Nebraska Family Forum

Memorandum of Understanding: Greater Omaha Attendance and Learning Services (GOALS) Interlocal Agreement, Superintendent’s Plan to Improve Student Attendance in Douglas and Sarpy Counties.

The purpose of MOU is to achieve the various aims and objectives relating to the Superintendent's Plan to Improve Attendance in Douglas and Sarpy County, and to the Greater Omaha Attendance and Learning Services Initiative (GOALS). This document is intended to state a set of shared principles for development and furtherance of development of program specific intergovernmental agreements among the parties.

The parties agree to work together in the true spirit of partnership to ensure that there is a united visible and responsive leadership of the GOALS initiative and to demonstrate financial, administrative, and managerial commitment by means of "in kind" services and collaboration in seeking alternative funding.

This MOU sets forth a framework to enable local and state government departments and school districts within Douglas/Sarpy County to create a viable system of truancy reduction and to meet the needs of children and families.

This MOU builds on the interdependent relationships of all those child and family service systems seeking to achieve individual and community based outcomes.

This MOU will create and sustain strategic relationships to maximize the potentially increase existing resources to be used at the local level.

This MOU will create and sustain strategic relationships to maximize and potentially increase existing resources to be used at the local level.

This MOU establishes a focused point of accountability for the success of cross-system work, known as the GOALS initiative.

By signing the MOU, NDHHS, DCA, Douglas/Sarpy County, State Probation, OPD, Sheriff, other law enforcement agencies and Separate Juvenile Court within Douglas County recognize the shared efforts, in support of the Superintendents of Schools in Douglas/Sarpy County, to create and maintain a highly functioning system of truancy reduction and service provision for children and families, and the parties agree to the following Mission, Guiding Principles and Vision:

Mission:

It is the Mission of the Parties to collaborate with the Superintendents of Douglas/Sarpy County and support their Plan to Improve Student Attendance.

Guiding Principles:

We believe that education is important for the success of our children and community.

We believe that attendance at school is the single most important element to the student's ability to learn and be successful in school and life.

We believe that parents/adult caregivers have the greatest influence on children for attendance and academic success.

We believe and acknowledge that within our community, parents/adult caregivers are occasionally challenged in meeting the needs of their children.

We believe that unmet needs of children and families can contribute to non-attendance to school.

We believe and recognize that there is a strong correlation between early truancy, continued academic and behavioral problems, eventual school dropout and delinquent behavior development.

We believe it is the responsibility of the community to support the children, parents/adult caregivers, and schools on attendance issues.

We believe that the GOALS initiative is a community resource that supports children.

Agreements:

WHEREAS the above listed agencies desire to enter into an agreement in which these parties will work together to participate in the GOALS initiative;

AND WHEREAS the establishment of a multidisciplinary collaborative is the most effective means to accomplish this purpose;

AND WHEREAS the parties are desirous to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between them, setting out the working arrangements that each of the partners agree are necessary to further the GOALS initiative;

We recognize that the GOALS Initiative is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth at-risk for non-attendance, academic failure and school dropout. In furtherance of this initiative we additionally agree:

· Communication

· Accountability

· Resources

· Problem Solving

To participate in a multidisciplinary GOALS Initiative Leadership Team as established by the Superintendents of Douglas/Sarpy County by providing no less than 1 member, with administrative/decision making authority to represent each agency in this MOU.

To provide personnel to participate in regular multidisciplinary teams to assist in screening, assessment, and monitoring of youth whose attendance has become problematic and/or has reached the threshold for referral for prosecution.

To provide "in kind" personnel, where needed, and as available, to conduct case management services to children and families. In addition, such personnel will provide service referrals and service provision for families and youth.

To provide communication between and among all agencies involved with GOALS initiative youth.

To provide evidence based services only.

To collect data from a variety of sources to best assist the individualized needs of families.

To communicate with schools regularly to determine where school based services may need support and/or change.

To regularly monitor data to assure quality programming and that needs of youth are being met. Data collection and study will also address service deficits among the collaborative agencies in order to improve performance.

To provide individualized service plans for children and families.

To co-locate MOU participation personnel, so as to best achieve the success of the GOALS initiative to maximize the service provision to families and support this MOU and the Superintendents Plan to Improve Attendance.