General Sessions

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Opening Remarks
Wednesday, December 2
8:30 AM–8:50 AM

Opening Remarks: Chief Esa Ehmen-Krause, Contra Costa County Probation Department; President, Chief Probation Officers of California

Honor Guard: Monterey County Probation Sheriff Department

National Anthem:

Pledge of Allegiance:

Platinum Sponsor: Chris Kamin, Development Officer, equivant Supervision and Pretrial

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Who Would You Be Without Your Title?
Wednesday, December 2
8:50 AM–9:50 AM

Who are you when your grades, job, achievements, and labels are stripped away? In this thought-provoking keynote, Duncan challenges participants to discover who they are beyond what they do. Through powerful stories and practical resilience strategies, they’ll learn how to overcome setbacks, build unshakable confidence, and reconnect with the version of themselves that adversity can’t take away.

Speakers:

  • Duncan Kirkwood, 1LT, MPA

Handout:  

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The Language of Optimism
Wednesday, December 2
10:10 AM–11:10 AM

Join best-selling author and optimism expert Case Kenny for an interactive keynote exploring how the words you use actively shape what you attract in life. Through a blend of neuroscience, linguistics, and psychology, you’ll discover how language influences motivation, resilience, and the way your brain interprets what’s possible. 

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Leading with Purpose, Empowering Change
Wednesday, December 2
11:10 AM–12:00 PM

Alameda County will showcase a peer-to-peer strategic planning model that replaces traditional consultant-led and top-down approaches with an inclusive, internally driven process. By engaging staff, partners, and clients through structured town hall meetings, the department gathered diverse perspectives, encouraged candid feedback, and built shared ownership of organizational priorities.

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From Concept to Culture: Launching a Comprehensive Wellness Program in Probation
Thursday, December 3
10:00 AM–11:00 AM

This session will explore how the San Joaquin County Probation Department has developed a comprehensive wellness program to support workforce health, resilience, and organizational effectiveness. Attendees will learn key elements of a successful wellness program, including leadership support, multidimensional wellness initiatives, and strategies for fostering a culture of well-being.

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Know Your Why
Thursday, December 3
11:15 AM–12:00 PM

There are numerous pathways and motivations that have lead probation professions to dedicate their careers to helping others change their lives for the better and improve public safety. Come listen to a few of the stories from your colleagues around the state about why they chose a career in probation – or perhaps probation chose them – and what keeps them inspired and encouraged to continue the important work.

Speakers:

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Handout:  

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The Funny Thing about Stress
Friday, December 4
8:40 AM–9:55 AM

Keeping our sense of humor, our sanity and our health in our challenging world of Probation!
We all know that we should manage our stress, but we don’t necessarily know why or how! It’s Kay Frances to the STRESS-cue! She literally wrote the book on stress! With this energetic, upbeat presentation, attendees laugh while they learn without straining their brains.

Kay combines her background as a professional standup comedian with her expertise in wellness and stress management to give fun, funny and lively presentations.

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CDCR Warm Hand Off
Friday, December 4
10:10 AM–11:10 AM

Synopsis: This session will highlight the collaboration between probation and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). We will explore the current warm handoff processes for individuals released onto PRCS and where processes can better align with evolving field practices and operational needs. The session will examine the ongoing collaboration between CDCR and probation leaders to adjust and refine the current workflow.

Moderator:

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Look Beyond, Look Ahead
Friday, December 4
11:10 AM–11:30 AM

Synopsis: CPOC President Chief Esa Ehmen-Krause will reflect on the challenges, progress and accomplishments that shaped California probation over the past year, while looking ahead to the opportunities and priorities that will define the profession’s next chapter. This session will highlight where probation has been, what has been achieved together and where the profession must go next.

Speaker:

  • Chief Esa Ehmen-Krause, Contra Costa County Probation Department; President, Chief Probation Officers of California