COUNTY OF SAN BENITO

Office of

PROBATION DEPARTMENT

400 Monterey Street

Hollister, CA  95023

831-636-4070

The San Benito County Probation Department was significantly impacted by the funding allocated to our county for juvenile prevention programs.  With a total county population of roughly 56,000, risk factors are high while applicable resources are scarce.  This funding permitted us to implement an Early Intervention Program.

After conducting a collaborative community assessment, six service gaps were identified by the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council.  It was found that these six principles could be consolidated into a single strategy to respond to juvenile crime by utilizing the Orange County 8% Solution model.

Principle One:  Due to large caseloads, existing staff were unable to respond to juvenile crime in an immediate, certain, and consistent manner.  “The lack of consistent intervention with juvenile offenders soon after their initial contact with the police or other authority has long been recognized as perhaps the largest gap in services for troubled youth” (OJJDP, 1995).This funding allocation allowed us to devote two probation officers to this specific population to ensure swift and certain consequences.

Principle Two:   One of the issues clearly identified by the Orange County 8% Solution was that all of the minors who became chronic recidivists presented multiple criminogenic risk factors at their first referral to the juvenile justice system.  Although these risk factors were present, intervention did not take place until after the minors committed subsequent crimes.  The tendency toward a lenient disposition for these early offenders was seen as detrimental.  It was found that with an extensive individualized assessment of these minors’ risks and needs, intensive services that were tailored to the presented risks and needs significantly reduced the likelihood that these minors would re-offend.  Prior to this funding, the San Benito County Probation Department was not able to conduct individualized assessments at the intake phase.  This funding allocation permitted us to engage in a full assessment of early offenders and their families to intervene effectively before it is too late to prevent an escalating offending pattern.

Principle Three:  The use of graduated sanctions was identified as a service gap to be addressed by this funding allocation.  Studies have proven that community-based, probation supervision is more effective in reducing recidivism than incarceration.  The use of empathy-based community service, home supervision, and electronic monitoring were expanded for this population to ensure that this population developed positive connections with their community to reduce the inclination to victimize others.  Field trips, educational workshops, and other pro-social activities were developed to provide enriched alternatives to drug use, truancy, and aggressive behavior. 

Principle Four:  Placing an emphasis on victims’ needs was identified as a service gap to be addressed.  Adapting to a Balanced And Restorative Justice philosophy is being developed department-wide and will aid in further connecting these minors to their community and victims to engage a more empathetic attitude in this population.

Principle Five and Six:  These principles are successfully dealt with in the community with the implementation of case plan driven case management. 

All minors fifteen years and younger at first wardship declaration, who are residing at home and referred for a first or second criminal charge, will be evaluated to determine eligibility criteria for the program.  Minors demonstrating three or more of the risk factors associated with future chronic recidivism will be placed on the Early Intervention Program.  The risk factors include:

1.                  Significant family problems (abuse, criminal family members, a lack of parental supervision and control).

2.                  Significant school problems (truancy, failing more than one course, or recent suspension or expulsion).

3.                  A pattern of drug and/or alcohol use.

4.                  Delinquent peers, chronic runaway behaviors, or a pattern of theft-related behaviors.

The two probation officers assigned to this program work flexible work schedules to accomplish the mission of frequent field visits at home, school, and other locations frequently associated by the minors.  These officers conduct appropriate life-skill workshops, engage the minors in meaningful services and activities, and employ a continuum of graduated sanctions in the community.  Program goals include the following:

1.                  Increase structure, supervision, and support to minors and their families.

2.                  Hold minors accountable for their actions.

3.                  Promote regular school attendance and improved learning.

4.                  Promote pro-social values, behavior and relationships.

County collaborative services includes the following:

1.                  San Benito County Substance Abuse Program:

a.       Drug and alcohol assessments

b.      Drug and alcohol education

c.       Drug and alcohol counseling

d.      Drug and alcohol testing

2.                  San Benito County Mental Health Program:

a.       Mental health assessments and evaluations

b.      Follow-up services

c.       Medication assessments

3.                  San Benito County Public Health Department:

a.       Health screenings

b.      Health education

4.                  San Benito County Probation Department:

a.       Recreational activities coordination

b.      Life-skill classes

c.       Life-style workshops

d.      Community service coordination

e.       Weekend activities

f.        Homework clubs

g.       Tutoring programs

h.       Youth employment intake assistance

5.                  Employment Development Department:

a.       Employment preparation

b.      Employment opportunities

6.                  Community-based Organizations:

a.       Community Solutions:  family counseling

b.      Answers Benefiting Children:  parenting skills class

c.       One-Stop Job Services:  vocational skills

d.      King and Associates:  Health Realizations (corrective thinking training)

The following outcome measurements will be tracked to determine the efficacy of this program:

State Mandated Outcomes:

1.     Five percent rate reduction of juvenile arrest per 100,000 population

2.     The rate of successful completion of probation

3.     Five percent improvement in the rate of successful completion of court-ordered community

        service responsibilities

4.     Five percent improvement in the rate of successful payment of restitution

5.     Five percent improvement in the rate of arrests, incarceration, and probation violations of

        the program participants

6.     The quantification of the annual per capita costs of the program with no other funding    source used

Additional Outcomes:

1.     Five percent increase in school attendance

2.     Twenty percent reduction in school disciplinary referrals

3.     Ten percent reduction in school suspensions

To date, staff assigned to this program have discovered unanticipated factors which

contribute to instability.  An inordinate number of minors and families fitting the criteria for this

program demonstrate the following:

1.     Prior suspected child abuse and neglect of minor and/or family members

2.     Prior sexual abuse of minor and/or family members

3.     Significant lack of involvement or cooperation by parent(s)

4.     Refusal, rather than inability, of parent(s) to transport minors to school, counseling, and activities

5.     Refusal, rather than inability, of parent(s) to cooperate at a meaningful level in the minor’s case plan.