In Daily Democrat by Robyn Dobson

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors highlighted the probation department by declaring July 16-22, 2023 as Probation Services Week.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Supervisor Oscar Villegas presented the resolution to Yolo County Chief Probation Officer Dan Fruchtenicht after speaking to the important role the department plays in the community.

“The probation department serves as the key conduit between the county services system and our residents to make sure that those that are in need of support in whatever way necessary after they’ve been adjudicated figure out what it is they need to be successful so they don’t recidivate and end up back in our criminal justice system,” Villegas said.

According to a press release from the county, the probation department maximizes the resources available within the courts, local governments, law enforcement, social services, behavioral health, schools, crime survivor organizations, non-profit organizations and the community. Probation officers are trained experts, helping justice-involved individuals manage trauma while safely supervising them and connecting them to these services to set them up for success.

“The men and women of the Yolo County Probation Department are committed to our mission of fostering behavioral change to ensure public safety, with the vision of improved lives and safe communities,” Fruchtenicht said in the press release. 

“With a holistic approach that emphasizes support, guidance and supervision, the department is successfully transforming lives and creating a safer community for all.”

Accompanying Fruchtenicht at the meeting were five of the probation department’s “Goat” award winners. According to Fruchtenicht, the employee engagement team created the award about a year ago. Employees are recognized and voted upon by their peers for their work, attitude, talent and dedication to the department’s mission.

“There is a huge amount of pressure that is place on our probation department to help keep our community safe and as we hear on the news day in and day out about the things that are happening in our region, we know that you guys are out doing the great work that Yolo County expects and so thank you for rising to the occasion,” Villegas concluded.