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Our Impact

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Changing Lives

Practice

Evidence-based policies and practices are used in virtually everything from supervision to community outreach to training. The department uses current research and data to help guide decisions and produce outcomes that the clients, victims, and community expect. Probation uses evidence-based practices that include risk and needs assessments, motivational interviewing, targeted interventions, cognitive-behavioral techniques, positive reinforcement, ongoing support, and measurable feedback to both clients and employees.

Research shows individuals respond better and maintain learned behaviors and skills for longer periods of time when they receive positive reinforcement. Additionally, providing feedback regarding progress is associated with enhanced motivation and improved outcomes. The same holds true within the department. Monitoring the delivery of services provided and maintaining the fidelity of procedures to validated literature helps build accountability and maintain integrity to the agency’s mission and values. Regular performance audits keep staff focused on the goals for themselves and the department.

Service

Probation offers a wide array of services for both juvenile and adult offenders. Juveniles housed in the Juvenile Detention Facility may receive a combination of educational, vocational, and recreational training in a safe and secure environment, as well as medical and mental health services. Placement services such as group homes for youth and residential treatment programs for adults are offered when it is in the client’s best interest.

Probation is an integral part of the Justice System, providing risk assessments and investigative reports to the courts. Probation officers serve as the link between the client and the court system. Case management, supervision, electronic monitoring, prevention, intervention, referrals and enforcement is also provided to ensure offenders’ compliance with their court order, which can include participation in treatment programs, community service, and payment of restitution to victims. Just as paramount, however, is the provision of services towards the overall rehabilitation of justice-involved individuals, addressing their criminogenic needs and any other concerns such as substance abuse, mental illness, or instability in employment to ensure positive outcomes.

Support

In addition to supervising and monitoring an offender’s progress, probation officers also foster rehabilitation. Probation officers partner with social services and community agencies to help offenders rebuild their lives. This includes utilizing resources such as employment opportunities, stable housing, supplemental assistance programs, counseling, crisis intervention, delinquency prevention, and educational as well as rehabilitation opportunities. The goal of a probation officer is to help reduce recidivism by helping their clients overcome barriers and succeed.

Parallel to helping offenders, the Probation Department also offers support to employees in various forms. Employees are encouraged to participate in community outreach events throughout the year, bringing a sense of unity to the department as well as those in the communities we serve. Employees are given the opportunity to participate in countywide activities such as Walking Works Challenge and the Corporate Games. Additionally, the Employee Assistance Program is offered to County employees and their families. The Employee Assistance Program offers confidential services including counseling, legal assistance, financial assistance, and wellness education seminars. Furthermore, the department offers continuous training and development opportunities. Positions within the department may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Individuals who are members of a union are also offered additional support services.

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Building Safer Communities

Collaboration

The Probation Department (Probation) employs Probation Officers who provide supervision and can recommend a spectrum of prevention/intervention services based on the needs of the adult and juvenile offenders under their care. In doing so, Probation collaborates with community-based organizations and partners that incorporate evidence-based practices in their programs, which help foster change and promote positive behavior of justice-involved individuals.

Familiarity with client issues is integral to promoting positive changes. Equipped with it, Probation, in working together with community-based organizations and partners, work to combat common issues such as substance abuse, mental illness, employment constraints, and any other socioeconomic concerns that hamper rehabilitation. In identifying these criminogenic needs, the department is better able to find a solution in concert with other organizations to work towards the same goal of rehabilitation and community safety.

Opportunity

If you embrace new challenges, enjoy helping others, desire continued learning and professional growth opportunities, a career in Probation might be for you.

There is an abundance of opportunities within the Probation Department to grow professionally, build safer communities, and to positively affect lives. Probation Department is a place where integrity, professionalism, and service to the community is valued. A place where adherence to strong moral principles are upheld; a place where collective and individual accountability and achievement are observed; a place where service towards positive changes is nurtured.

Those who have a passion for meeting the objectives of the Probation Department and the community and have a desire to help individuals under their care effectuate positive change can and have seen their career prosper from support staff to executive management. You are empowered with the decision to take your profession in Probation to the levels you choose. You also decide if, at the end of the day, your actions and/or attitude of service has made a positive influence on others, enhanced the quality of life of those within your sphere of influence, and helped to build safer communities.

Likewise, opportunities for offenders are also abound. Adult and juvenile offenders are advised and provided training on how to manage their life. Offenders also are provided support and shown how to cope with life’s challenges in a manner that is conducive to producing a positive outcome. Offenders are provided the support and opportunity necessary to transform their life; to be provided the chance to absolve themselves of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors; to be provided the chance to be free of substance abuse; to be provided the chance to reclaim stability in employment; to be provided a second chance in life.

Education

Probation Department is an entity that fosters change by means of rigorous investigation, effective supervision, and maintaining fidelity to evidence-based practices. As such, it is not uncommon for Probation employees to have an education related to criminal justice, behavioral sciences, and/or social services. Upon employment, Probation Officers receive standardized training, including completion of Core training. The curriculum for Core training was developed by the Standards and Training for Corrections (STC), a division of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). STC partners with correctional agencies to develop and administer selection and training standards based on core tasks of Corrections, Probation, and/or Correctional Peace Officers.

Continued education/core training as mandated by BSCC covers areas such as:

  • Criminal justice system – history of Probation
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Penal Codes
  • Legal foundations and liability
  • Confidentiality and records
  • Professionalism and ethics
  • Priority setting and time management
  • Interpersonal and effective communication
  • Motivational Interviewing – writing investigation reports
  • Managing people with substance abuse and mental health disorders
  • Crisis communication and de-escalation of intense situations

Parallel to learning opportunities that officers benefit from, the Probation Department also promotes education to supervised clients. Services that provide employment training, obtainment of diplomas, cognitive counseling to adjust maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, and others more that affect change are some of the tools that the Probation Department provides to foster learning.