Featured Programs
CPOC Connects: Exchanging Inspired Ideas in Probation
CPOC hosted a conversation with seven California Chief Probation Officers on September 24, 2021, to delve into a conversation and exchange information about unique and promising programs in California Probation. The Chiefs highlight how program formation happens, the hurdles that often need to be overcome for new program implementation and why these programs and others like them are so important to increase sustainable safety in our communities by helping justice-involved individuals with a careful balance of services, treatment, accountability and opportunity.
ICYMI: People on probation cook up new career skills in culinary arts program
Siskiyou County Probation partners with education to help provide job skills for justice-involved individuals
For the full article go to the Siskiyou Daily News
People on probation are getting a crash course in the culinary arts, helping them prepare for new careers in food services.
The program — a collaboration between Siskiyou County Probation and Dunsmuir Adult Education programs — teaches students about types of foods and their health benefits.
ICYMI: Juvenile Hall Students Learning Construction Trade Basics
From Sacramento County Office of Education
Read more and watch the video from Sacramento County Office of Education
Construction teacher Jack Maberry closely watches his students as they work to build shelves as part of a class project. His job: part instructor, part motivator.
ICYMI: Sonoma County youth build modular showers and bathrooms for the homeless
From Sonoma County Probation
To read this article in full visit the Sonoma County Gazette
CPOC Highlight: “In Your Corner”: Alameda County Young Adult Opioid Initiative
From Alameda County Probation
The Alameda County Probation Department has launched an opioid initiative striving to connect young adults to the compassionate supervision and accountability they need and provide preventive and rehabilitative services through evidence-based practices and collaborative partnerships.
CPOC Highlight: Marin County Probation’s 9 to 25 Coalition
Works to Create Shared Community Vision for Youth Outcomes
Marin 9 to 25 is a collective impact coalition that organically evolved from the work the Marin County Probation Department is doing with the Youth Reinvestment Grant. The core leadership team and backbone support for the initiative include members of the Board of Supervisors, County Administrator’s Office, Health and Human Services and health advocacy partners Blue Path Health and the list of participating agencies and coalitions continues to grow.
ICYMI: ‘Breaking Barriers’: How a new Merced County program helps people turn their lives around
BY CHIARA ELENA ROMERO
You can read the full article in the Merced Sun-Star
There’s a new effort on the west side of Merced County geared toward helping those who want to get their life back on track.
Probation Services Week Spotlight: Sacramento County Probation Pre-Trial Program
Sacramento County is one of 16 counties in California that was awarded a Pretrial Pilot Program through the state’s Judicial Council. With resources awarded through this innovative pilot program, the Sacramento County Probation Department (Probation) created a Pretrial unit in 2019.
Why Being on Probation in Napa County is a Privilege
A Client Letter to Napa County Probation
This Probation Services Week, we honor the life transformations made possible by the opportunity, hope, help and accountability probation provides. We are proud to highlight this story, and hear in the client’s own words how probation’s trained experts successfully manage trauma and other needs of the people they serve by connecting service and need to enhance safety and restoration — creating sustainable safety in the communities we serve.
Pretrial Program Highlight: Sonoma County Probation
Fred (not using his real name for privacy) had been having many challenges. He was repeatedly in and out of jail for drug use and property crimes. During multiple incarcerations he talked about changing his life and quitting drugs to reunite with his kids, as he had lost custody of his children due to meth use.
Earlier this year, following another arrest, he was released as a part of a Pretrial pilot program under the care and supervision of the Sonoma County Probation Department.
Probation Spotlight: Welding Program Offers Opportunity for Justice-Involved Individuals
The San Bernardino County Probation day reporting centers offer justice-involved individuals many resources to help transition them back into the community in a positive way. These programs include evidence-based rehabilitation programs, education and workforce development.
This is California Probation
Equity in Gender, Diverse Officers Focused on Collaborative Safety for All
California Probation officers are diverse and highly educated professionals with over 72% of probation officers identifying as non-white, and 51% are women, the majority have four-year degrees, and over half of probation departments have employed former system-involved individuals.
California Probation is educated and trained to help protect communities by carefully balancing justice-involved individuals’ need for accountability along with their need for the help and hope required to safely leave the justice system permanently.
ICYMI: Youth Detention Facility finds culture of kindness more effective than punishment
By Laurie Udesky
From the PACES Connection.
When a young person enters the de-escalation room in the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, they’ll find dimmed lights, bottles of lavender, orange and other essential oils, an audio menu featuring the rush of ocean waves and other calming sounds, along with squeeze balls, TheraPutty, jigsaw puzzles, and an exercise ball to bounce on.
Breaking Through: A Conversation with the Female Leaders of California Probation
As part of the Chief Probation Officers of California’s (CPOC) celebration of Women’s History Month in 2021, CPOC hosted a conversation with many of California’s women Probation Chiefs during a webinar on March 19, 2021. With 51% of probation officers in California being women, this important discussion highlights the value women bring to the probation profession and the importance of a work environment responsive to opportunities for advancement.
SPOTLIGHT: Sierra County Probation Helps Seniors During Pandemic
Sierra County Probation Delivered Daily Meals to Vulnerable Members of the Community
Sierra County Probation took it upon themselves to go above and beyond to help their community during the heart of the stressful COVID-19 pandemic.
ICYMI: ‘Second chance’: Court Program Offers Treatment Over Jail Time For Veterans With Criminal Cases
By Evan Tuchinsky
Thursday and Friday mornings, like clockwork, Randy Cook heads to Five Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park to connect with fellow veterans. Cook served in the U.S. Marine Corps Special Forces during the Vietnam War, arriving he was 17 and facing combat as soon as he turned 18; now 68, he still faces demons from those dark days.
Probation During COVID-19: Feeding the Homeless
El Dorado Probation Youth and Staff Cook Over 3,000 Meals for Locals
In response to COVID-19, Governor Newsom authorized $150 million in March 2020 to establish Project Roomkey, a program that allows counties to provide shelter options for people experiencing homelessness to minimize the strain on local health care systems. Project Roomkey offers people experiencing homelessness exposed to or recovering from COVID-19 a safe place to properly quarantine outside of a hospital, especially if they are at high risk for medical complications.
ICYMI: Pilot program at San Benito Juvenile Hall aims to change youth behavior
By Noe Magaña
Eight current and former youths in custody in San Benito County Juvenile Hall were celebrated on Jan. 8 in a virtual graduation ceremony for a new program called Believe to Achieve, which teaches participants about goals, responsibility and accountability. Half of the residents remain in juvenile hall, while the others completed the program upon release.
San Joaquin County Probation’s Passport Program: Steven’s Story
As a child, Steven grew up with neglectful parents and was placed in a group home. He had a very rough life in and out of the system for what felt like a lifetime. Steven suffered from an addiction to harmful substances and alcohol.
He always wanted a change in his life but never knew how to ask or get the help he needed.
After years of unsuccessful attempts to get his life on a better path, Steven and his family moved to Stockton.
