Monthly Archives: May 2018
23/05/18 Kudos to those in the trenches fighting the battle
There’s a long held belief that showing up is half the battle to achieving success. That belief holds true when it comes to school. A recognition event was held Friday for Truancy Diversion Program volunteers who are in the trenches at schools getting kids to show up. Judge William Voy oversees the program offered by the Eighth Judicial District Court to reduce absenteeism in Clark County schools in an effort to reduce the number of youth entering the formal juvenile justice system. He thanked the volunteers that visit 40 schools as truancy judges. Judge Voy said, “It’s unfortunate that this room not twice as full.” In 2017, the room was twice as full of volunteers visiting 80 schools, thanks to federal grant funding that has since run out. Schools are now required to pay for the cost of the program out of their budgets. The cost is around $4,000 per school. It is money well spent, according to Judge William Voy, who presides over juvenile cases. Judge Voy said, “The need is there. This program works. Sending them to the juvenile justice system doesn’t work.”
Judge William Voy thanks Truancy Diversion Program volunteers
A report released in Dec. 2017 showed improvement in Clark County graduation rates. According to the Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the key programs to combat habitual absenteeism is the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP). The program not only works with students, parents are also brought in to address the student’s school attendance, behavior and grades.
“It does work. We appreciate the volunteer judges, said Dr. Tammy Malich, CCSD Assistant Superintendent. “These kids are our future, they’re our community. These are our kids.”
Dr. Tammy Malich on Truancy Diversion Program
Truancy is considered a crime, but many students who miss school frequently aren’t just goofing off. They miss classes due to life circumstances. Others don’t realize the long-term impact of cutting school. “It all starts with truancy,” said Judge Voy. “Keep kids in school, keep them engaged and we can make a difference.”
Christopher Guy volunteer for Truancy Diversion Program/Keeping Kids In School
A volunteer judge, accompanied by a social worker (family advocate) and an educational liaison, meet with students identified by the school as truant and their parents. During weekly court sessions at the school, the student’s attendance record and behavioral issues are addressed. The TDP judge and staff help students focus on the importance of school success. They set and review goals for attendance, homework completion and appropriate classroom behavior. The program achieves success through this process and positive reinforcement. If needed, family resource centers, shelters, youth services, and/or social service information/referrals are also provided.
The benefits for students are improved school attendance and class participation resulting in better grades needed for graduation. The students are offered support, tutoring/counseling and coached to make and keep goals. Incentives from the program get students excited to achieve and connect with the school community. Families can get counseling referrals for community programs and support services. Parents are offered strategies to facilitate their child’s success. The program is intended to build on and strengthen family support. Schools benefit from the program through more engaged and positive students, improved attendance, improved parental links/communication and better student grades.
Licensed attorneys, mental health professionals or law enforcement officers who are interested in volunteering as a TDP judge should call 702-455-1755.
Sincere thanks go to these volunteers for their commitment to help Keep Kids in School and stay on the path to success. IianAcherman, Detective Bernard Plaskett, Randa Shea, Quintin Davis, Shauna Watson, Amelia Hughes, Christopher Guy, Robin Gonzales, Cory Juelke, Luchana Turner, Joyce Gallina, Douglas Clark, Radha Chanderraj, Mary Perry,Rick Morales, North Las Vegas Justice Court Chief Judge KalaniHoo, Kim Webb, Paul Haire, Jennifer Somma, Kevin Speed, Carlos Morales, Brigid Duffy, Scott Vaughn, Lisa Szyc, Paul Turner, Juliana Berry, Darlene Stein, Lana Croft, Matthew Fox
Christopher Guy volunteer for Truancy Diversion Program/Keeping Kids In School
Tags: Amelia Hughes, Avaunte DuPree, Brigid Duffy, Carlos Morales, Christopher Guy, Clark County Schools, Cory Juelke, Darlene Stein, Detective Bernard Plaskett, Douglas Clark, Dr. Tammy Malich, Iian Acherman, Jennifer Somma, Joyce Gallina, Judge William Voy, Juliana Berry, Keep Kids In School, Kevin Speed, Kim Webb, Lana Croft, Lisa Szyc, Luchana Turner, Margaret Pickard, Mary Perry, Matthew Fox, North Las Vegas Justice Court Chief Judge KalaniHoo, Paul Haire, Paul Turner, Quintin Davis, Radha Chanderraj, Randa Shea, Rick Morales, Robin Gonzales, Scott Vaughn, Shauna Watson, truancy diversion
18/05/18 Gratitude drives pro bono volunteer
Attorney James Claflin Jr.was selected to be the family law Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada pro bono May volunteer of the month. Judge Frank Sullivan and Judge Bryce Duckworth presented the award. Award clip: https://youtu.be/r8caUR0G-5w
A sense of gratitude is what drives James to do pro bono work. Attorney James Claflin Jr.clip: https://youtu.be/Uyn8NVBWznY
The award was given at the Family Law Bench-Bar meeting. The meetings are held once a month to ensure attorneys have access to all the information they need to practice in the Family Division. Topics covered include recent Nevada Supreme Court rulings, new technology, court news and hot topics.
Tags: Attorney James Claflin Jr, Clark County Courts, Judge Bryce Duckworth, Judge Frank Sullivan, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Pro Bono
17/05/18 As school year winds down those who motivate students to graduate to be recognized
Chronic absence correlated to high dropout rates has long been an issue in Nevada’s public schools. A recent report shows recent improvement in Clark County graduation rates. According to the Clark County School District (CCSD), one of the key programs to combat habitual absenteeism is the Truancy Diversion Program (TDP). As the school year winds down, it is a perfect time to recognize Truancy Diversion Program volunteers who commit to a school-year of weekly truancy diversion court sessions to keep kids in school and on track to graduate. The volunteer judges/mentors will be recognized on Friday, May 18 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Social Club Ballroom at Main Street Station 200 N. Main Street. The volunteers will be given an award and the opportunity to share their experiences of helping students attain an education. The TDP volunteers see first-hand how keeping a student in school can be the difference between failure and graduation; and between a path of crime and a path of success.
District Court Judge William Voy currently oversee the TDP that was established by Judge Gerald Hardcastle in 2002, and overseen by Judge Jennifer Elliott in collaboration with the Clark County School District (CCSD) for 10 years. “As a judge who hears juvenile cases, I see firsthand the importance of education and graduation. The Truancy Diversion program has proven to be an effective part of the strategy to keep students in school and on track to graduate. The volunteers are key to this much-needed program, and their work has done much to improve the path of many students,” said Judge Voy. “The Truancy Diversion Program not only benefits those students who are struggling to complete their education, but it benefits our community as a whole.”
In the 2016/2017 school-year, the TDP was in more than 80 CCSD elementary, middle schools and high schools. In the 2017/2018 school year, the TDP program plummeted to 40 participating schools, due to the ending of grant for the program from the Office of Juvenile Justice Department of Prevention Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court (OJJDP). Since the grant expired, funding has been an issue, since each school must use school funds to pay for the program.
Those without a high school diploma face higher prospects of unemployment and the associated negative consequences. This collaborative effort between the CCSD has been structured to prevent and reduce youth crime, re-engage students in learning, and ultimately, reduce potential costs to our welfare and justice systems. It is a non-punitive, incentive-based approach to at-risk school students with truancy problems. “Kids who successfully complete school have a much better chance at success in life than those who drop out,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Bryce Duckworth. “Truancy is often the first step off the path to success. The Truancy Diversion Program addresses the issue and keeps students in school and on track to graduate.”
Judges, attorneys, mental health professionals and law enforcement officers volunteer approximately three hours each week to hold truancy court sessions at schools. They promote and support academic achievement using a team effort and an individual student success plan with students and their parents. They review the students’ attendance, school work, and progress to ensure that students have the resources they need to be successful. The goal of the Eighth Judicial District Court Family Division is to continue to expand until all Clark County schools have a TDP program.
Licensed attorneys, mental health professionals or law enforcement officers who are interested in volunteering as a TDP judge for this Specialty Court program should call 702-455-1755. The Family Court youth programs are a great example of how the Eighth Judicial District Court is using alternative, efficient methods to address crime and ensure justice. District Court continuously works to develop innovative ideas, improve efficiency, address issues and improve access to justice
Tags: Courts, Education, Judge Bryce Duckworth, Judge Jennifer Elliott, Judge William Voy, Las Vegas, Las Vegas courts, Truancy, Truancy Las Vegas, truancy prevention
04/05/18 May 8 Civil-Bench Bar to offer free attorney CLE on Motions in Limine
Motions in Limine can be a game-changer in a case. That’s why it’s a good idea to attend the May 8, noon Civil Bench-Bar meeting in courtroom 10D, with free (continuing legal education) CLE on Motions in Limine. The session will offer useful tips on making the most of Motions in Limine and other information to up your game and help meet CLE requirements. The panel will include Judge Elissa Cadish, Judge Jim Crockett and Judge Gloria Sturman. moderators will be Dan Polsenberg, Esq. and Josh Cole Aicklen, Esq. A summary of the recent Nevada Supreme Court rulings will also be done by the Richard Harris Law Firm. Civil Bench-Bar meetings are a great forum to get questions or concerns addressed and to network.
Tags: Clark County CLE, Dan Polsenberg, Free CLE Las Vegas, Josh Cole Aicklen, Judge Elissa Cadish, Judge Gloria Sturman, Judge Jim Crockett
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