Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood’s Helping Families Initiative (HFI) appears to be helping families, according to new numbers from Mobile County Schools.
During the 2023-2024 school year, chronic absentees decreased by 45%, and truant students decreased by 37%.
“DA Blackwood believes that chronic absences from school lead to a propensity for increased crime and victimization among juveniles, negatively impacting our entire community,” Blackwood’s office stated in a press release. “HFI seeks to eliminate existing truancy problems in Mobile County, reduce crime and ensure a better education and future for our children.”
Other school systems in the county, including Chickasaw, Satsuma and Saraland, also saw decreases.
Truancy petitions filed at Strickland Youth Center were typically around 600 to 900. Last year, they were around 150.
“This is a big deal,” Blackwood said. “These students are our future leaders, and they deserve our support. We must all come together as a community to do whatever we can to give them the best possible future.”
Blackwood started the HFI last September with full support from local superintendents. The youth crime prevention program brings the DA’s office together with the school system and community partners to intervene early by reaching students and families before they are taken to the juvenile system.
The DA’s office works with families to determine why there are absences and what can be done to address the problem.
“Together, we get these students back in school,” said Blackwood.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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