The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida (HCPS) entered into an interagency agreement with 16 other government agencies in 1993 and reauthorized the agreement in 1998. The agreement facilitated the processing of juveniles taken into custody by law enforcement for delinquency and truancy. Each agency agreed to provide services that meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of the youth of our community. The participating agencies seek to provide preventative services that divert youth from the traditional juvenile justice system. HCPS provides a school social worker and other staff as deemed necessary to coordinate screenings and services needed to address truancy and school and community functioning. The social worker communicates with parents and schools to provide information and follow-up relevant to the needs of the student. By renewing this agreement HCPS continues to adhere to Florida Statute 985.138(2).

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates

HCPS provides one full-time school social worker housed at the Juvenile Assessment Center at the cost of $42,130.

The Juvenile Assessment Advisory Board meets monthly to review data relevant to the number of students served and types of services provided.