R.O.C.K. Program Participates in CMSD Back to School Fair: it’s all about holding parents accountable for their school-aged children

Contact:  Ed Ferenc, Public Information Officer                                   
Cleveland Municipal Court
216 664 6787 / 216 789 2597
ference@cmcoh.org     www.cmcoh.org

(Cleveland)—In the continuing effort to cut down on curfew violations in the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland Municipal Court will be participating in Mayor Frank Jackson’s 9^th Annual Youth Summit and Back to School Fair Saturday, August 1 at The Cleveland Public Auditorium.

275 notices have been sent out to parents who did not show up in court in the past year, so during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. they will have an opportunity to get those warrants withdrawn by entering the Court’s ReDirecting Our Curfew Kids or ROCK Program. 

If they choose not to participate, they will be given a court date for arraignment.

Court personnel, including deputy bailiffs, probation officers and the clerk’s office will be set up that day for record checks on those who show up.

“Last year almost 100 parents responded and we hope to improve on that this year, said the Honorable Emanuella Groves, who started ROCK program in 2012 in an effort to curtail curfew violations in the city. 

Participants in the ROCK Program, which costs $25.00 to enter, are given 90 days to fulfill the requirements, which include one monthly parent meeting, a parent/teacher conference for the child, and at least 15 hours of community service and tutoring the child when necessary.  The Court has also partnered with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s The School of One to assist students who are behind in school.

Successful participation means parents are involved in the school, the child is held accountable for his or her actions and the case will be dismissed.

“It’s all about holding parents of school-aged children accountable.  When that happens we see improvement in attendance as well as test scores,” said Judge Groves.