Juvenile probation officers who provide supervision and services in out-of-home placement must ensure the safety of both the community and the ward, as they work toward the safe return of the youth to family and community. This nine-day training is designed for probation officers and supervisors who are new to placement units, or want to refresh or enhance their knowledge and skills.
Module 1: Community and Youth Safety
Module 2: Supervision and Services
Module 3: Permanency.
Topics in this nine-day training include:
- Probation officer responsibilities to and for the ward in placement
- Community and youth safety
- Requirements for federal Title IV-E eligibility and Division 31 requirements
- Federal and state laws regarding youth in placement and their families
- The hearing process, findings and writing court reports
- Concurrent planning for both reunification and permanency
- Working with youth in placement and with care providers and family members
- Developing and monitoring case plans
- Engaging the youth and family in services through strength-based practice and interviewing skills
- Legal permanency options for wards
- Indian Child Welfare Act requirements, findings and permanency issues
- Preparing the youth to achieve success when returning to their community
As a result of this training, probation placement officers will be oriented to legal and regulatory requirements regarding youth in care. They will be able to provide supervision and support to youth, care providers and family, with a dual focus on reunification and permanency, and be equipped to establish permanency for wards. Officers will also need to acquire county-specific implementation information from their own agencies, to be fully prepared to work as a probation placement officer.