Truancy today is a dilemma that has reached epic proportions. According to the Manual to Combat Truancy, “Truancy is a gateway to crime. High rates of truancy are linked to high rates of daytime burglaries and high vandalism” (U.S. Department of Education, 1996). While truancy itself is only a status offense, it is a common core link associated with many other problems. These links include behavioral problems (Gresham, Lane, & Lambros, 2000), school dropout (Hunt & Hopko, 2009), future criminal activity, family problems, and drug use (U.S. Department of Justice, 2001), a predictor of lack employment and welfare (U.S. Department of Education, 1996) and even homelessness (Babb, Haezewindt, & Martin, 2004). Armed with the above knowledge, communities and governments around the world seek to contemplate what preventative measures to use to prevent truancy from becoming even more out of control and leading to an increase in juvenile delinquency. There are many approaches to combating truancy, some of which are punitive and some of which are preventative. While many programs exist in the United States to help reduce truancy, one of the first, Community in Schools, has shown very positive results in reducing truancy and academic performance. This type of community-based program differs drastically from other efforts attempted around the world. Saying that truancy has reached epic proportions may seem like an exaggerated claim, but you only need to look at your residential statistics to see that this is indeed a reality. Dropping out of school not only diminishes youth's education, but is also a dynamic that leads to school dropout (Hunt & Hopko, 2009). In Bexar County, Texas, in 2008-2009, officials said high school dropout rates ... middle of paper ... forced high school dropout rates among Southern Appalachian students. Journal of Primary Prevention, 30(5), 549-67. Truancy: How do countries compare? (Saturday 5 February 2005, 1.20pm GMT). BBC News/Education. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/4238687.stmTruancy Timeline: 1997-2009, (Wednesday 11 February 2009, 11.33 GMT). BBCNews/Education. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7851787.stmTruant Does Time, (Thursday 8 February 2007). Spiegel Online International news. Retrieved from http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,465077,00.htmlU.S. Department of Education, 1996. Handbook for combating truancy. (1996). Washington DC. United States Department of Justice. The 8% Solution, 2001. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs. Washington, DC.