Former San Antonio County Court Judge Joins the Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former San Antonio County Court Judge and a leader in the fight against truancy, Linda Penn, is joining the Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network. Over 25 percent of the nation’s students never finish high school. The Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network (DTPN) is working to stem the dropout tide with a proven program that combines phone-based mentoring with geolocation technology.

“As both a successful parent and Jurist, she will bring unique insights and problem solving approaches to this critical area.”

Before joining DTPN, Penn heard thousands of truancy cases from the bench in San Antonio where she presided for more than six years. She introduced a bold truancy reduction program combining technology and one-on-one phone-based mentoring of truants in San Antonio schools. She will join the DTPN as President of Judicial Services.

“I welcome this opportunity to help students in all states improve their lives through education because the implications of truancy threaten to cripple our nation,” said Ms. Penn. “Students need structure and support to put them back on a positive track. The Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network offers the same approach that I found to be very successful in San Antonio and I am proud to be part of this dynamic program.”

“We are thrilled to bring Linda Penn into the Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network. Linda brings compassion, practicality and real-world experience into the fight against truancy,” said Peter A. Gudmundsson, CEO of DTPN. “She will be able to draw attention to the issue and promote our solution in courts, schools, and law enforcement agencies throughout the country.”

DTPN developed the Right Back on Track Mentoring Program that was recently adopted by the Clark County Court in Las Vegas. DTPN mentors are specially trained adults with youth coaching experience who call students regularly during a twelve-week program. The mentors stress the importance of attending school and are specifically trained in setting expectations and coaching their students to make positive life choices. Mentors stay in touch with their student via a ruggedized cell phone with only three allowed telephone numbers: the mentor’s, the school and 911. The company has a special commitment to hiring coaches with physical challenges including veterans who face their own hardships as Wounded Warriors.

Bexar County Commissioner for Precinct 4 in Texas, Tommy Adkisson commended Ms. Penn for her service as a Bexar County judge and for her dedication to helping troubled teens. “As an energetic and innovative Justice of the Peace in Bexar County, Judge Linda Penn provided fresh approaches to old problems of truancy,” said Commissioner Adkisson. “As both a successful parent and Jurist, she will bring unique insights and problem solving approaches to this critical area.”

Ms. Penn added, “There is no greater reward than to educate children and guide them to a promising future. I feel privileged to be a part of this dynamic program.”

Read more about Ms. Penn at www.dtpnetwork.com/management.html.

Photo of Ms. Penn located at http://www.dtpnetwork.com/pic/Judge_Linda_Penn-Media_High_Resolution.jpg

About the Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network

Dropout & Truancy Prevention Network ( DTPNetwork.com ) provides structure, accountability and support that students need to stay in school and stay on track to graduate. The Right Back on Track Mentoring Program combines virtual (phone-based) coaching for each student with a cellular location verification technology to track the student’s whereabouts. If the student fails to appear at a place where he or she should be (e.g. home or class), the system initiates a series of automated and human intervention steps. Trained mentor/coaches—many who are Wounded Warrior combat veterans— are assigned to students to guide them on a more positive track. DTPN is currently active in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Nevada, Florida, Louisiana and California.