First Lady Katie O'Malley Recognizes Graduates of the University of Baltimore's Truancy Court Program
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 15, 2008) – First Lady Katie O’Malley today hosted the 2008 graduates of University of Baltimore’s Truancy Court Program. A program of the Center for Families, Children and the Courts, the Truancy Court Program offers a therapeutic approach to reversing student truancy by uncovering the root causes of truant behavior. First Lady O’Malley recognized more than 50 students from Baltimore City schools that have successfully completed the ten-week program and showed at least a 50 percent decrease in unexcused absences.
“I have served as a volunteer Truancy Court Program judge for three years and have seen firsthand how it effectively changes the lives of truant children, addresses the problems that underlie truant behavior, and sets them on a course of action that includes school attendance, academic success, graduation, and productive lives as members of their communities,” said Judge O’Malley. “It is the type of program that prevents children from entering the adult criminal justice system and one that contributes profoundly to solving our truancy crisis.”
“We are deeply grateful for Judge O’Malley’s generous leadership in our program,” said Barbara Babb, director of the University of Baltimore School of Law Center for Families, Children and the Courts. “She has literally changed the lives of many students, using a combination of her stature and authority, her warmth, and her ability to challenge and motivate students to do better.”
The University of Baltimore School of Law’s Truancy Court Program now operates in seven Baltimore City public elementary, middle, and high schools. Over 600 students have participated in the program since it began in 2005. The students voluntarily participate in weekly meetings with a volunteer judge, a team of school representatives, law students and faculty, a mentor, and the student’s parent or guardian. Overall, the results show a 75% increase in attendance during the program and preliminary data indicates that the benefits of the program continue throughout the school year.
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