The Juvenile Probation Program works with youth and families to promote public safety, accountability, positive development, and successful outcomes. The department provides individualized guidance, structure, supervision, and services based on each youth's strengths, needs, and level of risk. In partnership with families, schools, service providers, and the community, the Juvenile Probation Units help youth address the factors contributing to court involvement, make responsible decisions, and build skills that support long-term success through a framework focused on accountability, rehabilitation, family engagement, and community safety.
JUVENILE PROBATION GOALS:
- To assess each youth individually and provide services and interventions tailored to the youth's strengths, needs, circumstances and level of risk.
- To provide community-based supervision and support, with probation officers working with youth in homes, schools, neighborhoods, and other community settings when appropriate.
- To build respectful, consistent, and professional relationships among probation officers, youth, and families.
- To make a youth's court involvement an opportunity for accountability, learning, positive change, and growth.
- To engage parents and caregivers as partners in case planning and supervision while connecting families with appropriate community supports and resources.
- To assist the court in developing interventions that address the needs of youth, promote public safety, and support efforts to repair harm to victims and the community.
- To use a flexible, individualized approach to supervision based on each youth's assessed needs and public safety risk, adjusting the level and frequency of contact as circumstances change.
- To strengthen family relationships and support family stability whenever possible.
- To help youth take responsibility for their actions while recognizing their strengths, value, and potential through individualized support and positive community connections.