Breakout Sessions

CPOC and CPOC Foundation are thrilled to announce the titles and descriptions for the breakout sessions at our upcoming statewide conference! This year’s conference focuses on the challenging yet rewarding work probation does every day – protecting communities while creating real pathways for people to change. This conference is an opportunity to elevate the profession beyond the day-to-day tasks and recognizing the broader impact probation has on individuals, communities, and public safety. Each breakout session is crafted to advance the field of probation. There is still time to register for the conference here.

The conference will include the following breakout sessions: 

Leading the Future: Integration of Artificial Intelligence with Community Supervision

Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool that can assist community supervision agencies as they manage operations and support client outcomes. This session will move from concept to implementation by showing how AI can be responsibly integrated into daily practice, workforce development, and data-informed decision-making. Through demonstrations, case examples, and discussion, participants will explore how to use AI to increase capacity while protecting human judgment, ethics, accountability, equity, and rehabilitation.

Getting on the Same Page: Building Better Outcomes Through Data 

Fresno County will share its countywide approach to improving data-sharing, accountability, and outcome tracking across probation and community-based service providers. Using AB 109 data as a starting point, the county developed standardized reporting tools, a data crosswalk, and a shared data dictionary to strengthen coordination and better understand client outcomes and service use. Participants will learn lessons on building partner buy-in, simplifying data collection, and sustaining a collaborative data infrastructure that supports decision-making and demonstrates program impact.

CalAIM for Justice Involved Juveniles: We’ve Launched…Now how do we get this rocket into orbit? 

The CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative for juveniles has moved from launch to implementation across California counties. This session will focus on how counties are building capacity, strengthening sustainability, and refining local approaches for at-risk youth. Participants will reflect on early implementation experiences, discuss common challenges, share lessons learned, and identify priorities for 2027.

CalAIM for Justice Involved Adults: We’ve Launched…Now how do we get this rocket into orbit? 

The CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative for adults has moved from launch to implementation across California counties. This session will focus on how counties are building capacity, strengthening sustainability, and refining local approaches with state and local partners, including CDCR, DHCS, behavioral health, sheriffs, probation, and community-based organizations. Participants will reflect on early implementation experiences, discuss common challenges, share lessons learned, and identify priorities for 2027.

AB 109: Be a State Policy Decision Maker for A Day: What Would You Have Done?

AB 109 was one of the most significant criminal justice reforms of the modern era. By avoiding one-size-fits-all mandates and giving counties extraordinary latitude for local control and local solutions, the state changed probation practice forever. Fifteen years after its passage, this session will invite participants to look back at the circumstances that drove these major changes, consider the choices leaders faced at the time, and explore how lessons from history can sharpen today’s strategies for moving forward.

Pretrial 2.0: Judicial–Probation Perspectives on Emerging Impacts and the Implications for Probation Operations

Recent developments, including Proposition 36 and the In re Kowalcyk decision, continue to shape California’s pretrial landscape. This panel will bring together judicial and probation leaders to discuss emerging impacts on pretrial operations, evolving responsibilities, and resource challenges. Participants will gain insight into how agencies are adapting policies and practices while preparing for future changes.

Bridging Systems, Building Futures: A Collaborative Approach to Education Access 

Participants will learn how Shasta County built collaborative partnerships to improve educational opportunities for justice-involved youth. This session will highlight the development of the STEP-UP program, early implementation of the Rising Scholars Juvenile Justice Program, and expansion into new partnerships and counties. Participants will explore lessons learned, early outcomes, and strategies for building sustainable collaborations that improve educational access and long-term success.

What Youth Say About SYTF and LRPs: Lessons from Sonoma County’s Participant Voice Evaluation 

Sonoma County will share findings from its participant voice evaluation of Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) and Less Restrictive Program (LRP) services under California’s juvenile justice realignment. By combining youth perspectives with feedback from staff, service providers, and support networks, the evaluation identifies opportunities to strengthen individualized services, improve collaboration, and enhance reentry planning. Participants will learn practical strategies for incorporating youth voice into program evaluation and continuous quality improvement.

Expanding Career Technical Education Pathways for Successful Reentry

This session will highlight three Career Technical Education programs operating at EMJDF: the YDA Fire Program, the Virtual Rebuild Auto-Tech Program, and the Re: Coat Painting New Futures Program. Presenters will demonstrate how these programs build workforce skills, increase self-confidence, and prepare youth for meaningful employment in high-demand industries. Participants will explore how career pathways can strengthen reentry outcomes and create long-term opportunities for success.

Let’s Get Real – Change is Hard for Youth and Staff

San Francisco Juvenile Probation will share its journey implementing RISE, a behavioral development program grounded in Roca’s Rewire cognitive behavioral approach. Presenters will discuss the realities of implementation, including the importance of staff buy-in, partner collaboration, intentional planning, and adapting timelines as challenges emerged. Participants will gain practical lessons on leading organizational change and sustaining meaningful program improvements.

Probation Off Ramps: Contra Costa’s Prevention and Diversion Strategy

Contra Costa County Probation will showcase its comprehensive approach to preventing formal system involvement through early intervention, collaboration, and diversion. This session will explore four key pillars: community-based prevention, Family First prevention planning, internal process improvements, and innovative diversion strategies. Participants will learn how cross-sector partnerships and data-informed decision-making can create stronger pathways that keep youth connected to their families and communities.

Foster Care Tiered Rate Structure: Preparing for the Final Phase of Implementation

The first phase of the Permanent Foster Care Tiered Rate Structure (TRS) implementation began January 1, 2026, requiring fidelity of the Integrated Practice Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS) and Child and Family Team (CFT) for all youth and nonminor dependents (NMDs) in foster care. So, what’s next? The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) will provide an overview of and update on the new TRS to help counties prepare for the final implementation phase that goes into effect July 1, 2027.

Search Warrants for Probation Officers

Effective probation supervision requires sound legal judgment, thoughtful decision-making, and a clear understanding of constitutional limits. In this session, Sacramento County will equip officers with practical knowledge to determine when a probation search is appropriate and when a search warrant is required, while strengthening skills in probable cause development, report writing, and affidavit preparation. Through real-world scenarios, participants will build confidence in conducting legally sound investigations that promote officer safety, accountability, and public trust.

You’re Being Bullied…By Your Own Mind: Resilience 2.0

What if your biggest bully isn’t another person? What if it’s the voice in your own head? This interactive session will help participants recognize the thinking traps that keep them stuck, learn to respond instead of react, and build an inner voice that creates confidence, resilience, and better decisions under pressure.