A male 16 year old student was not coming to school and was, consequently failing all of his classes.  Department of Family and Children Services (DFACs) was involved with the family.  CASA and Morning Star Counseling were also involved. The student had been placed in a group home situation for three years because of family issues including the mother’s continued drug use.  The father died 10 years ago from drug abuse related health issues.  The two older brothers were not allowed to have contact with the student because of their drug use.

After talking with the social worker and the CASA worker, we agreed that they would advocate for the judge the give permission for all persons involved with the student to be able to freely share information.  This was important since I had access to the student when he was at school but the social worker, counselor, and CASA worker had access to home information and also could share family history with me.  The judge agreed to give us all permission to share information freely. 

The CASA worker, social worker, and counselor began giving me family history information.  One of them would also let me know when the student and/or his mom refused a drug test or canceled a counseling session.  I would call at least weekly to let them know if the student was attending school. 

Because of guidelines and lack of cooperation on the mother’s part, DFAC’s filed Contempt of Court charges against the mother and student.  Their recommendation was to remove the student from the home and place him in a group home.  Because of the student’s age, he would be placed in a program that would concentrate on getting a GED rather than a diploma and he would be with teenagers who were part of the Juvenile Justice Department.

CASA worker, social worker, and I discussed options.  We talked with the student who seemed to finally realize that he was about to be removed from the home and sent to a group home.   He was visibly upset. We were all concerned that, although staying with his mother was not a good option, the other options were worse.  CASA and I spoke to the judge affirming that we understood that although the situation at home was not good, the other options were worse.  I asked if there was a program that would monitor the student and there would be immediate notification if the student was not at school. I also offered to change the student’s schedule to allow him to some credit.  We requested that the student and his mother continue to get individual and family counseling.

The judge checked with the appropriate agencies.  He agreed the student would be served under the Department of Juvenile Justice and would wear an ankle bracelet to monitor his activities.  The student was given very strict curfew hours and assigned a probation officer.  He was also assigned a Morning Star counselor.

For the last four weeks, the student has not missed school.  He is getting to class on time and is now passing two of his four classes.  The Morning Star counselor is meeting with him twice a week.  The student has continued to pass all drug tests although the mother has continued to fail hers.  The student has been very cooperative his new Morning Star counselor.  She and I continue to meet a few minutes before and/or after her sessions with him.  She reports that the student is willing to trust me now because he feels I advocated for his best interest with the judge. 

The key to improvement with this student was the sharing among community agencies, the school, and the court.  The judge was instrumental in the success when he allowed all agencies and the school to share information freely about the student, but advocating for that began with the school.   I think DFACs and CASA will more readily advocate for th privilege of sharing information freely with the school counselor when dealing with difficult cases.  I will let counselors know that they can advocate with the agencies to request this privilege be granted.