Breakout Sessions
Embedding Family Engagement in Juvenile Justice: Enhancing Systems Through the Strengthening Families Program
Wednesday, October 22
1:15 PM–2:45 PM
Family connection is key to helping youth thrive, especially for those in the juvenile justice or foster care systems. This session highlights how Butte County Probation uses the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) to improve outcomes for justice-involved youth and their families. The Strengthening Families Foundation will also share national insights on how SFP is being implemented in detention, diversion, and early intervention settings across the country.
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The Silent 10%: The Untold Crisis of the Justice System’s Fastest Growing Population – Women
Wednesday, October 22
1:15 PM–2:45 PM
Women are the fastest-growing population in the U.S. justice system—yet their unique needs remain widely unmet. This session explores the impact of incarceration on women and their families, and how gender-responsive strategies like the Gemma Project are addressing this hidden crisis. Participants will learn about the importance of tailored, trauma-informed approaches, and the power of multi-system collaboration to support justice-involved women, most of whom are mothers, through both pre- and post- release programming.
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Power in Partnership: Advancing Probation Outreach Through Collaboration
Wednesday, October 22
1:15 PM–2:45 PM
Probation departments are uniquely positioned to help address homelessness issues facing our communities – connecting accountability with services that promote long-term stability. This session highlights how Sacramento, Placer, and San Joaquin County Probation Departments developed Homeless Outreach Programs through innovative partnerships with community organizations and law enforcement. Presenters will share strategies for engagement, cross-system collaboration, and the critical role probation plays in reducing homelessness, enhancing public safety, and promoting rehabilitation.
Smart Justice: Using Data to Guide Pretrial Decisions
Wednesday, October 22
3:05 PM–4:35 PM
The Public Safety Assessment (PSA) is a validated pretrial tool that informs release decisions based on risk—not resources. Presenters will break down how the PSA works, how it supports both courts and probation, and share the lessons learned from its implementation across California. Attendees will learn practical ways to use the PSA to enhance fairness, reduce reliance on monetary bail, and improve public safety through effective pretrial monitoring.
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Move the Middle: Shifting Culture Starts with You
Wednesday, October 22
3:05 PM–4:35 PM
Probation is dedicated to helping people change—yet change is often the very thing we resist within our own organizations. To evolve and achieve our mission, we must confront this paradox. Culture shifts not from the top down, but when the people in the middle—the majority—choose to move. This workshop will challenge you to identify where you stand on the curve of change and empower you to take action. Embracing change isn’t optional; it’s essential. The future depends on your willingness to help Move the Middle.
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ISFC for Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth
Wednesday, October 22
3:05 PM–4:35 PM
This session explores how San Francisco Juvenile Probation and Alternative Family Services launched an Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC) program to reduce detention and improve outcomes for justice involved youth. Attendees will learn what it takes to develop and sustain an ISFC model, including recruiting culturally responsive foster homes and providing 24/7 support/services such as individualized case management, peer support, and mental health services for both youth and caregivers.
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Partnerships in Action: Probation, Courts, and the Judicial Council in Pretrial
Thursday, October 23
1:15 PM–2:45 PM
California’s Pretrial Services Program is built on strong collaboration between probation, the Judicial Council, and the courts. Presenters will examine probation’s expanding role in monitoring and case management, the Judicial Council’s support for local implementation, and how judges balance release decisions with public safety and court appearance. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how these partnerships create effective, balanced pretrial practices across the state.
Moderator: Jessica Ireland, Senior Manager, Center for Effective Public Policy
Transitioning from Foster Care to Adulthood: Unlocking Resources for Success
Thursday, October 23
1:15 PM–2:45 PM
It is important for youth to have a sense of security and stability in their lives to better assist them in accomplishing their goals. This session, led by John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY), will highlight essential resources available to non-minor dependents and young people exiting foster care. Attendees will learn about practical tools and supports—including housing programs, education access, and tax relief—that help promote long-term stability and success for youth navigating the path to independence.
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Building Community & Safety Through School-Probation Partnerships
Thursday, October 23
1:15 PM–2:45 PM
Strong partnerships between probation and education systems can enhance safety and strengthen communities. Shasta County Probation and the Office of Education share how their collaboration has led to shared practices, including restorative approaches with youth and staff in juvenile facilities. Attendees will gain practical tools, training ideas, and strategies to develop similar partnerships in their own counties.
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Bridging Care: CalAIM Implementation and Reentry Coordination for Justice-Involved Youth
Thursday, October 23
3:05 PM–4:35 PM
This session from Orange County Probation highlights how justice-involved youth are better supported through the implementation of California’s CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative. The focus will be on the role of Transitional Care Coordinator (TCC) Officers, who lead monthly case conferences with families, counselors, health professionals, and school staff to support reentry planning. The session also emphasizes cross-agency collaboration to ensure youth are enrolled in Medi-Cal and receive their benefits prior to release.
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Individualizing Intervention: Lessons from AB 372 Domestic Violence Pilots
Thursday, October 23
3:05 PM–4:35 PM
This session will address serving youth in foster care with high and more acute needs, emphasizing collaboration among county partners. It will explore family-based services and crisis stabilization options for those requiring intensive treatment before transitioning home. Individualizing treatment and probation terms is a cornerstone of effective criminal justice practice, including supervision of domestic violence cases.
Elevating Evidence-Based Supervision Through Equity-Conscious Validation: Lessons Learned from Sonoma County SRNA Tool
Thursday, October 23
3:05 PM–4:35 PM
Sonoma County Probation conducted a rigorous, equity-focused validation of its Static Risk-Needs Assessment (SRNA) tool using more than a decade of local data. This session explores findings on predictive accuracy, implementation fidelity, and observed disparities by race, gender, and age. Presenters will share best practices in validation and adjustments made to reduce bias. Attendees will learn how local validation can improve fairness, strengthen evidence-based practices, and enhance alignment between supervision and actual risk.
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