PROBATION REPORT & RESOURCE CENTERS

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Meredith Lee
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Drop-In Education Drop-In Employment Individualized Tutoring Resources For Change Re-Entry Program 4500 HOLLISTER AVE.

1 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PROBATION REPORT & RESOURCE CENTERS PRRC Programming Guide Thinking for a Change WAGE$$ Focuses on interviewing skills, resume writing, job search techniques, and more ROSC Substance abuse peer support groups Parenting Wisely Drop-In Education Drop-In Employment Individualized Tutoring Resources For Change Re-Entry Program 4500 HOLLISTER AVE. SANTA BARBARA, CA W. MORRISON SANTA MARIA, CA Enhancing Success by Promoting Personal Responsibility

2 Santa Barbara County Probation Report and Resource Center (PRRC) PRRC promotes and supports the success of adult offenders in the community by providing evidence-based therapeutic intervention programming and life skills training. PRRC is an avenue for alternative sanctions and reduction of jail bed days for certain violations of probation. PRRC programming focuses on, but is not limited to, cognitive behavioral interventions, employment development, and substance abuse intervention and referral. The Department recognizes the value of therapeutic interventions in addressing offender behavior and reducing the propensity to reoffend. Recognized evidence-based programs (EBP), such as Cognitive Behavioral programming Thinking for a Change group report activities and the other small educational group meetings are the initial focus of on-site interventions. The Department has partnered with Santa Barbara County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services (ADMHS) to provide Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) support groups. The Goals of Probation Report and Resource Centers o Provide support, resources, and serves as an alternative sanction to incarceration; o Provide opportunities for the high-risk probationer to adapt and succeed in his/her family unit and community, utilizing EBP, guidance and instruction; and o Reduce the number of felony probation revocations resulting in a commitment to State Prison. A Guiding Principle The concept of I am invites clients to a new way of thinking. Up to this point, Probation clients have made serious mistakes leading to criminal behavior and conviction. They have lost their focus and only see themselves as failures or criminals without hope. The I am philosophy asks the client to re-define who they are and challenges them to look at the bigger picture of who they are, who they can be, and what defines them as people. Once they begin to ascribe to a more positive outlook, hope is renewed. The training at PRRC assists in drawing out the human potential in each participant, while holding them accountable and providing training to re-enforce pro-social life skills. 1

3 Programs Thinking for a Change The Thinking for a Change (T4C) program is an evidence-based, cognitive behavior program which utilizes cognitive restructuring and social skills interventions designed for clients with a need to learn problem solving techniques. T4C also facilitates classes so clients can identify beliefs, attitudes, and values and assists them to learn a new process of dealing with their thoughts, choices, and actions as well as the results that follow. The class is provided in two-hour sessions for a period of two days per week for eleven weeks. The class is progressive in nature and can only be entered during a new cycle. All probationers, with a preference for offenders who assess with high needs in the area of criminal thinking. Clients are referred by their supervision Deputy Probation Officer (DPO). Drop-in Education PRRC provides drop-in time slots for educational assistance, which are specifically designated to assist clients with the process of earning their GED, high school diploma, or enrolling in college. This time is also designated to assist with completing any other necessary paperwork or forms in the areas of education and/or financial assistance. Assistance in completing application forms such as SSI, California driver s license (CDL) and/or California identification (CA ID) is available. Any client should be directed to stop by the PRRC during the specific times allotted. A referral by the supervision DPO is encouraged but not required. Tutoring PRRC also provides tutoring, which is an additional component to Drop-In Education. Tutoring provides training for clients who need help with English as a Second Language (ESL) reading and writing, basic scholastic skill needs, computer training and development, and additional resume refinement. Students are assessed by certified teaching staff who determine the student s skill level and need. Once assessed, the student will be paired with a teacher specializing in the needed educational component. All tutoring is conducted on site at PRRC under the supervision of Probation staff. Tutoring is also available for students enrolled in GED or college courses who may need additional support in course work. Service availability may vary by area. 2

4 Clients who have not completed high school or clients desiring to enroll in college. Re-Entry Program The Resources for Change Re-Entry Program focuses on the recovery and success of clients who have been habitual offenders. The Resources for Change Program will address the clients issues/concerns prior to and at the time of their release from custody; helping them to formulate a plan for success. The course also sets up a plan to maintain recovery and avoid relapse. The course consists of 20 two- to three-hour sessions over a five week period, focusing on successful individual plans for transition back into the community, tools needed to accomplish the plan, and resources available during the transition period. The course is divided into four components: 1.) Recovery; 2.) Where to live for a new; way of life; 3.) Getting ready to work; and 4.) Working. Individuals subject to longer term incarceration, struggling with addiction while attempting to assimilate back into the community, habitual re-offenders, those transitioning from the juvenile probation system into the adult probation system, clients that have not adjusted to societal norms and need basic social and survival skills, or clients that would benefit from a comprehensive course. A referral should be submitted by the supervision DPO. Work and Gain Economic Self Sufficiency (WAGE$$) The Work & Gain Economic $elf $ufficiency (WAGE$$) program is designed for unemployed or underemployed clients. They will learn interviewing skills, resume writing, job search techniques, and budgeting. WAGE$$ focuses on seeking employment with a felony conviction. The class is provided in three-hour sessions, for a period of three days. Clients who are unemployed or underemployed and require job search skills, or are having difficulty finding employment with a prior criminal history. A referral should be submitted by the supervision DPO. Drop-in Employment PRRC provides drop-in time slots for employment assistance. This time is specifically designated to assist clients with the process of finding employment. Clients may utilize the computer lab for job searches or complete online job applications. Additionally, staff are available to assist with completing any necessary paperwork, employment forms, job applications, and resumes. Clients may receive additional assistance with interviewing techniques and will have access to clothing for interviews. Assistance in completing application forms such as SSI, California driver s license (CDL) and/or California identification (CA ID) is available. 3

5 Clients who are unemployed or under-employed who require employment assistance and those that do not have access to computers for job searches or are in need of appropriate job search/interview attire. Clients should be directed to stop by the PRRC during Drop-In Employment times. A referral by the supervision DPO is encouraged. Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) currently takes place Monday evenings 5:30 pm 6:30 pm weekly at the PRRC. ROSC is a secular, peerdriven support group similar to a 12-Step program for those with substance abuse issues. Walk-ins are welcome; however, a referral by the supervision DPO is encouraged to facilitate the monitoring of attendance. Clients with substance abuse issues who are not able to participate in outpatient treatment pending payment of enrollment fees, Prop 36 clients who are on the wait list, and any clients needing assistance with relapse prevention. Parenting Wisely The Parenting Wisely program uses a risk-focused approach to reduce family conflict and child behavior problems including stealing, vandalism, defiance of authority, bullying and/or poor hygiene. The highly interactive and nonjudgmental format accelerates learning and parents use the new skills immediately. The Parenting Wisely program, reduces children s aggressive and disruptive behaviors, improves parenting skills, enhances communication, develops mutual support, increases parental supervision, and appropriate discipline of their children. A highly versatile program, Parenting Wisely can be used alone, in a group, or with a practitioner. Portions of the program are printed at fifth grade level to assist parents with limited reading capacity. Parenting Wisely is aimed at families who do not usually seek out or complete mental health or parent education interventions for their child s problem behavior; single parent families and step families; clients whose children exhibit behavior problems; clients who are currently parents and wishing to improve their parenting skills; clients who will soon be parents and are seeking parenting skills classes; and clients who may have been involved in domestic abuse and have exhibited a need for additional parenting skills and intervention. A referral by the supervision DPO is encouraged. 4

SAN MATEO COUNTY DAVID LEWIS COMMUNITY REENTRY CENTER

SAN MATEO COUNTY DAVID LEWIS COMMUNITY REENTRY CENTER SAN MATEO COUNTY San Mateo County Adult Probation 400 County Center 5 th Floor Redwood City, CA 94603 Phone: (650) 363-4244 David E. Lewis Community Reentry Center 2277 University Avenue East Palo Alto,