancy Boards (also known as CTB or CTBs) and stay petitions. 2. No alteration of the terms of this Agreement and no oral agreements, unless made in writing between the parties hereto, shall be binding. 3. Either party may cancel this Memorandum of Understanding to the other party with 30 days' notice. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Insight School of Washington agrees to: 1) Assign a school district designee to work with the juvenile department to continue and establish a Community Truancy Board(s) to address truancy concerns. 2) File necessary documentation along with the Petition Regarding Truancy that requests a STAY of the proceedings to allow the matter to go before a CTB. 73) Prepare a letter to be sent to the family informing them of the filed Petition Regarding Truancy that requests a STAY of the proceedings and inviting them to attend a CTB on a specific date and time in the language they are fluent; copy to be provided to the juvenile department. 4) Collaborate with the juvenile department as needed to coordinate interventions for truant and chronically absent students. 5) Utilize data to determine appropriate interventions. 6) Once established, the school district agrees to jointly coordinate, participate and maintain one or multiple Community Truancy Boards comprised of Community members, School administrator and Juvenile department (as stated in SSHB 2449 Section 5). 7) The School District agrees to recruit and train all volunteers on identifying barriers to school attendance, risk/needs assessments, treatment and services available in the school and in the community. I 8) Provide the appropriate interpretive services for families during the CTB. 9) Provide the juvenile department with the original CTB Contract and retain a copy developed during the CTB if a petition or stayed petition is in place. 10) Once the CTB Contract has been developed the school designee will monitor students based on the level of concerns and attendance for each student. The designee will offer suggestions as to possible interventions related to specific students based on individual situations and behaviors. 11) Keep the juvenile department informed of the outcome of the CTB if petition is submitted, request further court intervention if deemed necessary (i.e. CTB Return of j Case to request setting a court date to address continued truancy issues). 12) Provide the Juvenile court representative with attendance and court recommendation prior to all hearings set before the court. I 13) The School District, its employees, subcontractors, and their employees (including CTB members) shall maintain the confidentiality of all Information provided by the County or acquired by the County in performance of this MOU, except upon the prior written consent of the County or as required by other applicable law or an order entered by a , court of competent jurisdiction. Grant County Juvenile Court & Youth Services agrees to: 1) Assign Staff to collaborate with the school district as needed to train the district on updates, legislative changes (SSHB 5290) and the process of filing a Petition Regarding Truancy that requests a STAY of the proceedings to allow the matter to go before a CTB; and assist whenever possible to coordinate interventions for truant students. 2) Utilize data to determine appropriate interventions. 3) At each Community Truancy Board(s) the juvenile department shall assign staff to attend and participate with CTB's as scheduling allows. The assigned staff will: (a) Participate with CTB members to offer suggestions to remove barriers and make suggestions for interventions based on the individual needs of the students; M Assist with the flow of information in Court. 4) Process each Petition Regarding Truancy that is received from the School District as per RCW 28A.225.035. This includes: (a) Preparing the necessary documents for review and signing by the School District. (b) Presenting the Petition Regarding Truancy and an Order to Stay Truancy Proceedings and Referral to the court for signature (c) If approved by the court, file the Petition Regarding Truancy, Order to Stay Truancy Proceedings and Referral and any additional paperwork with the Clerk of the Court. I (d) Return the Paperwork to the school for distribution to the student / parent. 5) File the CTB Agreement and Document Cover Sheet and any additional paperwork If i there is a petition with stay (ie. copies of letters sent to the family inviting them to the CTB, the CTB Agreement, description of interventions and timeline) provided by the CTB/school with the Clerk of the Court. 6) Process the CTB Return of Case and CTB Return of Case Declaration documents received from the school that asks the court to set a court hearing to address continued attendance issues; seek the Court's approval and signature of the Order Lifting Stay and Directing Notice of Hearing; and prepare the Notice of Hearing/Order to Appear for Hearing that will set a hearing date and time. This includes: (a) Preparing the necessary documents for review and signing by the School i District and by the Court. (b) File the documents with the Clerk of the Court. (c) Serve the paperwork on the student and parent that compels him/her to appear in court. 7) Provide appropriate interpretive services for families during court. 8) Provide schools with a copy of each court order that is developed during a court hearing. 9) File any motions to set show cause contempt; motions to strike or reset: motions to dismiss the truancy case after receiving the appropriate information from the School District. 10) Report to the School District regarding any further hearings, information or other matters relating to the truancy case. 11) Present information and recommendations provided by the school to the court. 12) The County and their employees shall maintain the confidentiality of all Information provided by the School District or acquired by the School District In performance of this MOU, except upon the prior written consent of the School District or as required by other applicable law or an order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Insight School of Washington and Grant County Juvenile Court & Youth Services recognize that working effectively together to maximize this partnership and its common goals will strengthen student graduation rates. Signat re of s ri upe intenclent oro—pee — 4�� - Signat re of Juvenile Court Administrator or Designee j� DATED this _2�day of 2020. EST: ��I k rb a J. Vasquez I r of Baa rd APPROVED AS TO FORM: JXO- pica: i Kevin McCrae, Civil Attorney WSBA #4306 7 1 2ozo Date -7/ 1 / X aO Date QF COUNTY CO MISSIONERS COUN , WA N mTr, Vice air Richard Stevens, Member