That's a pretty steady number from one year to the next, except for a few years back when the center dealt with close to 600 kids. Part of the consequences for students brought to the center by police is the requirement to complete 10 hours of community service. And both parent and child are asked to sign an attendance contract. One visit to the center is usually enough for most truants and their parents only about 3 percent return a second time. After the initial visit, the center keeps tabs on a student's attendance for two months.
Some parents ask to extend that follow-up to help keep their kids in line.
The center also gets calls from parents usually around the time grades are sent home who ask for help because their own efforts have failed. Besides the counseling services, the center has the threat of community service to hold over the heads of kids who aren't listening to their parents. Only selected stories from The Brownsville Herald Newspaper are published on the Internet. To get complete coverage please subscribe to The Brownsville Herald by clicking here. World Nickelodeon Nick Jr .