Macon families getting welfare benefits could lose money if they don’t get their kids into the classroom. Its part of a major effort to reduce truancy.

When parent’s sign up for benefits they also agree to get their kids to school and attend parent-teacher conferences. That decade-old federal law is not widely enforced, but now it will be in Bibb County.

The county is joining with the school system, law enforcement, and local DFAC’s office to crack down on parents whose kids have more than 5 unexcused absences a year. Bibb County Commissioner Lonzy Edwards says they want to increase graduation and decrease crime.

“The program is concerned simply with helping to incentivize parents. To let them know that we’re serious about educating their children. And I think most of them, once they understand what we are up to will understand and comply.”

Benefits can be cut 25-percent for the first offense and entirely thereafter.

Tags: Macon, Bibb County, georgia education, Department of Family and Children's Services