Fresno County Fresno County Probation Probation

DepartmentDepartment

Juvenile Division & ServicesJuvenile Division & Services

MissionMission

As a member of the criminal justice system, the As a member of the criminal justice system, the Fresno County Probation Department’s mission is Fresno County Probation Department’s mission is to provide protection for the community, support to provide protection for the community, support victim advocacy, and deliver essential services to victim advocacy, and deliver essential services to the courts. This mission is accomplished through the courts. This mission is accomplished through collaboration and partnerships which encompass collaboration and partnerships which encompass acontinuum of sanctions including acontinuum of sanctions including prevention/intervention programming, prevention/intervention programming, investigation, supervision, and incarceration.investigation, supervision, and incarceration.

Equal Opportunity Equal Opportunity Fresno County Juvenile Fresno County Juvenile

Probation is a public Probation is a public service provider service provider supervising criminally supervising criminally involved youth on involved youth on probation. Working probation. Working closely with the closely with the Department of Social Department of Social Services, the goal of Services, the goal of Fresno County Probation Fresno County Probation is to improve is to improve permanency, safety and permanency, safety and well being of the minors. well being of the minors.

Placement in out of home Placement in out of home care, such as group care, such as group home, relative, non home, relative, non relative and foster care relative and foster care can be required. The can be required. The minors in need of out of minors in need of out of home care have often home care have often experienced neglect, and experienced neglect, and abuse. Finding a suitable abuse. Finding a suitable placement can at times placement can at times be difficult, as the be difficult, as the intensive needs of this intensive needs of this population require population require specific care for each specific care for each child. child.

Equal Opportunity Equal Opportunity Fresno County Probation Department, Juvenile Division Fresno County Probation Department, Juvenile Division

honors social justice and human rights by providing honors social justice and human rights by providing services to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender services to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender youth as well as minorities and the low income youth as well as minorities and the low income population.population.

They take pride in being a diverse work environment, They take pride in being a diverse work environment, providing equal opportunities to all ethnicities, and providing equal opportunities to all ethnicities, and genders. genders.

Employees are required to attend trainings such as Employees are required to attend trainings such as Disproportionate Minority Contact training (DMC) which Disproportionate Minority Contact training (DMC) which equips them with the tools to improve life opportunities equips them with the tools to improve life opportunities for youth, families, and minorities. for youth, families, and minorities.

Structural organizationStructural organizationfor juvenile services:for juvenile services:

Chief

Juvenile Division Director

Probation Services Manager

Deputy Probation Officer IV

Deputy Probation Officer III

Deputy Probation Officer II

Deputy Probation Officer I

Placement Unit Placement Unit The Juvenile Placement Unit places The Juvenile Placement Unit places

minors removed from the custody of minors removed from the custody of their parents by Juvenile Court order. their parents by Juvenile Court order. Based on individual level of care Based on individual level of care needed, minors are placed in group needed, minors are placed in group homes, foster homes or other homes, foster homes or other appropriate out-of-home placements. appropriate out-of-home placements. Some wards are returned to the Some wards are returned to the custody of the parents after successful custody of the parents after successful intervention but, if there is no parent intervention but, if there is no parent available for return, a plan for available for return, a plan for emancipation is developed. All wards emancipation is developed. All wards are supervised in placement by are supervised in placement by assigned Deputy Probation Officers, assigned Deputy Probation Officers, and are seen on a monthly basis. This and are seen on a monthly basis. This unit also operates a pre-placement unit also operates a pre-placement supervision program (sometimes in supervision program (sometimes in conjunction with Electronic Monitoring) conjunction with Electronic Monitoring) in an effort to strengthen/stabilize the in an effort to strengthen/stabilize the ward's home environment to negate ward's home environment to negate the need for out-of-home placementthe need for out-of-home placement..

Another prevention service is the S.B. Another prevention service is the S.B. 163 Wraparound program to assist 163 Wraparound program to assist minors while they transition home with minors while they transition home with parent or relative/non-relative.parent or relative/non-relative.

Officers in the Placement Unit conduct Officers in the Placement Unit conduct annual on-site evaluations of group annual on-site evaluations of group home placement providers and home placement providers and monthly warrant sweep operations. In monthly warrant sweep operations. In addition, “The Group Home Advisory addition, “The Group Home Advisory Committee,” consisting of Committee,” consisting of representatives from all Group Homes, representatives from all Group Homes, meets quarterly at the Probation meets quarterly at the Probation Department to discuss issues, Department to discuss issues, concerns, and best practices for concerns, and best practices for providing the most effective treatment providing the most effective treatment for minors in their homesfor minors in their homes

Academic Services Academic Services A full spectrum of educational services is provided to all minors. The A full spectrum of educational services is provided to all minors. The

Fresno County Court Schools are accredited by the Western Fresno County Court Schools are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and provides a comprehensive Association of Schools and Colleges and provides a comprehensive curriculum that allows for maximum continuity with the public curriculum that allows for maximum continuity with the public school program. The curriculum includes all courses necessary for school program. The curriculum includes all courses necessary for graduation from high school. Students who meet these graduation from high school. Students who meet these requirements while in custody are presented a diploma by the requirements while in custody are presented a diploma by the Fresno County Officer of Education. General Education Development Fresno County Officer of Education. General Education Development (GED) preparation is provided for all eligible minors.(GED) preparation is provided for all eligible minors.

Court Services Court Services

Juvenile Investigations is a mandated service provided Juvenile Investigations is a mandated service provided to the Juvenile Court. After adjudication of a petition to the Juvenile Court. After adjudication of a petition filed by the District Attorney, an in-depth social study is filed by the District Attorney, an in-depth social study is completed which includes recommendations to the Court completed which includes recommendations to the Court for disposition purposes. This unit also provides the for disposition purposes. This unit also provides the Court with written information and recommendations for Court with written information and recommendations for record sealing. In addition there are assigned Court record sealing. In addition there are assigned Court Officers in each of the Juvenile Court delinquency Officers in each of the Juvenile Court delinquency departmentsdepartments..

Day Reporting CenterDay Reporting Center The Day Reporting Center (D.R.C.) is a community-based treatment The Day Reporting Center (D.R.C.) is a community-based treatment

program; multi-disciplinary in nature; and located at the Violet program; multi-disciplinary in nature; and located at the Violet Heintz Educational Academy in the City of Fresno. D.R.C. is an Heintz Educational Academy in the City of Fresno. D.R.C. is an alternative to incarceration; however, does incorporate an initial 30 alternative to incarceration; however, does incorporate an initial 30 days on the Electronic Monitoring Program. The program employs days on the Electronic Monitoring Program. The program employs three Deputy Probation Officers and one Juvenile Correctional three Deputy Probation Officers and one Juvenile Correctional Officer. Components of the Day Reporting Center program include Officer. Components of the Day Reporting Center program include the following: the following:

Education - RSP services are available for Special Education Education - RSP services are available for Special Education students. students.

Mental Health Services and Case Management (approximately 2 Mental Health Services and Case Management (approximately 2 hours per week). hours per week).

Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (approximately 2 hours Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (approximately 2 hours per week). per week).

Electronic Monitoring. Electronic Monitoring. Probation Supervision/Case Management.Probation Supervision/Case Management.

Day Reporting CenterDay Reporting Center Minors, male and female, aged 14-18 years are Minors, male and female, aged 14-18 years are

eligible for the program. The program contains eligible for the program. The program contains an education component and a treatment an education component and a treatment component. The two treatment options component. The two treatment options available are: standard mental health treatment available are: standard mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment, of which the and substance abuse treatment, of which the minors receive approximately two hours of minors receive approximately two hours of treatment per week for each type of treatment. treatment per week for each type of treatment. A minor can be ordered to participate in one or A minor can be ordered to participate in one or both treatment options. the total length of the both treatment options. the total length of the program is 120-180 days.program is 120-180 days.

Programs/Activities Available at Programs/Activities Available at the Day Reporting Center:the Day Reporting Center:

Mental Health Counseling (approximately 2 hours per Mental Health Counseling (approximately 2 hours per week). week).

Westcare Substance Abuse Counseling (approximately 2 Westcare Substance Abuse Counseling (approximately 2 hours per week). hours per week).

Explorers (Boy Scouts): Specializing in video production. Explorers (Boy Scouts): Specializing in video production. Organized Sports Teams: Minors play against other Organized Sports Teams: Minors play against other

alternative education campuses. alternative education campuses. Field Trips Field Trips Guest Speakers Guest Speakers

Field Supervision Services Field Supervision Services

Juvenile Supervision is provided for minors and Juvenile Supervision is provided for minors and wards (W&I 602) to ensure accountability and wards (W&I 602) to ensure accountability and compliance with Juvenile Court orders or W&I compliance with Juvenile Court orders or W&I Code Section 654 (Informal Probation) Code Section 654 (Informal Probation) sanctions. The primary goal of supervision is sanctions. The primary goal of supervision is protection of the community through protection of the community through intervention directed modification. Supervision of intervention directed modification. Supervision of minors incorporates both community and office minors incorporates both community and office contacts.contacts.

Campus Supervision ServiceCampus Supervision Service The operational goals of the Campus Probation officers The operational goals of the Campus Probation officers

are, through a cooperative effort involving probation, are, through a cooperative effort involving probation, police, schools, and community-based agencies, to police, schools, and community-based agencies, to closely monitor and supervise juvenile probationers closely monitor and supervise juvenile probationers within designated schools. Further, the program is within designated schools. Further, the program is actively involved in developing and operating a spectrum actively involved in developing and operating a spectrum of intervention and/or diversion programs designed to of intervention and/or diversion programs designed to improve behavior in the community, home, and school improve behavior in the community, home, and school and to restrict further entry of minors into the Juvenile and to restrict further entry of minors into the Juvenile Justice System Justice System

Services offered for Services offered for juvenile offenders juvenile offenders serving a custodial serving a custodial

commitment commitment

Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse Program Program

The Substance Abuse Program is run as a therapeutic The Substance Abuse Program is run as a therapeutic community. This means that minors themselves are community. This means that minors themselves are responsible for holding each other accountable, and responsible for holding each other accountable, and helping each other in treatment.helping each other in treatment.

This is a 180 day program open to males and females.This is a 180 day program open to males and females. Individual counseling is on an as-needed basis, at a Individual counseling is on an as-needed basis, at a

minimum 1 time per week for both substance abuse and minimum 1 time per week for both substance abuse and mental health.mental health.

Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse ProgramProgram

Recreational Therapy: This provides Recreational Therapy: This provides minors with an opportunity to learn minors with an opportunity to learn sober activities that can be substituted sober activities that can be substituted for drug use, to alleviate mental health for drug use, to alleviate mental health symptoms, and improve overall health. symptoms, and improve overall health. The Focus teaches minors to utilize The Focus teaches minors to utilize time in a constructive and positive way time in a constructive and positive way

Process groups: Will address issues of Process groups: Will address issues of personal responsibilities with personal responsibilities with activities such as journals, daily self-activities such as journals, daily self-responsibility, behavior in the unit, and responsibility, behavior in the unit, and progress toward goals. This group also progress toward goals. This group also will deal with evaluations, level will deal with evaluations, level advancement, and disciplinary actions. advancement, and disciplinary actions. Group size is a maximum of 10 clients. Group size is a maximum of 10 clients.

Life Skills: Focuses on teaching minors Life Skills: Focuses on teaching minors skills needed to survive on the "outs" skills needed to survive on the "outs" such as balancing check books, job such as balancing check books, job hunting, interview skills, resume writing, hunting, interview skills, resume writing, and applying for schools, colleges, etc. and applying for schools, colleges, etc.

Community groups: Provide opportunities Community groups: Provide opportunities for youth to have an active voice in the for youth to have an active voice in the treatment community. They can discuss treatment community. They can discuss concerns or make suggestions during the concerns or make suggestions during the Community Meeting, which includes Community Meeting, which includes everyone in the unit. Youth are everyone in the unit. Youth are encouraged to confront and address peer encouraged to confront and address peer behaviors that are not supportive of the behaviors that are not supportive of the community or healthy living. Clients can community or healthy living. Clients can address these matters as a group, with address these matters as a group, with staff oversight. Participants come staff oversight. Participants come together to resolve shared problems, together to resolve shared problems, plan activities, give and receive feedback plan activities, give and receive feedback to shape pro-social behavior, and share to shape pro-social behavior, and share successes and failures.successes and failures.

Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse ProgramProgram

Psycho-educational Groups: Family group Psycho-educational Groups: Family group counseling is provided weekly in a multi-counseling is provided weekly in a multi-family group setting. During the initial phase family group setting. During the initial phase of the program, members will be informed of the program, members will be informed of the family support group and invited to of the family support group and invited to participate. Any family member can speak participate. Any family member can speak with the substance abuse specialist at any with the substance abuse specialist at any time. Group size will vary according to time. Group size will vary according to parental attendance and type of family parental attendance and type of family group. Family awareness (topic groups) are group. Family awareness (topic groups) are for parents only. for parents only.

Family Groups: Focuses on prevention Family Groups: Focuses on prevention topics discussed above and allows families topics discussed above and allows families to share experiences with other families. to share experiences with other families. Many families identify a fear of talking about Many families identify a fear of talking about "family secrets." Some "secrets" include "family secrets." Some "secrets" include other members using drugs, violence in the other members using drugs, violence in the home, financial struggles, judicial problems, home, financial struggles, judicial problems, and fears of losing their children. The group and fears of losing their children. The group is designed to allow members to speak is designed to allow members to speak freely, and fosters mutual identification of freely, and fosters mutual identification of possible solutions to common problems. possible solutions to common problems. Many issues, such a domestic Many issues, such a domestic violence/incest are referred for further violence/incest are referred for further assistance to appropriate resources. assistance to appropriate resources.

Gender Groups: Gender-specific Gender Groups: Gender-specific treatment for both male and female treatment for both male and female minors with certified counselors minors with certified counselors focusing on unique gender treatment focusing on unique gender treatment needs and issues such as sexuality, needs and issues such as sexuality, male/female roles, identity issues, male/female roles, identity issues, cultural gender expectations, health cultural gender expectations, health issues specific to genders, etc. "Voices" issues specific to genders, etc. "Voices" by Stephanie Covington is the girls' by Stephanie Covington is the girls' gender-specific curriculum, and gender-specific curriculum, and Hazelton's "Young Men's Lives" is in Hazelton's "Young Men's Lives" is in the process of being implemented for the process of being implemented for the boys gender-responsive group. the boys gender-responsive group.

Anger management: Focuses on Anger management: Focuses on recognizing anger and its relationships recognizing anger and its relationships to criminal and drug using behavior, to criminal and drug using behavior, teaches minors to recognize types of teaches minors to recognize types of anger, recognize triggers specific to anger, recognize triggers specific to each individual, as well as coping skills each individual, as well as coping skills

Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse ProgramProgram

Gender Groups: Gender-specific Gender Groups: Gender-specific treatment for both male and female treatment for both male and female minors with certified counselors minors with certified counselors focusing on unique gender treatment focusing on unique gender treatment needs and issues such as sexuality, needs and issues such as sexuality, male/female roles, identity issues, male/female roles, identity issues, cultural gender expectations, health cultural gender expectations, health issues specific to genders, etc. "Voices" issues specific to genders, etc. "Voices" by Stephanie Covington is the girls' by Stephanie Covington is the girls' gender-specific curriculum, and gender-specific curriculum, and Hazelton's "Young Men's Lives" is in Hazelton's "Young Men's Lives" is in the process of being implemented for the process of being implemented for the boys gender-responsive group. the boys gender-responsive group.

Anger management: Focuses on Anger management: Focuses on recognizing anger and its relationships recognizing anger and its relationships to criminal and drug using behavior, to criminal and drug using behavior, teaches minors to recognize types of teaches minors to recognize types of anger, recognize triggers specific to anger, recognize triggers specific to each individual, as well as coping skills each individual, as well as coping skills

Psycho Education: Focus is to Psycho Education: Focus is to educate minors on drugs use, educate minors on drugs use, relationship issues, family relationship issues, family dynamics and topics that might or dynamics and topics that might or might not be covered in other might not be covered in other groups. The group's format is groups. The group's format is more instructional although more instructional although minor's participation is always minor's participation is always encouraged. encouraged.

Art therapy: These groups are Art therapy: These groups are used to help minors find different used to help minors find different ways of expressing themselves ways of expressing themselves through different means. Various through different means. Various avenues of art are utilized to avenues of art are utilized to facilitate growth, self awareness, facilitate growth, self awareness, and understanding.and understanding.

New Horizons Program New Horizons Program The mission of the Juvenile Justice Campus New Horizons Program The mission of the Juvenile Justice Campus New Horizons Program

is to provide a therapeutic community model to juvenile is to provide a therapeutic community model to juvenile offenders. All disciplines (teachers, probation officers, group offenders. All disciplines (teachers, probation officers, group counselors, substance abuse counselors, mental health clinicians, counselors, substance abuse counselors, mental health clinicians, family support partners, and families) work together for a common family support partners, and families) work together for a common goal - the positive growth and development of adolescents. It goal - the positive growth and development of adolescents. It also holds offenders accountable for their criminal behavior and also holds offenders accountable for their criminal behavior and prepares them for community re-integration.prepares them for community re-integration.

This program is an all male, year long commitment.This program is an all male, year long commitment.

Boys & Girls ClubBoys & Girls Club This service provides pre-release and post-release services for youth This service provides pre-release and post-release services for youth

at the Juvenile Justice Campus (JJC) including social and life skill at the Juvenile Justice Campus (JJC) including social and life skill building, vocational and career development and psycho-educational building, vocational and career development and psycho-educational programming. This includes character development, leadership, and programming. This includes character development, leadership, and recreational opportunities. A Boys & Girls Club has been established recreational opportunities. A Boys & Girls Club has been established on the campus of the JJC for after-school programs and activities on the campus of the JJC for after-school programs and activities

This Pilot Program also provides for critical "Post-Release" services This Pilot Program also provides for critical "Post-Release" services that target re-entry services for a minimum of 20 youth who that target re-entry services for a minimum of 20 youth who participated in the Boys & Girls Club at the JJC for transition back participated in the Boys & Girls Club at the JJC for transition back

into the communityinto the community. .

Boys & Girls ClubBoys & Girls Club During the re-entry process from JJC into the community During the re-entry process from JJC into the community

these 20 youth will be transitioned to a designated Boys these 20 youth will be transitioned to a designated Boys & Girls Club near their residence. They will continue their & Girls Club near their residence. They will continue their relationships with case management and supervision relationships with case management and supervision towards a successful transition back into the community. towards a successful transition back into the community. Each youth will receive services for a minimum of 9 Each youth will receive services for a minimum of 9 months and no longer than one year. Pre-release months and no longer than one year. Pre-release services will be initiated a minimum of 90 days prior to services will be initiated a minimum of 90 days prior to discharge.discharge.

Boys & Girls ClubBoys & Girls Club Minors to participate must be role models in the pod, an Minors to participate must be role models in the pod, an

be involved in one of the following:be involved in one of the following: Thinking for a Change The "Thinking for a Change" Thinking for a Change The "Thinking for a Change"

curriculum uses, a problem-solving program enhanced curriculum uses, a problem-solving program enhanced by both cognitive restructuring and social skills by both cognitive restructuring and social skills interventions. The Thinking for a Change curriculum is interventions. The Thinking for a Change curriculum is provided to minors by officers within the JJC in all Pods, provided to minors by officers within the JJC in all Pods, three times per week. three times per week.

Faith based Services volunteers provide religious Faith based Services volunteers provide religious services and guidance to minors within the JJC, including services and guidance to minors within the JJC, including special presentations. special presentations.

Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Provides Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Provides minors with drug and alcohol counseling/assistance and minors with drug and alcohol counseling/assistance and provides support to minors that have with family provides support to minors that have with family members with a history of drug and alcohol abusemembers with a history of drug and alcohol abuse