From The Appeal-Democrat.

YUBA COUNTY, Calif. – March 18, 2025 –  The Yuba County Probation Department commemorated the achievements of 11 graduates from the department’s outpatient treatment program, For Our Recovery Families (F.O.R. Families). Six individuals also earned their high school diplomas at Friday’s  event, and one of those high school diploma recipients also graduated from F.O.R. Families at the same ceremony. 

“Welcome to the Yuba County Probation T.E.A.M. Center graduation,” Rebecca Ramirez with the Yuba County Probation Department said. “It’s wonderful to have you all here today to celebrate this milestone. We are grateful to continue our partnership with the Yuba County Office of Education (YCOE) who provide our high school diploma program. Thank you for your continued support. 

“The T.E.A.M. Center provides various programs to help our clients develop the skills needed for success, and typically any recommended or court-ordered program.” 

She explained that the Yuba County Probation Department F.O.R. Families program is an intensive outpatient treatment program that includes treatment readiness, group and individual therapy, and aftercare. Clients could be in this program anywhere from three to six months, depending on their individual need.  

“Today, we are here to celebrate the achievements, hard work and determination of all our graduates,” Ramirez said. “Each of you have faced challenges, overcome obstacles and shown an unwavering commitment to your goals. Today, we are recognizing all of you guys.” 

Substance Abuse Counselor Da Har was one of the other speakers, and he encouraged the graduates to really savor the moment. 

“You’re deserving of this, like what the young people say, ‘I’m giving you your flowers today,’” he said. “This is not a small thing that you’re accomplishing. It’s a tremendous accomplishment. You all should be proud. Family, friends, providers, all of you guys play a big role in the success of our graduates…” 

He encouraged the graduates to give back what they have learned, as that helps with sobriety. 

One by one, the F.O.R. Families graduates received personal words of recognition from either Har or another substance abuse counselor, Michael Kouhestani. The graduates also shared their own words of appreciation. 

Following that, the event transitioned to the high school diploma graduates with the help of YCOE’s Rob Gregor. 

“We get to partner with probation, and one of the great things we get to do is help you get your diplomas,” Gregor said.

“And so with that, there’s more to life than just diplomas and letters and things that go before it. Sometimes, in education, we use a lot of different acronyms. … But what I tell people is, ‘You need to learn what your W-H-Y is.’ What is your why? Why are you on this Earth? What is your purpose?” 

Gregor said that when you find your purpose, you’ll find your why. 

“For some of you, you find out that that’s your family, your kids, your grandkids,” Gregor said. “For some of you, it’s your faith. Some of you, you’ll find a person. They might become your spouse. It could be your children. Whatever you do, find your why, and then you can find your purpose because your purpose will give you the drive to finish what you start.” 

A lot of people fail. 

“There’s not a single one of us in this room that’s never failed,” Gregor said. “But what brings success is that you’re not willing to stay in your failures – so all of you are successful today – you have graduated, and you are moving on.” 

One F.O.R. Families graduate, Robin Elliott, said she has been clean for almost nine months.

“Everything has changed for the better,” Elliott said. “I didn’t care if I lived or died before.” Now, she said she is in her kids’ lives. 

… Elliott reflected that she has taken classes that go in-depth. “Not just with feelings and emotions, but your reactions and other people’s reactions to things that happen in your childhood and as an adult,” she said. Currently, Elliott volunteers a meaningful amount and she has a job. 

“Probation is here to help the community and our clients, and we want to see everybody succeed,” said Stephanie Biehle, program manager of the adult division. 

Twelve F.O.R. Families program graduates were listed in the event’s program. Six high school diploma recipients were listed in the event’s program.

Read the full article here.