Juvenile Casework

Standard probation represents more of a full-service diagnostic and monitoring plan for the delinquent client. A full social history is collected, including information from schools and other agencies. The caseworker assists in developing and implementing the plan and meets regularly with client and family to assure compliance and to help shape behavior. Staff also serves as liaison and coordinator, and sometimes advocate, with schools, therapists, and others who provide services to the youth and/or family. Staff is responsible for regular feedback to the court and presents the case at the scheduled review hearing. A violation of probation may lead to a more restrictive disposition.

Youth authorized on the formal court docket are assigned geographically to a probation officer who is responsible for preparing the case for court and submitting a social history report with recommended disposition. An assigned judge or court referee, upon adjudication, enters the probation order, if appropriate.

1. Family interview to collect social history information for a report to court.
2. Obtain information from local police department, schools, and community agencies.
3. Develop the plan and caseworker's recommendations.

1. One face-to-face interview within ten days after disposition to ensure understanding of court orders and get signature on rules of probation.
2. Explanation of Youth Community Service requirements and a list of sites for completing assignment.
3. Explain restitution requirements and court costs, as well as provide documentation to the Circuit Court Reimbursement Division of ordered fees.
4. Provide referrals for counseling, if part of the order.
5. Twice monthly face-to-face monitoring with caseworker to review progress/confirm compliance with court order.
   
   • Note: Frequency of interviews may increase or decrease if caseworker and caseworker's supervisor determine appropriate.
6. Regular checks by caseworker with parents, agency personnel, school authority, to ensure compliance.
7. Written documentation of progress filed with the court.

Intensive probation is designed to maintain high risk delinquents in their community in lieu of residential care, while safeguarding the community as much as possible. Caseload size is limited to 15-20. A team approach, including paid paraprofessional intern monitors, ensures frequency and intensity of contacts. Special tools have been designed to give probation staff the repertoire of responses needed to work with this high risk population.

Youth placed on intensive probation either have the offense history or the risk factor to a point where they would have been placed out of the home had it not been for this program. Often, consent probation or standard probation failures will be tried on intensive probation.

1. One face-to-face interview within five days after disposition to ensure understanding of the court's expectations and establish time lines for compliance with order.
2. Explanation of Youth Community Service and/or restitution requirements and a list of sites for completing assignment, as well as explanation of court costs, etc.
3. Referral of parent to local parent education courses, if ordered.
4. Referral of youth to appropriate therapeutic agencies, if appropriate.

Phase I (30 days)

Caseworker and intern: Two to three face-to-face contacts per week, as well as random evening and weekend contacts.

Phase II (60 days)

Caseworker and intern: Two to three face-to-face contacts per week, as well as random evening and weekend contacts.

Phase III (60-90 days)

Caseworker and intern: Two to three face-to-face contacts per week, as well as random evening and weekend contacts.

Phase IV (30 days)

Caseworker and intern: One to two face-to-face interview per week.

This program provides a brief reality-based experience to 16 and 17-year-old court wards. For this group of soon-to-be legal adults, the message conveyed by the jail tour is that further offenses can exact a heavy toll on freedom and dignity.

Repayment to the victim to hold young offenders accountable for their actions.

Electronic technology used to ensure compliance with home detention and curfew for adjudicated youth.

Services to victims where the caseworker acts as a resource to the victim. Contact is made with victims, requesting that they submit a statement sharing how the crime has impacted them and offers an opportunity to request restitution when appropriate.

The court's philosophy is that every delinquent offender owes a debt to his or her community for inconveniences resulting from their offenses. As part of probation, the youth repays that debt by contributing community service work. A certain number of hours, usually between 30 and 100, are ordered as part of the disposition. Recruited community agencies agree to provide supervised work opportunities in which youngsters can serve their hours.