Dean Takes Truancy Approach to Domestic Violence

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean announced Wednesday his office is creating a one-stop-shop for victims of family violence. A similar approach is being used to reduce truancy in Metro Schools.

According to data from the Kids Count report, the rate of child abuse in Davidson County is 2.5 times the national average and child sexual abuse is even higher. Mayor Dean says this new child abuse center will allow for earlier interventions in hopes of reducing what is often a cyclical pattern of family violence.

The Nashville Family Connections Center will include representatives from the police, the court system, and public and private agencies that deal with children.

The concept mirrors the Metro Student Attendance Center, which consolidated police, schools and court representatives in one place and reduced high school truancy by 17%.

The Nashville Family Connections Center is part of a Children and Youth Master Plan which was unveiled Wednesday. Here’s a link.

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