News Coverage
California Probation Chiefs Elect New President and Executive Officers for 2024
SACRAMENTO, Calif., December 7, 2023 – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) today announced the election of its 2024 executive officers: President Chief Kelly Vernon (Tulare County), Vice President Chief Steve Jackson (San Joaquin County), and Secretary/Treasurer Chief Esa Ehmen-Krause (Contra Costa County).
County Spotlight: Santa Barbara County Probation Officers – Your County, Your Heroes Feature
By CBSTV20.
Watch this video to learn more about how probation officers in Santa Barbara County work with justice-involved individuals and create safer communities for everyone. The video features DPOs Monica Hernandez and Nelson Maldonado, discussing their service to the community, their clients, and why they are passionate about the work they do.
Collaborative leader helps build stronger community
In Mountain Democrat by Dina Gentry.
El Dorado County Chief Probation Officer Brian Richart’s recent appointment to the Board of State and Community Corrections by the governor validates his commitment to service, community and effective leadership at the local and state level.
New Multi-Sensory Room “The Reef” in San Mateo County Youth Services Center-Juvenile Hall
On November 9th, the San Mateo County Probation Department unveiled “The Reef,” a multisensory de-escalation room for youth in the Youth Services Center-Juvenile Hall. The Reef is a sprawling ocean-reef mural filled with calming deep blues and turquoise all created by youth and staff as part of Probation’s art therapy program.
California Probation Connection Podcast Episode 12 is out now
Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) has released the twelfth episode of their podcast, The California Probation Connection.
In this episode, we delve into the intricate dynamics between incentives and sanctions within the world of probation. More specifically, how do we strike the right balance between the carrot and the stick?
ICYMI: Imperial County Juvenile Hall students utilize art as a form of healing
In KYMA by Jailene Aguilera
Araceli Mangione founded the non-profit organization called Imperial Valley Public Arts to enhance art beautification in the Valley.
Araceli said her goal is to lead a project-by-project-based program that will draw out local artists by offering them opportunities to work closely with the community.
Youth at the Imperial County Juvenile Hall were able to paint about five murals.
Resilient Re-entry and Second Chances
In The Bloom by Lori Armstrong
On this warm October day the Lake County Probation Department, in collaboration with the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, hosted a Resilient Re-entry event born and created to provide beneficial resources and guidance to justice-centered individuals.
Probation Seeks To Eliminate Barriers For The Unhoused, Formerly Incarcerated
In The Observer by Genoa Barrow
In his role as chief probation officer of Placer County, Marshall Hopper frequently gets stopped by people in the community. He often braces himself to hear something negative, as probation officers aren’t typically anyone’s favorite people.
The feedback, however, has been positive, Hopper says, from those being served by his department’s mobile outreach vehicle.
CPOC’s Response to LAO Report “Achieving the Goals of the SB 678 County Probation Grant Program”
We appreciate the acknowledgment seen in the recent LAO report that SB 678 has been a safe and successful reform but requires updates to stabilize funding. We agree funding must be stabilized so California continues to support the efforts made by probation to focus on ways to promote success while on supervision resulting in safer communities.
MEDIA STATEMENT: Signature of AB 505 Undoes Important Juvenile Justice Reforms and Undermines the Delivery of Essential Direct Services to Youth and Young Adults
AB 505 erodes important systemic changes and undermines the delivery of essential direct services to the high-needs youth and young adults recently returned to our communities.
Sacramento, Calif., October 9, 2023 – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) today issued a statement in response to the Governor’s signature on Assembly Bill 505. CPOC President Chief Jennifer Branning issued the following statement:
ICYMI: Governor Newsom appoints EDC Chief Probation Officer Brian Richart to state board
In South Tahoe Now by Paula Peterson
“I am deeply honored to receive this appointment,” said Chief Richart. “I’m looking forward to bringing my unique perspective to the BSCC. I believe my experience in probation and focus on supporting people as they change their lives thereby improving the safety of our communities will be a valuable contribution to the Board and to carceral settings and community corrections throughout California.”
The Connector Newsletter – September 2023
California Probation Creating Safer Communities Through Accountability & Opportunity
In this issue of The Connector, read stories of hope and inspiration of how California Probation is helping create safer communities by focusing on holding justice-involved individuals accountable while helping them transition out of the system permanently through transformative and evidence-based rehabilitation. Probation Departments are a connector in the justice system, interlacing and maximizing the resources available within our systems and communities to reduce recidivism by carefully balancing direct human services and research-based interventions.
ICYMI: Kern County probation program graduates 75 participants
From KGET
Family and other supporters celebrated their graduates after completion of a local reentry program.
A graduation ceremony was hosted for participants who completed the The Kern County Probation Department and GEO Reentry Services “Day Reporting Center” program on Aug. 30
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The graduation ceremony featured plenty of families of graduates celebrating their completion of the program.
The intensive supervision program for individuals on probation is designed to change criminal behavior and reduce recidivism. The program includes regular reporting to the center involved and frequent testing for substance use.
Individuals also complete courses that ready them for job preparation.
ICYMI: Probation Department Expands with Community Outreach Van
From Mariposa Gazette
Mariposa County Probation has added to their services, this time
with a new outreach van.
The Probation Outreach Van was made possible from a 2022 Mobile
Probation Services Grant Program from the California Board of
State Community Corrections.
While it was a competitive grant, meaning Mariposa County was battling with others for the funding, they were one of the 25 departments awarded the funds.
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