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Youth In Probation
- We Are Teens Always Helping
- Citation Hearing
- Informal Probation
- Formal Probation
- Juvenile Drug Court
- Enhanced Services to the Juvenile Detention Facility
- Wrap-Around
- Intensive Supervision Caseload
- Pathways iCare Alternative Education Program
- Placement
The We Are Teens Always Helping (WATAH) group is a diversion program made up of boys and girls, ages 12 to 17 experiencing challenges following the rules at home, in school and/or in the community.
The group meets twice weekly in Roseville and is collaboratively facilitated by Probation Officers and Clients Services Counselors. The program provides youth counseling and educational opportunities focused on motivating positive behavioral changes while reinforcing both personal and community responsibility.
Minors that commit lower level criminal offenses and meet specific criteria for informal handling will be scheduled for a Citation Hearing with a Probation Officer.
Common dispositions include:
- Closing a case at the hearing with a warning
- Community service
- Completion of an education or counseling program
- Informal probation
Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions code section 654, youth that commit lower level criminal offenses and meet certain criteria may receive a period of Informal Probation supervision to include appropriate counseling or education to address and adjust negative behavior(s).
The period of informal supervision is not to exceed 6 months though may be extended if deemed necessary and petition can be filed with the Court as a result of a youth’s failure to comply with the terms and conditions of their informal grant of probation.
The Juvenile Field Services Division is responsible to monitor juvenile offenders placed on formal probation in the community. All juveniles placed on probation receive a risk/needs assessment to determine the type and level of service needed.
Youth are then placed on a level of supervision based upon their risk assessment score. Supervision can also include electronic monitoring. The Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) is most often used for juveniles pending disposition or as an alternative to custody for increased accountability.
This is a specialized supervision and drug treatment program. Youth are on formal probation and attend intensive weekly counseling and supervision. There is a strong family component to the program.
The Juvenile Court Commissioner meets with these youth, families, and service staff at least monthly to review and acknowledge positive program progress and address consequences as needed.
Through Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) funding a full-time social work practitioner was transferred to the juvenile detention facility to provide mental health screenings, crisis intervention, and group treatment to youth housed in the detention facility. Other services are provided through contract with public and private agencies. These services include anger management, health education, substance abuse education, and conflict resolution and violence prevention.
Wrap-around services refer to a package of unique community services and natural supports that are flexible and tailored to meet the unique needs of children with serious emotional disturbances. Wrap-around services are based on a definable planning process and are designed for children and their families to achieve a positive set of outcomes in the home setting.
Services are provided by multidisciplinary teams that may include the following:
- Case managers
- Community workers
- Family members or caregivers
- Nurses
- Psychiatrists
- Social workers
- Substance abuse specialists
- Vocational specialists
A youth placed on formal probation that continues to experience challenges complying with the terms and conditions of probation and may require support from multiple county services can be placed on an Intensive Services Caseload. The probation contact requirements increase and additional supports are considered in an attempt to motivate positive behavioral change and increase a measure of protection for the community.
The iCare alternative education program is a Charter school located in the city of Rocklin and operated in collaboration with the Placer County Office of education. This program consists of a full school day with an after school component facilitated by both probation and education staff.
The after school program includes:
- Employment skills
- Health education
- Interactive Journaling
- Life skills
- Mediation and conflict resolution
- Mentorship
- Substance abuse prevention
- Teaching Pro-Social Skills
- Violence prevention
This program utilizes evidence based practices to deliver many of these interventions.
When the court determines a youth has problems that cannot be effectively treated within the home such as severe psychological problems, or an extensive history of substance abuse and delinquency, a group home specializing in addressing these issues may be ordered.
Group home placements are generally a minimum of six months. Ranch or camp programs generally provide an increased level of security in a less than home like environment and generally require a stay of six months.