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Some Highlights of Our Breakout Sessions and One of Our General Sessions!
Day 1 of our conference will feature a general session by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) covering California’s new Permanent Foster Care Rate Structure. Starting July 2025, a key part of this rate structure will take effect, requiring the use of standardized high-fidelity Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment for all youth and non-minor dependents (NMDs) in foster care. This important CANS update will be explored in depth during a breakout session later that day.
Spotlight
County Spotlight: Stanislaus County Probation Success Story – When Support and Accountability Meet
Sacramento, Calif., July 7, 2025 – For Juan, the journey through Stanislaus County Probation has been more than a chance to follow rules — it’s been an opportunity to rebuild his future, step by step, with accountability, guidance, support, and hope.
ICYMI: Experts Sound the Alarm on Prop. 36 Funding Gaps in Davis Vanguard Op-Ed
From Davis Vanguard
Sacramento, Calif., June 10, 2025 — In an opinion editorial published today, Davis Vanguard Editor and Founder David Greenwald highlights growing concerns about the recently announced legislative budget agreement and its failure to adequately fund implementation of Proposition 36, despite overwhelming voter support last November.
In the piece, Greenwald outlines concerns from across the spectrum – including from California Probation and state legislators – about the funding shortfall counties will face as they are expected to carry out the law’s provisions.
New Mural Brings Color and Healing to Monterey County Probation Department Juvenile Hall Garden
Monterey County, Calif., June 3, 2025 – A new mural within the garden of the Monterey County Juvenile Hall was unveiled Friday, May 30th at the Juvenile Hall facility, located at 1420 Natividad Road, Salinas. The mural is a creation of the young men in the facility and artist Fabian Debora of Homeboy Art Academy, a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps youth find identity and understand their roots through art. This special initiative marks Debora’s second visit to the Monterey County Juvenile Hall.
Orange County Probation: Healing Paws, Healing Hearts
Orange County, Calif., April 21, 2025 – If you were to visit a room at the Orange County Probation Department’s (OC Probation) Juvenile Hall, you’d likely come across something unexpected — a photograph of a dog, side by side with the youth. It’s a small, yet powerful reminder of the unique bond they share, one that stands out in a place where many misperceive as a place where hope and connection can be out of reach.
Orange County Probation Officer Uses Superhero Persona to Uplift Communities Nationwide
Orange, Calif., April 17, 2025 – In a remarkable fusion of public service and community outreach, Yuri Williams, a dedicated probation officer with the Orange County Probation Department, has garnered national attention over the past few years for his unique approach to supporting those facing challenges. By donning superhero costumes, Officer Williams brings joy and hope to those in need, all while using his professional experience to make a lasting impact.
Victim Resources
CA Department of Justice Victims’ Services Unit – The Victims’ Services Unit offers crime victims and their families support and information at every stage of the criminal process.
CA Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation, OVSRS – Provides information on offender release, restitution, parole conditions and parole hearings when the offender is incarcerated in prison. 1-877-256-6877
Latest News See all news
Big Sur Foundation to Sponsor a Half Marathon Inside Monterey County Juvenile Detention Center
From Monterey Herald
Carmel, Calif., – July 23, 2025 - It started with a thought, then a phone call, some brainstorming and the willingness to provide a foundation.
In conjunction with the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, the Monterey County Juvenile Detention Center in Salinas has turned a vision into a reality with the inaugural Hall Half run.
Friday, ten incarcerated individuals between the ages of 17-23 will run 124 laps around a paved track inside the fences of the juvenile detention center. The 8 a.m. race will be an official half-marathon – 13.1 miles.
“These are the kind of things the Big Sur Marathon Foundation wants to be a part of,” Marathon Executive Director Jennifer Edwards said. “If we can change just one life, we’re all in. Our aim is to give these guys the tools and confidence to build a healthier, safer and active life.”
Probation Aide Isaiah Garcia, a former North County High football and basketball standout, had a vision for the 8 a.m. race.
“We wanted to give these guys a feeling of accomplishment in their training, having a goal and meeting the goal,” Edwards said. “I wanted to give them as real of an experience as possible.”
After Garcia initiated a call to the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, Edwards went out and met him and the runners. She toured the facility, bringing a measuring wheel, with which the runners mapped out 13.1 miles – with nine laps equaling one mile.
“The guys were receptive, eager to learn about training and incredibly respectful,” Edwards said. “None of them had any experience in training for a half-marathon.”
Or the proper training shoes. Edwards was able to get HOKA to donate shoes to the runners to help them with their training.
“They (HOKA) were more than willing when I told them the cause,” Edwards said. “There will be T-shirts and a race bib – that the runners helped design – and finisher medals donated by our foundation.”
…“They knew I was a runner,” Garcia said. “They said ‘we’d like it if you could bring it back.’ I heard them out. The kids felt it was beneficial for them. But I wanted the race to be more realistic, other than running 124 laps around the track. So I reached out to Jennifer.”
The 10 runners have been committed to the training for the race over the past three months and are in the best shape of their lives.
“I would say halfway through the training, they got tired of the repetitive part of it,” said Garcia, who trains with them. “Now that it’s getting closer, you can see them being more anxious. There are a lot of nerves.”
Edwards pointed out that it’s been more than just helping them get fit. She also has them tracking their nutrition, how they feel before and after training.
“There are other benefits to running other than becoming fit,” Edwards said. “A runner’s high can be amazing. These guys have goals, something to focus on, a sense of accomplishment.”
The 10 have trained together throughout the process, learning the importance of camaraderie, how to chase a common goal.
“When they are able, I will make sure they will be able to run our” Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November, Edwards said….
For the Hall Half, Edwards has recruited 10 volunteers from the Big Sur Marathon Foundation who will click each lap for their assigned runner. A timing clock will be in place.
“We’ll have updates, motivational shout-outs,” Edwards said. “We’ll have hydration stops. It’s like a regular race. We wanted this to have a race feel to it.”
Throughout the process, Garcia has had other individuals in the detention center inquire about wanting to get involved with the training in the future.
“I’ve received interest from other kids,” Garcia said. “I told them, show me you want to do this. They may not see me looking, but I see others putting in the work. I can see this evolving.”
So can Edwards. She doesn’t see this as an experiment, but the beginning of something bigger and traditional down the road.
“Can I see it expanding? Absolutely,” Edwards said. “From what I think is going to happen on Friday, I believe this will grow, interest will grow. I feel really good about this project.”
Read the article here.
San Diego County Probation Youth Shine at Theater Camp
From San Diego County News Center. By Yvette Urrea Moe
SAN DIEGO, Calif., – July 23, 2025 - Three Probation youth not only got to help build theater sets backstage at the La Jolla Playhouse, they also got to build their self-esteem and their resumes.
The youth are students at the Youth Transition Campus and the week-long Tech Theatre Training camp is done in partnership with the theater, the San Diego County Office of Education and the County Probation Department.
“Programs like these support the long-term success of Probation youth by enriching their lives with creativity, structure, and opportunity,” said Mike Whatley, Probation division chief.
Whatley explained several reasons why programs like the theater camp are important for probation-involved youth. The young people get hands-on technical and creative skill development, and they get to see themselves as capable and talented individuals, sometimes for the first time. This can help them build their self-esteem and give them a sense of purpose, he said.
Additionally, it puts them in a professional environment where they are encouraged to practice healthy communication, responsibility and collaboration.
Justice-involved youth have more often than not experienced trauma or instability in their lives. Experiences like the camp expose them to new possibilities and interests, and the arts provide a therapeutic outlet, Whatley said.
Theater teachers and technical staff lead the students through rigorous standards-based coursework that includes making props, scenery and pieces of the sets, as well as, lighting design, costume design and special effects makeup.
At the end of the camp, they earn course credit and a certificate of completion from the La Jolla Playhouse. Both can be listed on the student’s resume to support a career in theater or other professional goals.
The camp and similar programs help support County Probation’s works to help justice-involved youth grow, heal, and build better futures.
Read the article here.
