ABOUT The George Junior Republic Preventative Aftercare (PAC) Truancy Diversion Program provides services to students and families in their home, school, and community to eliminate truancy. The program is tailored to meet the needs of each student’s social, emotional, behavioral and educational well-being. Intensive, in-home supports are implemented through regular contact with the student, families, schools, and other systems involved in the client's life to collaboratively identify treatment and behavioral needs and create sustainable plans. In addition, these supports are designed to be mobile, bringing services to the family, thereby eliminating transportation barriers.
#5000 5-2026
CONTACT US 724.458.9330 pacreferrals@gjr.org ATTN: GJR PAC 233 George Junior Rd. Grove City, PA 16127 gjr.org/gjr-pac/
TRUANCY DIVERSION
PROGRAM GOALS • • • • • • •
Improve student attendance Enhance family structure and functioning Increase problem-solving ability Connect families with resources Increase and improve interaction between family and school Prevent formal involvement with child welfare Prevent out-of-home placement
REFERRALS & INTAKE Contracted schools, in conjunction with the Office of Children and Youth, make referrals directly to the program. The GJR PAC Truancy Diversion program accepts school aged youth who are experiencing attendance challenges, as identified by their home school. The average length of service is 3 to 9 months (based on county contract).
SERVICES Youth specific services: Weekly individual counseling is provided to each student based on a comprehensive needs assessment and individualized treatment plan. Sessions focus on supportive counseling that addresses factors contributing to truancy, including behavioral challenges, emotional and mental health needs, motivation and engagement with school, and academic and vocational goals. Family specific services: Weekly family counseling is provided in the home or community to address family dynamics impacting school attendance, strengthen problem-solving skills, enhancing parenting using positive discipline and coping skills, identify needed resources, and improve family functioning. School specific services: A core component of the program is eliminating truancy and improving school engagement through frequent communication with school personnel; increasing effective interactions between family and school personnel; participating in school meetings (attendance hearings, team conferences, etc); and individualizing strategies to improve school success. Other systems collaboration: PAC staff maintain ongoing communication with all systems involved with the student and their family and assist in facilitating collaborative relationships.
TREATMENT This program provides mobile, familyfocused counseling in the home, school, and community to help students improve attendance, academic progress, and overall school success. PAC staff partner with families and schools to identify strengths, address barriers, connect families with resources, and reduce the need for further Children and Youth Services involvement. Services are tailored to each student and family using evidence-based approaches, including Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Motivational Interviewing, and principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.