Sonoma County to receive $2.1M grant to keep kids in school

The Sonoma County Probation Department will receive $2.1 million over three years to help keep children in school, county officials said.

The money will come from a Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant, which will provide $715,000 annually to fund the Keeping Kids in School project.

The project aims to address attendance problems and prevent children from being involved in the criminal justice system later in life through case management.

The participation of students and families in the project is voluntary, county officials said.

Board of Supervisors chair Susan Gorin said in a statement:

“Working together to keep our kids in school is the key to improving social and economic health in our community… We are pleased to see additional funds coming into our community to focus on this important issue.”

Sonoma County lost $9.1 million in state revenue because of absenteeism during the 2012-13 school year, or about $171 per student, county officials said.