Truancy Program Forms & Procedures

(for Local School Administrators)

Truancy Staff

Chad Loudermilk, Director of Truancy Services/Chief Truancy Officer

Brianna Mefford, Truancy Officer

Tammy Hertenstein, Administrative Assistant

Truancy Review Board Meetings (call 618.943.3522 for information)

Clay County - 2023-2024 Schedule
Flora City Hall, City Council Chambers, Flora, Illinois - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Crawford County - 2023-2024 Schedule
ROE #12 PD Training Center, 300 West Main Street, Second Floor, Robinson, Illinois - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Jasper County - 2023-2024 Schedule
Jasper County Office Building, County Board Room, 204 West Washington, Newton, Illinois - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Lawrence County - 2023-2024 Schedule
Lawrence County Courthouse, County Board Room, First Floor, Lawrenceville, Illinois - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Richland County - 2023-2024 Schedule
ROE #12 PD Training Center, 407 S. Whittle Avenue, Olney, Illinois - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Truancy Intervention Program Guidelines for Schools

Primary Objective:  To work cooperatively with schools and families to reduce and eliminate chronic truancy, therefore increasing student attendance resulting in greater student achievement. The Truancy Intervention Program focuses on the use of early intervention strategies.

Mandatory Attendance: ILCS Section 26-1 mandates that all children between the ages of 6 and 17 attend school. ILCS also mandates that all children enroll in school (regardless of age) and attend school while it is session.

Truant: ILCS Section 26-2a Defines a truant as a child subject to compulsory attendance who is absent without valid cause (unexcused absences) on a given school day or portion.

Valid Cause: Illness, observance of religious holiday, death in immediate family, family emergency, and other situations beyond control of the student as determined by the school district, or other circumstances which cause reasonable concern to the parent for the safety or health of the student.

Chronic Truant: A child subject to compulsory attendance who is absent without valid cause for 5% or more of the previous 180 school days (9 or more unexcused absences in the past 180 days)

Pre-Referral Actions

Prior to a referral to the ROE #12 Truancy Program, ISBE recommends that at least (3), and State Law requires at least (2) intervention attempts by the school to address attendance issues. These should be documented since dates and intervention types are required on referral forms. Some examples of appropriate attendance interventions are as follows (not all-inclusive):

  • Conversations/conferences with student and/or parent
  • Phone calls home to discuss attendance
  • Attendance concern letters
  • School Staffing regarding student and attendance concerns
  • Student meetings with counselor/school interventionist
  • Home Visits
  • Referral to social service agency
  • Attendance incentives/contracts