Mayor Nutter Cites Stoneleigh's Support to Reduce Truancy and Improve Educational Outcomes

Stoneleigh was cited for funding two public policy fellows whose work with the City will support efforts to reduce truancy and improve educational outcomes for Philadelphia youth. 

Julie Cousler Emig is helping develop a new citywide truancy reduction plan.  This involves a rigorous process of cross-system planning and collaboration among the Department of Human Services (DHS), School District of Philadelphia (SDP), and the Family Court to reduce high truancy rates. In Philadelphia, about 74,000 students are considered chronically truant.

As a Stoneleigh fellow, Liza Rodriguez developed the concept and plan for the Education Support Center, which seeks to lower the drop-out rate and improve educational tracking, support, stability, and achievement of children in placement.  The Center is now operational with funding from the William Penn Foundation, and with Rodriguez as director.  The Center represents a strategic collaboration between the Mayor's Office of Education, DHS, SDP and the Family Court. The pilot is expected to serve 400-500 children and youth in its first 18-24 months of operation.   

Nutter thanked Stoneleigh Foundation and the William Penn Foundation for recognizing the importance of improving educational opportunities for the youth and providing the financial support for both initiatives.  "For the City of Philadelphia, the partnership with these foundations is a chance for lasting reform that will help our young people meet the challenges and demands of the new economy," Nutter said.