From the Holtville Tribune.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – December 7, 2023 –  Outstanding California probation leaders — including Imperial County’s own Maribel Carvajal — were recognized for their community contributions with awards from the Chief Probation Officers of California. 

Awardees were celebrated at an event in Sacramento on Thursday, Dec. 7 for their work and dedication to transforming adults and youths seeking healthy, productive lives outside the justice system, according to a Chief Probation Officers of California press release.

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Additionally, each year, the five CPOC regions throughout California submit their selection for Regional Employee of the Year. This is where Imperial County’s Carvajal was included. The CPOC Awards Committee then chooses one probation employee with the most significant contributions that year. 

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Imperial County’s Carvajal is the South Region’s Regional Employee of the Year, representing the Imperial County Probation Department. Deputy probation officer III, she is the lead probation officer for the department’s Secure Track Program. 

Carvajal has played a vital role in reaching critical milestones throughout the Secure Track Program’s existence, and she remains committed to the advancement of the program by introducing creative ideas to further program development. 

Additionally, Officer Carvajal established a multitude of service offerings for the Secure Track youths, including mental health services, substance use disorder services, educational services, pet therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, parenting classes, mentoring services, anger replacement treatment, religious offerings, cultural offerings, independent living skills, recreational programming, and art programming. 

Officer Carvajal has collaborated with Imperial Valley College to ensure all Secure Track youths meet educational goals. Most recently, she was responsible for allowing one of her youths to attend in-person classes at IVC. Officer Carvajal has established multiple relationships with community partners to enable Secure Track youths to gain work experience.

Officer Carvajal’s accomplishments and accolades speak volumes. If you talk with any of her Secure Track youths, they will undoubtedly mention her unwavering efforts to provide them with opportunities for their development, her advocacy efforts, and how much she enjoys celebrating their accomplishments.

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Read the full article here.