Fresno County Fresno County Probation Probation

DepartmentDepartment

Juvenile Division & ServicesJuvenile Division & Services

MissionMission

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

Equal Opportunity Equal Opportunity Fresno County Fresno County

Juvenile Probation is a Juvenile Probation is a public service provider public 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 Fresno County Probation is to Probation is to improve permanency, improve permanency, safety and well being safety and well being of the minors. of the minors.

Placement in out of Placement in out of home care, such as home care, such as group home, relative, group home, relative, non relative and foster non relative and foster care can be required. care can be required. The minors in need of The minors in need of out of home care have out of home care have often experienced often experienced neglect, and abuse. neglect, and abuse. Finding a suitable 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 Fresno County Probation Department, Juvenile

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

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

Employees are required to attend trainings such Employees are required to attend trainings such as Disproportionate Minority Contact training as Disproportionate Minority Contact training (DMC) which equips them with the tools to (DMC) which equips them with the tools to improve life opportunities for youth, families, and improve life opportunities for youth, families, and minorities. 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 minors removed from the custody of their parents by Juvenile Court of their parents by Juvenile Court order.  Based on individual level of order.  Based on individual level of care needed, minors are placed in care needed, minors are placed in group homes, foster homes or group homes, foster homes or other appropriate out-of-home other appropriate out-of-home placements.  Some wards are placements.  Some wards are returned to the custody of the returned to the custody of the parents after successful parents after successful intervention but, if there is no intervention but, if there is no parent available for return, a plan parent available for return, a plan for emancipation is developed. All for emancipation is developed. All wards are supervised in placement wards are supervised in placement by assigned Deputy Probation by assigned Deputy Probation Officers, and are seen on a Officers, and are seen on a monthly basis. This unit also monthly basis. This unit also operates a pre-placement operates a pre-placement supervision program (sometimes in supervision program (sometimes in conjunction with Electronic conjunction with Electronic Monitoring) in an effort to Monitoring) in an effort to strengthen/stabilize the ward's strengthen/stabilize the ward's home environment to negate the home environment to negate the need for out-of-home placementneed for out-of-home placement..

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

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

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

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

Court Services Court Services

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

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

treatment program; multi-disciplinary in nature; and treatment program; multi-disciplinary in nature; and located at the Violet Heintz Educational Academy in the located at the Violet Heintz Educational Academy in the City of Fresno.  D.R.C. is an alternative to incarceration; City of Fresno.  D.R.C. is an alternative to incarceration; however, does incorporate an initial 30 days on the however, does incorporate an initial 30 days on the Electronic Monitoring Program.  The program employs three Electronic Monitoring Program.  The program employs three Deputy Probation Officers and one Juvenile Correctional Deputy Probation Officers and one Juvenile Correctional Officer.  Components of the Day Reporting Center program Officer.  Components of the Day Reporting Center program include the following: include 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 Mental Health Services and Case Management (approximately 2 hours per week). (approximately 2 hours per week).

Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (approximately Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (approximately 2 hours per week). 2 hours 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 Minors, male and female, aged 14-18

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

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

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

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

Explorers (Boy Scouts): Specializing in video Explorers (Boy Scouts): Specializing in video production. production.

Organized Sports Teams: Minors play against Organized Sports Teams: Minors play against other alternative education campuses. other alternative education campuses.

Field Trips Field Trips Guest Speakers Guest Speakers

Field Supervision Services Field Supervision Services

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

Campus Supervision Campus Supervision ServiceService

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

Services offered Services offered for juvenile for juvenile

offenders serving a offenders serving a custodial custodial

commitment commitment

Floyd Farrow Substance Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse Program Abuse Program

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

This is a 180 day program open to males and This is a 180 day program open to males and females.females.

Individual counseling is on an as-needed basis, at Individual counseling is on an as-needed basis, at a minimum 1 time per week for both substance a minimum 1 time per week for both substance abuse and mental health.abuse and mental health.

Floyd Farrow Substance Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse ProgramAbuse Program

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

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

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

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

Floyd Farrow Substance Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse ProgramAbuse Program

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

Family Groups: Focuses on prevention Family Groups: Focuses on prevention topics discussed above and allows topics discussed above and allows families to share experiences with other families to share experiences with other families. Many families identify a fear of families. Many families identify a fear of talking about "family secrets." Some talking about "family secrets." Some "secrets" include other members using "secrets" include other members using drugs, violence in the home, financial drugs, violence in the home, financial struggles, judicial problems, and fears of struggles, judicial problems, and fears of losing their children. The group is losing their children. The group is designed to allow members to speak designed to allow members to speak freely, and fosters mutual identification freely, and fosters mutual identification of possible solutions to common of possible solutions to common problems. Many issues, such a domestic problems. 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 treatment for both male and female minors with certified female minors with certified counselors focusing on unique counselors focusing on unique gender treatment needs gender treatment needs and issues such as sexuality, and issues such as sexuality, male/female roles, identity issues, male/female roles, identity issues, cultural gender expectations, cultural gender expectations, health issues specific to genders, health issues specific to genders, etc. "Voices" by Stephanie etc. "Voices" by Stephanie Covington is the girls' gender-Covington is the girls' gender-specific curriculum, and specific curriculum, and Hazelton's "Young Men's Lives" is Hazelton's "Young Men's Lives" is in the process of being in the process of being implemented for the boys gender-implemented for the boys gender-responsive group. responsive group.

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

Floyd Farrow Substance Floyd Farrow Substance Abuse ProgramAbuse Program

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

Anger management: Focuses on Anger management: Focuses on recognizing anger and its recognizing anger and its relationships to criminal and drug relationships to criminal and drug using behavior, teaches minors to using behavior, teaches minors to recognize types of anger, recognize types of anger, recognize triggers specific to each recognize triggers specific to each individual, as well as coping skills 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 dynamics and topics that might or might not be covered might or might not be covered in other groups. The group's in other groups. The group's format is more instructional format is more instructional although minor's participation although minor's participation is always encouraged. is always encouraged.

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

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

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

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

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

for transition back into the communityfor transition back into the community. .

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

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

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

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

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

Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Provides Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Provides minors with drug and alcohol counseling/assistance minors with drug and alcohol counseling/assistance and provides support to minors that have with family and 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