Skip to content
  • Search button - Click to reveal search controls.
  • Home
  • Contact
AC Probation home
  • MenuPress Enter to acess menu items
  • Calendar
  • Restitution Payments
  • Adult Field Services
    • Reentry and Public Safety Realignment
    • Specialized Caseloads
    • Victim Restitution
  • Juvenile Services
    • Juvenile Field Services
    • Juvenile Facilities
    • Juvenile Justice & Deliquency Prevention Commision
    • Delinquency Prevention Network
    • Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council
    • SB 823
    • Record Sealing
  • Data
    • Probation Reports
    • Research, Data & Evaluation
  • Resources & Info
    • Best Practices & Innovative Strategies
    • Family Member
    • Community Partners
    • Grants & Contracts
    • In Your Corner
    • Volunteer
    • Policy & Standards Compliance
    • Programs And Services Survey
  • News & Events
    • Spotlights
    • COVID-19 News
  • About
    • Message from the Chief
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Reports
    • Vision
    • Careers & Recruitment
    • Juvenile Institutional Officer
    • Administration Services
    • Find My Probation Officer
    • Complaint - CBO
    • Complaint - Employee
    • Locations
    • Directory
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Feedback
© Alameda County Probation DepartmentClose main menu
CalendarContactRestitution Payments
  • Restitution Payments
  • Adult Field Services
    • Reentry and Public Safety Realignment
    • Specialized Caseloads
    • Victim Restitution
  • Juvenile Services
    • Juvenile Field Services
    • Juvenile Facilities
    • Juvenile Justice & Deliquency Prevention Commision
    • Delinquency Prevention Network
    • Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council
    • SB 823
    • Record Sealing
  • Data
    • Probation Reports
    • Research, Data & Evaluation
  • Resources & Info
    • Best Practices & Innovative Strategies
    • Family Member
    • Community Partners
    • Grants & Contracts
    • In Your Corner
    • Volunteer
    • Policy & Standards Compliance
    • Programs And Services Survey
  • News & Events
    • Spotlights
    • COVID-19 News
  • About
    • Message from the Chief
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Reports
    • Vision
    • Careers & Recruitment
    • Juvenile Institutional Officer
    • Administration Services
    • Find My Probation Officer
    • Complaint - CBO
    • Complaint - Employee
    • Locations
    • Directory
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Feedback
© Alameda County Probation DepartmentClose mobile
Skip to main content
Resources & Info
  • Best Practices & Innovative Strategies
  • Community Partners
  • Family Member
  • Grants & Contracts
  • In Your Corner
  • Programs and Services Survey
  • Policy and Standards Compliance Unit
  • Volunteer

Best Practices & Innovative Strategies

Vision

Committed to having the most innovative and cutting edge evidence-based organization (EBO) in community corrections.

Purpose

Implement best practices throughout the entire Department with fidelity to improve outcomes for our staff and community.

                                            

    THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF EBP FOR EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS

    PrincipleDescription

    Assess Actuarial Risk/Needs

    • Assess static and dynamic factors
    • Identify unique risk and needs
    • Use as foundation for Evidence-Based Practice supervision and treatment

    Enhance Intrinsic Motivation

    • Use motivational interviewing skills
    • Explore ambivalence to change
    • Facilitate a strong internal motivation to change
    Target Interventions
    • Risk: Prioritize treatment for clients assessed at higher risk
    • Need: Address the client’s greatest dynamic factors
    • Responsivity: Pair the client’s characteristics to services
    • Dosage: Match the level of services to the client’s assessed risk
    • Treatment: Deliver targeted and timely treatment
    Skill Train with Directed Practice
    • Use cognitive-behavioral treatment strategies to address and enhance thinking, socialization, and communication skills
    • Conduct role-play with clients
    Increase Positive Reinforcement
    • Encourage behavior change with positive reassurance
    • Use rewards, affirmations, and incentives
    • Deliver four positives to every one negative reinforcements (4:1)
    • Use swift and specific sanctions for infractions when necessary
    Engage Ongoing Support in Communities
    • Identify positive community support
    • Enhance pro-social activities in the community
    Measure Relevant Processes/Practices
    • Assess change in client’s behavior and effectiveness of staff and services
    • Document and measure outcomes
    Provide Measurement Feedback
    • Build motivation and accountability through routine feedback

     

    THE BIG FOUR DYNAMIC FACTORS

    Dynamic Factor Response

    Cognitive Behavioral

    • Recognize risky thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that may lead to criminal/negative behavior
    • Reduce immediate anti-social cognition
    • Sustain long-term pro-social cognition

    Social Environment

    • Reduce contact with associates who engage or encourage criminal activities.
    • Enhance contact with associates who support pro-social activities

    Criminal Personality

    • Build problem solving, decision making, self-management, anger management, and coping skills

    Family and/or Marital (Partner or Significant Other)

    • Reduce familial/marital/partner conflict
    • Recognize and enhance healthy relationships
    • Build positive communication skills.

     

    THE LESSER FOUR DYNAMIC FACTORS

    Dynamic Factor Response

    Abuse/Misuse

    • Reduce substance usage 
    • Avoid situations and environments that encourage substance abuse/misuse
    • Enhance positive alternatives to substance abuse

    Employment

    • Enhance employment skills 
    • Maintain gainful employment

    School

    • Explore educational and vocational training 
    • Expand education opportunities

    Family and/or Marital (Partner or Significant Other)

    • Engage in pro-social activities

     

    Adapted from: Andrews, Donald A (2007). “Principles of Effective Correctional Programs”, in Motiuk, Laurence L. and Serin, Ralph C. (2007). Compendium 2000 on Effective Correctional Programming.  Correctional Service Canada. csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/compendium/2000/index-eng.shtml

    ACPD’s Top 10 COMPAS Assessment Dynamic Factors  

    ACPD’s Top 10 Case Plan Needs and Top 10 Program Referrals

     

    RESOURCES

    BP BLASTS

    Date, Issue  Links
    December 30, 2022

    BP BLASTS

    October 2022, Issue 1

    BP BLASTS

    August 2022, Issue 1

    BP BLASTS

     

    Below is a list of internal and external, web-based resources that can be used to find information about Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), best practices and other research-driven programming that has been found to be effective in supporting our juvenile and adult clients through their reentry journeys.

    Please click on links below to access the following resources.

     Resources Description

    Carey Guides

    Carey Group Publishing

    Short, practical, easy to use guides to help clients change their behaviors in critical skill deficit areas and encourage healthy lifestyles.

    Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

    Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

    A list of rated programs and services (well-supported, supported, promising, or does not currently meet the criteria) intended to provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster care placements.

    Results First Clearinghouse Database

    Pew Charitable Trusts

    One-stop online resource to find information on the effectiveness of various interventions as rated by nine national research clearinghouses.

    Resources for Evidence-Based Programs

    Board of State and Community Corrections – California (BSCC)

    Websites and online reports featuring listings and assessments of evidence about effective practices and programs for criminal justice practitioners, planners, and policymakers.

    What Works in Reentry Clearinghouse

    The Council of State Governments (CSG)
    A “one-stop shop” for research on the effectiveness of a wide variety of reentry programs and practices.

    Evidence-Based Programs Resource Center

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
    Evidence-based repository and review system designed to provide communities, clinicians, policymakers, and others in the field with information and tools to incorporate evidence-based practices into their communities or clinical settings.

    Crimesolutions Registry

    National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
    A web-based programs and practices clearinghouse with identification and rating processes.

    California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)

    California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
    Searchable database which provides descriptions and information on research evidence for child welfare-related programs.

    Blueprints for Health Youth Development

    University of Colorado

    A registry which identifies evidence-based interventions that are effective in reducing antisocial behavior and promoting a healthy course of youth development and adult maturity. 

    Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review (TPP)

    US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

    A list of effective programs to reduce teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and associated sexual risk behaviors.

    LIBRARY

    EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES/BEST PRACTICES ARTICLES

    Title Description

    Becoming an Evidence-Based Organization: Five Key Components to Consider by D. Myers

    An outline of the five key components of organizational development needed to become a comprehensive Evidence-Based Organization (EBO).

    Implementing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Community Corrections by M. Guevara and E. Solomon

    Review of the three components of the Integrated Model for implementing evidence-based policies and practices: Evidence-Based Practices, Organizational Development, and Collaboration. The Model incorporates both research on effective corrections practices and practical approaches needed to create and sustain an EBO.

    Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Community Corrections: The Principles of Effective Intervention

    A detailed review of the eight evidence-based principles for effective interventions.

    Tools of the Trade: A Guide to Incorporating Science Into Practice

    A manual demonstrating the application of evidence-based research findings into the practice of client supervision.

    Smart Probation: A Study of the San Diego County Probation Department’s Application of Evidence-Based Practices

    An evaluation of the San Diego Probation Department’s implementation of evidence-based supervision and their four project goals (support EBP leadership, implement a supervision model, provide access to appropriate intervention services, and collaborate with justice partners).

    The Stages of Change

    A review of the six stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation/determination, action/willpower, maintenance, and relapse).

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    An overview of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) including how it works, a few techniques, and the limitations of CBT.

    15 Core CBT Techniques You Can Use Right Now

    A review of CBT techniques that may be effectively used during intervention. Techniques include behavioral experiments, journaling, cognitive restructuring, and reframing. The techniques noted here may be used in tandem or individually.

     VIDEOS RELATED TO BEST PRACTICES 

    Title Description

    Brené Brown on Empathy

    An animated short by Dr. Brené Brown outlines the difference between empathy and sympathy and the four qualities of empathy.

     MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING VIDEOS

    Title Type Length

    What is Motivational Interviewing? (by Bill Miller, Theresa Moyers, and Stephen Rollnick)

    Background/intro

    0:59 Min

    Can Motivational Interviewing Work in a Single Session? (by Bill Miller and Theresa Moyers)

    Background/intro

    3:25 Min

    Lifting the Burden in Motivational Interviewing (by Bill Miller)

    Background/intro

    2:06 Min

    How the 5 Principles of Motivational Interviewing Can Help Safeguard Our Nation, Families, and Futures

    Background/intro

    32:48 Min

    Motivational Interviewing

    Background/intro 32:13 Min

    Motivational Interviewing: Reflective Listening in Challenging Conversations

    Example Interview 3:18 Min
    Motivational Interviewing: Ken Interviews Daryl Example Interview 27:15 Min
    Motivational Interviewing – Case Management in Probation Example Interview 14:02 Min
    Using Motivational Interviewing Approaches Example Interview 16:02 Min
    Motivational Interviewing in Juvenile Justice Settings Example Interview 3:45 Min
     

    MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING ARTICLES

    Title Description

    Principles of Motivational Interviewing

    Review of the four principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI): express empathy, develop discrepancy, roll with resistance, and support self-efficacy.

    Resistance, Motivational Interviewing, and Executive Coaching by P. Harakas (Boston University)

    An examination of theoretical approaches to executive coaching, the phenomena of resistance and ambivalence, the psychological theories of reactance and self-determination, and the therapeutic approach of MI.

    Motivational Interviewing: 8 Questions to Ask Clients to Motivate Change by M. Miller

    A review of eight MI examples and questions that may be used with clients.

    Motivational Interviewing in Criminal Justice: A New Approach to Addressing Treatment Motivation and Related Behaviors by S. Walters, E. Ressler, L. Douglas, and F. Taxman

    An analysis of MI and the Motivational Assessment Program to Initiate Treatment (MAPIT) study which tests the effectiveness of MI.

    Motivational Interviewing: Facilitating Behaviour Change by S. Barrett

    A review of the basics of MI.

    Motivational Interviewing Training in Criminal Justice: Development of a Model Plan by M. Alexander, S. VanBenschoten, and S. Walters

    An explanation of the eight stages of learning MI and guidance on how to train officers to incorporate MI into client supervision.
    Motivational Interviewing: History, How it Works, Effectiveness  A review of the basics of MI including the four techniques of the MI process: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning.

    Outcomes of Motivational Interviewing Training with Probation and Parole Officers: Findings and Lessons Learned by M. Iarussi and D. Powers

    A study which investigated the outcomes of officers who completed MI training. The study also provides recommendations on how to improve MI trainings.
    Motivational Interviewing Reminder Card A two-page card providing tips on conducting MI.

    BP WORKGROUP

    A newly created workgroup, led by the Best Practices Unit, will look at best practices and its practical applications throughout all aspects of departmental functions. This group will provide their feedback and input in helping the Department not only explore and assist with implementation and fidelity of best practices but help the Department continue achieving its goal of being a leader in the industry.

    WORKGROUP MEMBERS

     Participant Division
    Shereen Khan Best Practices and Innovation Strategies Team
    Estial Lett Best Practices and Innovation Strategies Team
    Holly Axe Best Practices and Innovation Strategies Team
    Elijah Booker Juvenile Facilities
    Richetta Bottom Juvenile Facilities
    Anthony Cole Adult Field Services
    Fred Dabbs Juvenile Field Services
    Brian Deburr Juvenile Field Services
    Allison Eiesland Juvenile Field Services
    Craig Emmons Juvenile Field Services
    Sylvia Gipson Administration
    Antonio Gomez Juvenile Field Services
    Janene Grigsby Administration
    Angelika Laszuk Juvenile Facilities
    Tara Marlowe Administration
    Natalia Milner Adult Field Services
    Adrienne Mitchell Adult Field Services
    Elizabeth Morrison Administration
    James Rivers Juvenile Facilities
    Tamara Scott Juvenile Field Services
    Gina Temporal Administration
    Norma Torres Adult Field Services
    Monique Woods Juvenile Facilities
    Tyler Zatcoff Administration

     

    TEAM

     
    Name Classification Title 
    Shereen Khan, MPA, CEBL Director, Best Practices  and Professional Development
    Holly Axe, MPP Probation Specialist

    Estial Lett, MPA, CEBP

    Deputy Probation Officer III

    resources

    • COVID-19 News
    • FAQ
    • Policy & Standards Compliance
    • Programs And Services Survey
    • Voting Rights

    client services

    • About ACPD
    • Locate Facilities
    • 2-1-1 Reentry
    • Website Feedback

    organization

    • Public Records Act
    • Strategic Plan: Vision 2023
    • Calendar
    • Staff Website
    AC Probation home

    Alameda County
    Probation Department

    • Home
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • CEBO: Certified Evidence-Based Organization
    social