September 22 2011

GTLA Partners with Truancy Intervention Project

Experts agree that truancy is a first sign of trouble; a gateway to crime. The progression from school failure to serious adult crime is well documented and terribly expensive. For example, more than 88 percent of all adult prison inmates in Georgia are high school dropouts. With early intervention, lives can be saved.

Since its first case in 1992, the Truancy Intervention Project has served nearly 6,000 Georgia children. And now GTLA members will have a chance to help.

GTLA is proud to announce that our Community Outreach Committee is working with the Truancy Intervention Project (TIP) in 2011-12. TIP was started in 1991 by Judge Glenda Hatchee and then-President of the Atlanta Bar Association, Terry Walsh. The goal is to provide an early, positive intervention in a child's life when he or she skips school on a regular basis.

Here's how it works: GTLA volunteers will receive five hours of training and then advocate for child in juvenile court after a petition of truancy has been brought against him or her. In addition, volunteers will work with the child and their family to encourage and facilitate attendance at school.

Join us and your fellow GTLA members at the inaugural Truancy Intervention Project training on October 13 at the State Bar in Atlanta.

For more information, contact Community Outreach Committee Chair Erik Olson at 404-897-1014 or erikolson@theolsonlawfirm.com.

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
101 Marietta Street, NW
Suite 3350, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone (404) 522-8487 | Fax (404) 522-3705