From the Calexico Chronicle.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – December 7, 2023 –  Outstanding California probation leaders — including Imperial County’s own Maribel Carvajal — were recognized for their community contributions with awards from the Chief Probation Officers of California. 

Awardees were celebrated at an event in Sacramento on Thursday, Dec. 7 for their work and dedication to transforming adults and youths seeking healthy, productive lives outside the justice system, according to a Chief Probation Officers of California press release.

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Imperial County’s Carvajal is the South Region’s Regional Employee of the Year, representing the Imperial County Probation Department. Deputy probation officer III, she is the lead probation officer for the department’s Secure Track Program. 

Carvajal has played a vital role in reaching critical milestones throughout the Secure Track Program’s existence, and she remains committed to the advancement of the program by introducing creative ideas to further program development. 

Additionally, Officer Carvajal established a multitude of service offerings for the Secure Track youths, including mental health services, substance use disorder services, educational services, pet therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, parenting classes, mentoring services, anger replacement treatment, religious offerings, cultural offerings, independent living skills, recreational programming, and art programming. 

Officer Carvajal has collaborated with Imperial Valley College to ensure all Secure Track youths meet educational goals. Most recently, she was responsible for allowing one of her youths to attend in-person classes at IVC. Officer Carvajal has established multiple relationships with community partners to enable Secure Track youths to gain work experience.

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Read the full article here.