“The vision of Juvenile Field Services is to build a safer community by strengthening youth, families, and young adults and promoting their well-being. We value collaboration, trauma informed care and best practices, data driven decision-making, and the power of voice and choice." ~ Shaunda Cruz, Chief Deputy
Juvenile Field Services is responsible for the supervision of youth under the Juvenile Court's jurisdiction. The youth are given a risk and needs assessment to determine the risk of reoffending as well as to identify strengths and service needs. Individualized case plans are jointly created with the youth and family. Youth are then referred to an array of targeted community based interventions and resources which may include: individual, group and family counseling (cognitive in nature and trauma focused); life skills; 24/7 crisis response; family and youth advocacy; transportation; education and vocational opportunities; and specialty services for Transition Age Youth (TAY). Probation Officers provide supportive case management in the community, teaming with local service providers with the goal of keeping youth and families together and maintaining safer communities.
The Home Supervision/Electronic Monitoring unit provides alternatives to detention and is utilized by the Court and the Probation Department.
Roadmap for Success-Candidacy Assessment, Programming, and Reentry Team
The first step in the Juvenile Field supervision assignment process is screening and assessment through a structured interview to engage and motivate the youth and family. Officers meet with youth subject to a WIC §602 petition to determine reasonable candidacy (imminent risk of removal into foster care as defined by CaDSS Title IV-E guidelines) and update their risk-and-needs assessment, in collaboration with the youth's family/legal guardian, to determine their risk to recidivate and to identify strengths and areas of need. The assessment results drive the dynamic and individualized case planning process with an emphasis on criminogenic risk and protective factors. Through this guided process, evidence-based programs within the community are discussed and explored with the youth and family. Referrals to community-based providers are made on-site and connection to service is timely. Supervision and support are provided by case managing officers who further collaborate with service providers, youth, families, and natural supports.
Reentry Development for Youth
The target population for Reentry Development for Youth (R.E.D.Y-GO!) is comprised of youth returning to our community as a result of an episode in detention or placement. Best practices recognize that reentry planning and services begin at the time of admission to detention and continue beyond the youth's release and reintegration into the community. This reentry continuum consists of three overlapping phases: 1) in the facility, 2) the transition out of the facility and into the community, and 3) in the community. Sacramento County's reentry process utilizes collaborative teaming to assess strengths and needs, develop transition and case plans, and make connections to services, education, housing and employment prior to release from custody.
The R.E.D.Y-GO! program provides intentional coordination for community transition and stabilization prior to release through a comprehensive assessment based on strength and need, the development of an individualized case plan, referrals to community-based services and family engagement. Through a collaborative teaming process with representatives from Probation, BHS, Primary Health, SCOE, service providers and most importantly, the youth and family, a transition plan is developed. Prior to community reentry, connections to services related to treatment, education, housing, employment/vocational opportunities and positive youth development are made. The collaborative process and plan implementation continue as case managing officers provide supervision and support within the community.
Community-Based Supervision
The Community-Based Supervision Unit (CBSU) case assignment is based on the school districts where youth on probation attend school. The CBSU is designed to give officers increased access to youth during the school day which provides a better opportunity to supervise and support them in the community.
Juvenile Field officers supervise both community and “office" cases, which allows youth to be moved between the two caseload types based upon their assessed needs. This approach increases supervision efficiency, education and advocacy, and promotes healthy relationships between youth and officers. Through a fluid case planning process that often includes Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, officers work with youth, families and community-based providers to ensure service needs are met.
Impact Services Unit
Probation officers in the Impact Services Unit provide enhanced case management services to youth on probation who are experiencing mental health disorders and sexual exploitation. Through collaborative partnerships across systems, higher risk youth and families are supported through a teaming process, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and/or CFT meetings, which may occur in a mental health full service partnership program or through Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) specific programming as described in detail below. Youth and families are referred to community-based programs to support their varying needs which may include family based services, psychiatric services, cognitive based individual or group therapy, trauma related curriculums, youth advocates, life skills and/or educational/vocational training opportunities. Officers in this unit receive specific training in order to support the complex needs of the youth and their families.
Commercially Sexually Exploited Children
Since 2014, the California Legislature has invested in the child welfare system's capacity to identify and serve CSEC, while simultaneously shifting away from criminalization. Sacramento County has utilized a multi-layered set of strategies to strengthen the ability of front line staff and employees to engage serve and support CSEC and their families. Sacramento County's CSEC Steering Committee, led by the Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS), includes representatives from probation, Juvenile Court, education, law enforcement, the Public Defender, the District Attorney, Public Health, BHS and community-based organizations that serve CSEC. The Juvenile Court dedicated a docket to CSEC youth that includes support from two Juvenile Field officers and one Juvenile Court presenter.
The West Coast Screening Assessment Tool is conducted on every youth booked into the YDF in order to identify youth believed to be CSEC. If necessary, the CSEC Field Unit conducts the assessment for youth in the community. CSSEC youth are placed on the caseloads of specially trained probation officers which includes human trafficking, victimization and pimping, intervention strategies, harm reduction, trauma informed case, and services specific to CSEC. The officers meet with CSEC youth to discuss their current situation and make recommendations to the Court. Additionally, probation officers participate in Child and Family Teaming meetings (CFT) and Multi-Disciplinary Teaming meetings (MDT) with attorneys, DCFAS, UC Davis counselors, youth advocates and other providers connected to these cases.
Juvenile Justice Diversion and Treatment Program
The Juvenile Justice Diversion and Treatment Program (JJDTP) is a Full Service Partnership (FSP) of the Mental Health Services Act. The program is contracted FSP between BHS, Probation and River Oak Center for Children and was established to deliver integrated services to a population of youth involved with juvenile justice that have multiple complex needs cutting across service areas. To be eligible, youth must meet serious emotional disturbance criteria and be between the ages of 13-19 at the time of enrollment. Through the JJDTP, eligible youth and their families are provided with mental health screenings, assessments, intensive mental health services and FSP supports. Family and youth advocates complement clinical services. Eligible youth referred to the program are provided the opportunity to voluntarily receive intensive, evidence-based services delivered in coordination with a specialized probation officer. Youth referred to the program can voluntarily participate as long as clinically necessary or up to their 26th birthday. Program outcomes for youth include reduced psychiatric hospitalization, increased engagement in educational programs as well as reduced arrests and incarcerations.
JJDTP seeks to achieve the following five goals:
5. Reduce juvenile detention and/or young adult incarceration.
Age of Majority Unit
Age
of Majority Unit (AOM) is a specialized field unit providing case management
services and support to youth people ages 18-21 under the jurisdiction of the
Juvenile Court. The target population includes youth adults who are not
currently enrolled in High School or have already obtained their diploma. These
young adults receive a Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI)
assessment and case planning that includes referrals to services to meet
identified needs. Referrals are focused on specialized treatment, education,
vocational training, and other supports as needed, such as food and emergency
housing. The goal of the AOM is to provide clients with assessment, treatment,
supervision, and support necessary to promote rehabilitation and to prevent
re-offending, resulting in a safer community.
Juveniles Who Sexually Offend (JSO) and Arson Unit
Youth adjudicated for a violation of Penal Code §288, arson, or a reasonably related offense are placed on a specialized caseload. This caseload is managed by the JSO and Arson Unit in collaboration with treatment providers (when applicable) and the parent/legal guardian(s).
Sexually abusive justice-involved youth participate in outpatient treatment designed to reduce the likelihood of re-offense and promote prosocial development. These youth are provided multiple assessments to inform individualized treatment plans, treatment progress and timing of termination services. The treatment plans generally combine individual and group treatment sessions, relapse prevention strategies and family counseling to support successful program completion. Consistent with best practices, probation officers work in collaboration with treatment providers and families and maintain weekly contact to monitor each juvenile's progress, ensure their needs are being met and ensure they are in compliance with the terms and conditions of their probation.
Valley Oak Youth Academy - V.O.Y.A. (Formerly Division of Juvenile Justice DJJ) Reentry Reentry and Supervision Program
V.O.Y.A Reentry and Supervision Program is a specialized unit for youth returning to the community from V.O.Y.A. At point of commitment, the probation officers and a V.O.Y.A Liaison begin an orientation phase wherein the youth are educated about what to expect at V.O.Y.A, how their program will progress, and the opportunities that lie therein. Three months prior to community re-entry, the assigned officer convenes a re-entry team to begin transition and case planning. The officer meets with the youth at V.O.Y.A and coordinates efforts with the Reentry team to include family if applicable. Upon reentry, the officer provides supervision, services and support to the youth in the areas of treatment, housing and education/vocation opportunities. Youth also meet with an eligibility specialist through partnership with the Probation's Adult Day Reporting Centers.
Black Child Legacy Campaign (BCLC) - Joint County/Community Collaboration
In the spring of 2011, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors received a 20-year report on Sacramento deaths for the period 1990-2009. The report included a consistent finding that African-American children in Sacramento County died at disproportionately higher rates when compared to children of other races. In the fall of 2015, a strategic plan to reduce preventable African-American child deaths related to prenatal conditions, sudden infant death, abuse and neglect and third party homicide was presented by the Black Child Legacy Campaign (BCLC) Steering Committee and approved by the Board of Supervisors. The BCLC Steering Committee's subsequent implementation plan identified six core objectives, based on the principles outlined in the strategic plan. Probation Officers are embedded in the CIL-MDT community sites and collaborate with each incubator site to provide support, supervision and resources to youth participating in BCLC's prevention and intervention efforts.
