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- Overview
- Risk Assessment & Strength Based Case Management
- Consolidated Juvenile Services (CJS)
- Special Sex Offender Disposition Alternative (SSODA)
- Chemical Dependency Disposition Alternative (CDDA)
- Connections
Overview
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Probation counselor checking in with a youth |
Contact: John Shoemaker, (360) 397-2201 ext. 4041
Community Supervision (Probation) Programs and services are designed to meet the needs of victims, community and offenders with an emphasis on community safety, accountability and competency development.
Youth are referred to one of a number of programs based on the type of offense, level of risk, needs and supervision requirements. The youth targeted for community supervision typically have committed felonies or have committed a new offense. Community supervision allows these youth to remain in the community rather than being incarcerated in state facilities.
Services Provided by Probation Counselors
Youth are assigned to probation counselors who provide or obtain the appropriate services. These services include:
- Developing and implementing case plans
- Monitoring court ordered conditions
- Providing services to victims Restitution Brochure
- Community resources referral
- Responding to violations of court orders,
- Counseling, assessments and evaluations
- Other related services
Probation programs are designed to provide supervision and intervention to targeted populations. The level of service is determined by risks, strengths and needs as identified by an extensive Risk Assessment and other evaluations or assessments that may be appropriate for a particular youth.
Risk Assessment & Strength Based Case Management
Contact: John Shoemaker, (360) 397-2201 ext. 4041
Risk Assessment & Strength Based Case Management is a new approach for assessing and managing juvenile offenders. This approach, when combined with Balanced and Restorative Justice principles, places Clark County Juvenile Court in the forefront of a new perspective of understanding how the justice system can best serve offenders while meeting the needs of victims and the community.
We believe there is significant research that supports such an approach in working with juvenile offenders. This balanced response starts with a comprehensive assessment of the "risk factors" that increase the likelihood of a youth re-offending, and the "protective factors", or strengths, that increase the youth's likelihood of success in living a crime free life. Existing research affirms the importance of the restorative principle of offenders taking an active role in being accountable for their offenses.
Strength-based case management actively engages the youth in setting goals to address their risk factors and their protective factors, knowing that this personal involvement greatly increases the chances of success. In this approach the probation counselor takes on the critical role of supporting the youth to move forward to successful change. In Balanced and Restorative Justice terms, this approach to case management focuses on offender accountability by having the offender take responsibility to make changes that will increase community safety and health. The specific changes to be addressed often are consistent with the issues victims want addressed.
Strengthening protective factors in the youth is the equivalent of building the competencies that will enable the youth to be a positive, contributing member of the community.
Consolidated Juvenile Services (CJS)
Contact: John Shoemaker, (360) 397-2201 ext. 4041
Youth targeted for community supervision (often referred to as probation) in the Consolidated Juvenile Services Unit (CJS) typically have committed felonies or have committed a new offense. Youth who have been assessed as being safe and appropriate for community supervision are allowed to remain in the community, rather than being incarcerated in state facilities.
Youth are assigned to probation counselors that provide or obtain the appropriate services and resources. These include:
- Providing services to victims
- Developing and implementing case plans that address risk factors and build on protective factors
- Monitoring court ordered conditions
- Making community resource referrals
- Responding to violations of court orders
- Providing counseling
- Facilitating assessments and evaluations
- Other related services
Special Sex Offender Disposition Alternative (SSODA)
Contact: John Shoemaker, (360) 397-2201 ext. 4041
SSODA is a community supervision (probation) program for the intensive supervision of juveniles who are convicted of a sex offense. These offenders have been assessed as individuals who are safe to remain in the community while undergoing sanctions and treatment for their offenses. Offenders are to make amends for the harms done to victims, their families and the community.
Clark County Juvenile Court's SSODA Unit has a remarkable success rate of working with these juvenile offenders. Over 95% of these youth successfully complete the conditions of their court sentence. These requirements include:
- All conditions of the offender's court order
- Registering as a sex offender
- Weekly meetings with the probation counselor
- Weekly sessions with the sex offender therapist
- Restricting contacts to community members deemed appropriate
- Being under informed adult supervision as required
The SSODA probation counselor works with the offender's family, school and community contacts to ensure the safety of the community and the effective treatment of the offender.
Chemical Dependency Disposition Alternative (CDDA)
Contact: John Shoemaker, (360) 397-2201 ext. 4041
This sentencing option was created by the legislature to provide services to youth that have chemical abuse and or dependency problems.
Youth receive evaluation and assessment prior to being sentenced and entering the program. While participating in the program youth receive intensive outpatient or inpatient treatment, as appropriate. Treatment is provided at the Clark County Juvenile Justice Center so that youth can receive treatment while in detention and continue in treatment once they are released.
In addition to treatment they are assigned to a probation counselor who provides both community supervision and intensive case management services. Emphasis is on making amends to victims and community, keeping youth in school, resolving family problems, encouraging positive peer associations, supporting compliance with court ordered conditions and reducing risk of recidivism. The treatment provider and probation counselor coordinate services to support youths' sobriety and increase competencies.
Connections
Contact: Eric Gilman, (360) 397-2201 ext. 4500
Endorsed and supported by the Superior Court Judges and the Board of County Commissioners, the Juvenile Court in partnership with the mental health community developed a strength-based, family centered program that significantly increases services to juvenile offenders with behavioral health issues.
Balanced and Restorative Justice principles and values are incorporated in the program design to increase youth competencies, provide services to victims and to increase public safety. Families, especially parents, are seen as full partners in developing, delivering and implementing interventions in a wraparound process to ensure that services respond to the real needs and concerns of youth and families.
Probation counselors, juvenile services associates, care coordinators/mental health therapists, and family assistance specialists staff this unit.
