Department phone number: 304-348-1343
Office of Attendance and Social Services
The Office of Attendance and Social Services is staffed by the Lead Attendance and Social Services Director and secretary; along with 24.5 full-time Assistant Attendance Directors (ADDs), three Homeless Facilitators, and a Truancy Diversion Worker. The Homeless Facilitators play a vital role of delivering services to identified homeless students. Resources are available in an effort to continue schooling without delays for students identified as homeless. The Truancy Diversion Worker (TDW) will work closely with our staff with monitoring truancy programs in our schools, staff training, and serve as our linkage to the court system and other agencies in Kanawha County. Our office is the link between the school, home, and the community. Pursuant to West Virginia Code 18-8-1, attendance of students is the primary focus of the Assistant Attendance Directors. Attendance problems can be an indicator of other problems a student may be experiencing, such as psychological, emotional, social, or socioeconomic issues. The Assistant Attendance Director assist with developing and providing those interventions necessary for the families and students to optimize the student’s potential to learn in their educational programs.
It is imperative that students arrive at school on time. Arrival time should allow for school breakfast (if breakfast is eaten at school), going to locker and being prepared to begin the school day. Tardiness is a school distraction and can easily become a serious problem. Academic failure can be associated with students coming to school tardy. Learning begins immediately and it is important for students to be well prepared for the school day. Signing your child out early is discouraged. Early sign out is a disruption to the total learning environment of all students. In order to promote a positive learning environment, we request parents send their child/children to school every day and schedule all appointments after school hours if possible. Some of the services provided from our office are:
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Student attendance data
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Dropout prevention
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Homeless intervention
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Clothing and shoes
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Community resources
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Homeschooling assistance
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Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect
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Crisis intervention
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Advocate for students, parents, and school system
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Documentation for restriction of driver’s license
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Universal Pre-K services
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Truancy Diversion
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Healthy Grandfamilies program
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Hope Scholarship Assistance