It's All Relative - COBYS Family Services

COBYS Truancy Program Expanding Beyond CityIt’s hard to teach readin’, ‘ritin’,and ‘rithmetic when the kidsdon’t show up for class. That’swhere COBYS Family Servicescomes in.COBYS teaches its ownversion of the “Three R’s” toparents and teens so schoolscan better teach theirs andsee a greater percentage ofstudents graduate.This fall, for the first time,COBYS is offering The ThreeR’s for Parents & Youth:Relationship, Responsibility, &Respect outside the city ofLancaster. Educators Susan“Scottie” Altland and HollyHardin began a Tuesdayevening course at Garden SpotHigh School in early November,with 19 parents and youthattending the first session.Scottie and Terry Baker areleading another class at PhoenixAcademy in Lancaster onThursdays. Four more courses willbe offered in Lancaster atMcCaskey East High School afterthe New Year.In cooperation with theSchool District of Lancaster,COBYS has been addressingtruancy and other behavioralissues through the courtapprovedThree R’s program formore than a decade. Last year29 parents and 22 youthattended four Three R’sprograms.“Most of the participants arereferred through district justices,”says Scottie, “others by Childrenand Youth, and some just comeon their own.”Although the program isopen to parents and teens fromthroughout Lancaster County,COBYS educator Terry Bakerexplains how communicationblocks build walls betweenparents and teens at a NovemberThree Rs class at PhoenixAcademy inLancaster.explains COBYS Family LifeEducation Supervisor KirstenFreitag Murray, many are unableto travel into the city. The GardenSpot program is a first steptoward offering the Three R’s atnew locations so more familiescan benefit. (Another program isslated for Columbia this winter.)COBYS works with the TruancyTask Force of Lancaster County,says Murray, and is the county’ssole provider of truancy courses.The Three R’s teaches parentsand youth knowledge, skills, andattitudes to build strongerparent/child relationships andSave the DatesPlease save the dates for these 2009 COBYS events:promote regular schoolattendance. The course coverstopics such as respectfulcommunication, developingresponsibility in teens, andstrengthening bonds. It also helpsfamilies understand schoolattendance policies andestablish their own plans tomonitor and address problembehaviors, including truancy,violence, and drug and alcoholuse.Even though most aremandated to attend, saysScottie, many are glad toreceive help. “They just don’tknow what else to do,” she says.“They are upset that the problemhas gotten this far.”Those who are resistant at firstusually are won over by theacceptance of the educators.“The point of the class is not tofocus on what families havebeen doing wrong,” says Scottie,“but to provide some tools tomove them in a new direction.”Funding for Three R’sprograms is provided by the PADepartment of Health throughthe Lancaster County Drug andAlcohol Commission and SafeSchools, Healthy Students. Newfunding is being sought toexpand the program.•March 12, Informational/Fundraising Banquet, Middle CreekChurch of the Brethren•April 16, Wenger Foundation Praise Dinner, Lebanon ExpoCenter•May 3, Family Fun Walk, Peter Becker Community, Harleysville•September 13, Bike & Hike, Lititz Church of the BrethrenFostering Hope 6