POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

Youth arrested for suspected law violations and delivered to juvenile hall by law enforcement are assessed to determine whether they are required to remain in custody or be released to a parent or caregiver, pending Court appearance. Intake staff also assess whether cases should be referred to the District Attorney to request a petition be filed with the court. This happens with both in-custody and out-of-custody situations. In instances where youth present low-risk for future delinquent behavior, Intake staff exercise discretion to divert cases and refer youth to appropriate community-based programs and services, in lieu of requesting a petition through the District Attorney.

When the District Attorney has filed a petition with the Court and the Court has found the youth to be responsible for committing a violation of the law (602 Welfare and Institutions Code), a Deputy Probation Officer is assigned to investigate the circumstances of the case and background of the youth and make a recommendation to the Court.

In preparing the disposition report, the Investigation Unit takes into account risk for future delinquency, responsivity factors, family dynamics, peer relationships, academic history, and the youth’s prior and current activities in the community. Furthermore, during the time of preparing the disposition report, the Investigation Unit also facilitates Child and Family Team meetings to assess the youth’s strengths and natural supports. The family is also offered and connected with stabilization services as needed.

Juvenile Community Supervision is divided into three regions (North, Central and South County), the caseloads are supervised by risk level and gender. Youth under supervision are generally between the ages of 12-18 and in some cases up to age 21. Deputy Probation Officers assigned to high, medium, low and gender specific caseloads are trained in administering validated risk assessment tools, utilizing Motivational Interviewing and facilitating cognitive behavioral interventions. Deputy Probation Officers are also trained to recognize and identify signs of trauma and sex-exploitation, and to connect youth to appropriate levels of service, by need. Youth assigned to Juvenile Community Supervision have access to and are often referred to a wide variety of no-cost programs and services aimed at youth appropriate, targeted interventions that provide positive reinforcements to limit and/or eliminate contact with the justice system altogether.

Furthermore, as required by statue, Deputy Probation Officers are an extension of the court and thus monitor compliance with court-ordered probation conditions, by working with the youth in a variety of supports and roles, such as, counselor, advocate, mentor and/or life coach.

The Resource Connection Network is a collaborative and connected partnership of providers.  They include 10 Youth Service Centers, who provide prevention services and programs to youth in Alameda County ages 8-21 who are system-involved, or at risk of becoming system-involved. A Youth Service Center is an agency contracted by Probation to provide therapeutic counseling, case management, and diversion services. The Community Programs are agencies contracted to provide specialized services and programs in one or more of the following categories: Diversion, Life Skills and Support Services, Civic and Social Engagement, Mentoring, Anger Management, Cognitive Behavior Intervention, Gender Specific Programs, Group/Network Intervention, Outpatient Drug Treatment, Parenting Classes, Restorative Justice, and Employment. The Community Programs are contracted to work with At Promise and System Involved youth ages 9 to 21.

Out-of-home placement has two fundamental goals for youth:

• Rehabilitation:  Provide youth with a safe environment that will allow them to develop socially acceptable behavior patterns, continue their education, and receive appropriate interventions to address medical and psychological needs.
• Reunification/Emancipation:  Deputy Probation Officers work with families from the beginning of the placement process through regular contacts and conferences with the youth, providers and parents aimed at reunification, emancipation, or an alternative long-term living arrangement.

Assembly Bill 12 created California’s Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program to improve outcomes for youth in foster care.  The program allows eligible youth in the child welfare and probation systems to remain in foster care until age 21.  These young adults are referred to as Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) and remain under the jurisdiction of the court, supervision of the county, and must reside in eligible licensed or approved placements to receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Foster Care (AFDC-FC).