Juvenile Investigation Unit

The Juvenile Investigations Unit Probation Officers prepare social history reports and case plans for the Juvenile Court. They work closely with youth and their families to target significant issues that assist the minor in transitioning out of the juvenile court system. Officers provide detailed dispositional reports that include relevant information on criminal and social histories, substance abuse issues, school progress, as well as analysis and recommendation. Officers refer minors to appropriate community based programs, such as drug/alcohol counseling, family counseling, parent support, and mentoring programs.

Unit Probation Officers also investigate and prepare Detention reports for youthful offenders who are detained at the Juvenile Hall. Assessment and recommendations are made with emphasis placed on public safety and needs of the minor and family. In all cases, the ultimate goal is to reunite the minor and his/her family as soon as possible.

Supervision

There are an average of 412 juveniles on probation at any given time in San Luis Obispo County throughout the year. Deputy Probation Officers assigned to juvenile supervision duties are divided into regional teams that serve the entire County. This year, an office was opened in the City of Atascadero to better meet the needs of the families and communities of the North County. Six deputies and a supervisor are assigned to this location. While the rest of the supervision deputies are currently stationed at the main Juvenile Division office in San Luis Obispo, the department is hoping to further regionalize in the near future with an office in South County.

Supervision deputies are primarily responsible for monitoring the compliance of juvenile offenders with court ordered terms and ensuring that they access to appropriate services. These services are intended to safely maintain the juveniles in their local community. Deputies work with the juveniles and their families to develop case plans with the ultimate goal of helping them transition out of the Juvenile Justice System and become law abiding, productive citizens.

Carrying caseloads of approximately 35 and 45 juveniles, supervision deputies work in a cooperative capacity with a variety of collaborative agencies including law enforcement agencies, school districts, the Departments of Social Services, Mental Health, and Drug and Alcohol Services as well as private service providers. Deputies conduct scheduled and unscheduled visits with juveniles and their families at their homes and schools in an effort to prevent further delinquent or at-risk behavior. Deputies are additionally responsible for assessing the juveniles risk levels and providing appropriate interventions when necessary.

Drug Court

Juvenile Drug Court is a program designed to target juvenile probationers with serious substance abuse issues. The program consists of a therapist from County Drug and Alcohol Services, a program coordinator and one Probation Officer (case manager) from the Probation Department. Caseload sizes are kept small so that intensive counseling and supervision can be provided. Participants attend frequent individual and group therapy sessions, and appear regularly before the Juvenile Court to discuss their progress. This program is often the intervention used to help prevent out-of-home placement. Successful graduates from the program often have their probation cases terminated.

Youth and Family Restoration Program

The Youth and Family Restoration Program is a delinquency intervention program, which includes an in custody phase of 180 days and a 180-day intensive aftercare phase. This program is a collaboration between the Probation Department, Drug and Alcohol Services and Family Care Network. The program involves intensive case management and individualized treatment services. The program treatment services are based on the assessed needs of the minor and his/her family which may include substance abuse treatment, family counseling, other mental health services and educational support.

The program consists of two therapists from Drug and Alcohol Services, two therapists from Family Care Network, two Probation Officers and a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer. Caseload sizes in the program are kept small so that intensive counseling and supervision can be provided.

The target population for the program are youths between the ages of thirteen and seventeen who are wards of the Juvenile Court and who have not been successful in previous probation interventions. The Youth and Family Restoration Program is currently serving 17 youths and their families.