By Barry H. Hendrix
District Attorney Stephen Winters, who serves the First Judicial Circuit covering Clarke, Choctaw, and Washington counties, spoke Aug. 3 at the annual “Institute Day” program for employees of the Thomasville City Schools District.
The program was held at the Thomasville Civic Center.
“I’m here to welcome you to my team,” he said. “You actually have a role in our Criminal Justice system now.
“We have a Helping Families Initiative through my office. …As teachers, all you have to do is take attendance – that’s it. That’s the only tool we need to get our job done with helping families. You say attendance – how is that going to help? It is going to reduce the number of people that I deal with in court.
“…Studies have shown that if a child completes high school, the chances of them ending up in the criminal justice system drops dramatically,” Winters said. “…Under the Code of Alabama, we have the Truancy laws. It is the only statute in the code that demands the District Attorney to vigorously enforce.”
Through the Helping Families Initiative, the Truancy statute is used “when we know a student is not coming to school. Typically, there is a reason. We use (that statute) to get our foot in the door and try to figure out what is going on. It could be something as simple as the parents aren’t making the kid turn off the X-Box, and he’s sleeping late.
“Maybe it is something going on at school,” the DA said. “Maybe some fellow students are picking on him. But maybe it is something more severe. Maybe it’s substance abuse. Maybe there is some domestic violence going on.
“Our goal is to get our foot in the door and figure out why the children are not coming to school – and get them on the right track or get them to the right resources. …The Helping Families Initiative was started several years ago by (former) DA of Mobile County John Tyson. …This was a passion of his.
“…I’ve got to brag on Thomasville,” Winters said. “(The Thomasville school system has become an example that they are going to start using across the state. …Over the last two years, the truancy in Thomasville has dropped by 63 percent.” Data indicates that each student costs the State of Alabama $88-per-day, he said. “With the days we have gotten back in the classroom…(approximately) $470,708.00 has been recovered. I am going to commend you.
“We have an Early Warning Truancy Council, where we actually require the parents and students to come to (Thomasville) City Hall…and ask them what is going on. What can we do to help?
In addition to recording absences, teachers “are the eyes and ears of these children. When you see something going on, don’t ignore it. I know you get busy. We have our own families. But if you realize something is going on, let somebody know. …These children – they need a shot. A lot of them come from circumstances that are out of their control.
“I appreciate what you do, the DA said. “If anyone in my office can be of help, please call. If there is something going on and you don’t feel comfortable, call April (Rocker in the DA’s office). She is the one who is going to get in there and get them the resources they need.”