TRUANCY ASSESSMENT and SERVICE CENTER (TASC)

WHAT IS TASC?
Truancy Assessment and Service Center (TASC). The Louisiana Legislature began 2 pilot TASC programs in 1999.

PURPOSE:
TASC provides early identification and assessment of truants and the prompt delivery of coordinated interventions to prevent continued unauthorized school absences.

SHORT-TERM GOAL:

  • Improvement in academic achievement

  • Improvement in school attendance

  • Improvement in school behavior & conduct

LONG-TERM GOAL:

  • Decrease in school dropout rate

  • Decrease in juvenile delinquency

  • Decrease in substance abuse

  • Decrease in teen pregnancy

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW:
The School Attendance Law (R.S. 17:221) requires that children ages 7 to 18 attend school with a minimal amount of unexcused absences. This law is in place to protect the rights of children to have the best advantage of educational opportunities available. The responsibility for attendance is that of the parent and/or guardian.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TRUANCY:
Research shows a strong correlation between early truancy with continued school academic and behavioral problems, eventual school dropout, and delinquent behavior development.  Teen pregnancy and adolescent substance abuse are also more likely to occur when children are unsuccessful in school. A truancy center is a tool that can be utilized to interrupt this cycle and reduce the negative effects of the truant behavior pattern. 

WHY TASC IS EFFECTIVE?

  • Early Identification

  • Rapid assessment

  • Attention to family environmental factors

  • Targeted service response

  • Consistent and timely monitoring

  • Proper use of FINS process

  • Collaboration between school, family, law enforcement, court, and other community partners.

WHERE IS TASC TODAY?
11 sites serving 18 parishes
Currently serves more than 300 Louisiana public schools
Has received referrals for more than 200,000 at-risk students


livingston PARISH JUVENILE COURT ANNEX

Physical Address: 29770 South Magnolia St., Livingston, LA 70754

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 788, Amite, LA 70422

Office: (225) 686-1060

Fax: (225) 686-0307

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch) and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

TANGIPAHOA PARISH JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER

Physical Address: 801 South 1st Street, Amite, LA 70422

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 788, Amite, LA 70422

Office: (985) 747-8835

Fax: (985) 747-8836

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch) and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM


TASC STAFF

Henrietta Palmisano

Juvenile Services Program Director

Livingston Office: (225) 686-1060

Tangipahoa Office: (985) 747-8835

Email: hpalmisano@21stjdc.org

LIVINGSTON STAFF

Jaycee Trevino, Receptionist

Office: (225) 686-1060

Email: jtrevino@21stjdc.org

Jolynn Hodges, FINS/TASC Case Monitor

Office: (225) 686-1060

Email: jhodges@21stjdc.org

Kelsey Hurst, FINS/TASC Case Monitor

Office: (225) 686-1060

Email: khurst@21stjdc.org

TANGIPAHOA sTAFF

Alivia Hoyt, Receptionist

Office: (985) 747-8835

Email: ahoyt@21stjdc.org

Molly O’Krepki, FINS/TASC Case Monitor

Office: (985) 747-8835

Email: mokrepki@21stjdc.org

Cassandra Bradford, FINS/TASC Case Monitor

Office: (985) 747-8835

Email: cbradford@21stjdc.org


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