The Juvenile Probation and Detention Services Division provides a continuum of services to families of youth who have been referred by law enforcement for delinquent offenses.  Services range from informal diversion from court to highly structured supervision or probation in the community.  The Division also provides in-house residential treatment as well as a secure detention center for more serious and/or chronic juvenile offenders.  More about the individual functions of the Division may be found here.

2011

Juvenile Probation 

Probation officers are required to obtain twenty hours of training during the year.  Some of these hours are mandatory and the others are chosen by staff as it relates to their particular case load.  During this year, training was provided on a variety of topics to probation officers.

Mandatory training events included ethics, confidentiality, legal issues and CPR/1^st Aid.  Facilitators of the JRs Challenge program attended a Round Table conference.  Other topics that were not mandatory included training workshops at the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association Conference which included a variety of topics such as sex offender issues, trends with new drugs that offenders are using, and youth as violent offenders.  Other training topics included bullying, TRACKER database, how the brain forms new habits, legal updates on domestic violence, street gangs in Lake County, the effects of trauma on children and Thinking for Change 3.0 cognitive behavioral programming. 

During this year, a compliance probation officer was assigned to Juvenile Probation in an effort to increase court ordered fee collection.  This officer has established a work flow to communicate with youth and families following court and via the mail.  In addition to this process, volunteers continue to make reminder phone calls to parents regarding upcoming court hearings.

The Girl Wise conference was held on 4-30-2011 at the College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus.  Committee members of the conference included agency participation from the Regional Office of Education, the College of Lake County, Omni Youth Services, the States Attorney’s Office, Northern Illinois Counsel on Substance Abuse, Waukegan High School, One Hope United and the Attorney General’s Office.  A grant was secured this year by the States Attorney’s Office which allowed the committee to obtain supplies for this year’s conference in addition to future conferences.  The conference for 2012 is scheduled for the same location on 4-28-2012.

The Positive Community Take Over group (PTCO) had another successful year.  Community leaders of the community of North Chicago and representatives of the Court continued to facilitate programming for high risk youth of that community.  Probation Officers in collaboration with the school district provided groups to youth on a weekly basis covering topics which included communication, problem solving, victimization, education and employment skills.  Parents of the youth also participated in groups to develop additional parenting skills.  Upon completion of the program youth participated in a recognition graduation in the Mayor’s City Council Chambers which occurred during the months of April and November.  Attendees of the graduations included Circuit Judge Boettle-Ceckowski, Associate Judge Sarah Lessman, Director Robert Cesar, Mayor Rockingham, Chief of Police Michael Newsome, Chief of the Lake County Jail Jennifer Witherspoon, Principal of Yeager School Nicole Johnson and the residents of the community to support the graduates for their accomplishments.

Juvenile Probation/Detention Services completed its year of providing employment programming to youth through the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG).  The grant enabled the Division to hire a part-time employment specialist to facilitate the employment curriculum, secure job sites and placement of youth in these sites throughout the year.  A supplemental grant was also secured which enabled the programming to be enhanced via acquisition of additional supplies and computer hardware and software.  During 2011, 69 youth participated in the employment curriculum and 25 were placed in employment positions which enabled them to pay court ordered restitution and fees to successfully their probation.  In addition, two youth were hired as permanent employees of the Lake County Public Works.  This grant enables employers to utilize youth in positions where funding has been cut given the difficult economic times and expand their workforce.  The grant has been extended through 2012 and it is hopeful that is will be a staple for youth we service in Lake County.

Juvenile Probation provides an Orientation Group to youth and families as they become part of the Juvenile Court.  The group is facilitated by probation officers with the support of volunteers with the Division.  The Orientation Group is a one night session that enlightens youth and families what they can expect during their time with the Juvenile Court.  Youth and families are able to ask questions as to concerns they may have that will hinder a successful experience.  As well, the role of the assigned probation officer is discussed in detail so that the probation officer can be viewed as a resource to the youth and parents.  A new group is being offered in 2012 for clients that specifically speak Spanish.  Spanish speaking probation officers and volunteers will facilitate a similar program.

Programming via JRs Challenge was provided to youth during the past year.  Probation officers and Juvenile Counselors are trained facilitators who provide the experience to youth via a low and high ropes course.  During the experience youth learn skills such as building self-esteem, problems solving and setting pro-social goals for their future.  The courses were scheduled from March through October.   The Juvenile Division partnered with Omni Youth Services who provided experiential adventure trips which included rock climbing, caving, canoeing and camping experience to youth.  In exchange for these services, Omni Youth Services benefited by having their clients participate in the JRs Challenge Program.  This partnership will continue next year.

Volunteers continue to provide valuable hours to the probation unit in many different areas.  In partnership with the College of Lake County, volunteers are screened and trained prior to beginning their service.  These hours are dedicated to various programs and to assist probation officers in their daily work.  Currently volunteers hours are being utilized in the orientation group, daily office duties, employment programming, compliance calls, Girl Wise conference and victim services.  Orientation workshops are conducted periodically with new volunteers to familiarize them to the Juvenile Division.  Services provided by volunteers are truly appreciated by the Courts as well as the youth and families they service.

Juvenile probation has made strides to complete written work electronically striving towards a paperless system.  This past year the unit successfully transitioned from hand written case notes to completing all court reports and logging of case notes electronically.  As part of a focus group speared by the Director of the Juvenile Division, other units as well are incorporating available technology into their day to day functions.  A goal for the Probation Unit next year is to include case plans with this process.

Group Reporting continues to supervise low risk cases with significant success.  With the use of volunteers, one probation officer is able to supervise cases throughout the county at satellite offices.  Probationers are able to meet expectations, remaining delinquent free and being successfully terminated from probation.  This program has saved time for probation officers to spend more time with the higher risk youth.  In addition, this form of supervision has been cost effective for the Circuit without decreasing the success rate.

The Juvenile Probation Unit provided internships to six college students during the year.  Students were interested in pursuing a career as a probation officer and as part of the internship they performed tasks such as report writing, completing documentation, communicating with youth and families and other tasks as assigned.  The interns were students of Western Illinois University, Illinois State University and Westwood College.  The students participated as part of their curriculum and received college credit for their experience with the Division.

Juvenile probation officers conduct adoption investigations for the Circuit Court.  During this year, the entire adoption process for the Circuit was transferred from the Family Court Division to the Juvenile Court.  Departments affected by this transition included the Circuit Clerk’s Office and the Division of Juvenile Probation/Detention Services.  The Juvenile Court Judges will hear all adoption petitioned to the Court in Vernon Hills.  The administration staff of the Juvenile Division will perform the function of informing outside agencies and attorneys when ordered by the court.  This transition will enable petitioners to accomplish all necessary tasks at one location.

Awards presented to probation officers this year included the following:

Claudia Gilhooley received the Distinguished Service Award via the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association.

Mario Urbina received the Juvenile Justice Award via the Juvenile Officers Association.

Scott Francke received the Employee of the Month Award from Chief Judge Victoria Rossetti for the Month of February.

2010

Meetings are underway with the College of Lake County-Judicial Services Division to establish a community service education program, as a resource for the Branch Courts, for juveniles who are charged with local ordinance violations.

2009

Juvenile Probation 

All sworn probation officers are mandated by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to receive 20 hours of training annually.  The goal of training is to ensure staff is familiar if not certified to facilitate Evidence Based Practices.  During the year the following topics were provided to probation officers:

• Motivational Interviewing, Thinking 4 Change, probation unit in-service on policy and procedure, officer safety training, management budgets webinar, truancy, testifying in court, Rosecrance Adolecent Substance Abuse Program-unit meeting overview, emergency safety and risk management training provided to lead workers and supervisors, working with females, Vista dual-diagnosis/intensive out-patient, lockout, recertification-CPR and First-aide.

The Juvenile Court Act is based on a restorative justice model mandating services to youth and families to develop competencies with the goal of avoiding delinquent behavior in the future as well as strengthening family systems.  Probation officers make referrals for services to outside agencies as well as facilitating groups themselves.  Currently probation officers facilitate the following programs.

• Positive Community Take Over (Programming for boys and their families who reside in   North Chicago).
• Thinking 4 Change (22 week group program to address thinking errors).
• JRs Challenge (Experiential learning utilizing a low and high ropes course).
• Girls Group (Gender specific programming for girls on probation).
• Orientation Group (New cases to probation-Volunteers co-facilitate with probation officers).
• Girl Wise (Collaborative effort between community, schools and Court to offer a one day work shop for junior high and high school age students in Lake County).

The Division of Juvenile Probation/Detention Services is in constant review of its practice to ensure efficient methods and timely service.  During this year, the juvenile probation unit modified certain procedures to go “Green” by utilizing the electronic data base (TRACKER) for case notes of probation officers.  TRACKER has vast capability that will further enhance probation officers in performing their jobs.  These enhancements will include report writing, timeliness of documentation, mailings, referral processing and many more. 

An additional procedure for Juvenile Probation was to obtain a picture of each youth on probation as part of their file.  This picture was taken electronically via the TRACKER system to ensure proper identification of minors.

The volunteer program is coordinated via the College of Lake County.  During the year on-going orientations occurred with new community members that have an interest in volunteering with the Division.  This year, juvenile probation had volunteers perform work in the unit which included office support, co-facilitation of orientation for new probationers, supporting community groups and working with victims of juvenile crime. 

The Internship program allows for college students to gain a career related experience with the 19^th Judicial Circuit.  During this year, the Probation Unit partnered with the University of Wisconsin- Parkside which enabled students to obtain college credits and learn the job of a Juvenile Probation Officer.

The Juvenile Probation/Detention Services Division maintains interaction and professional relationships with other organizations that promote Juvenile Justice.  Probation officers are members of various community organizations to enhance dialogue with the goal of reducing juvenile delinquency and strengthening the family system.  These organizations include:

• Illinois Probation and Court Services Association
• Lake County Juvenile Officer’s Association
• Juvenile Justice Council
• School Resource Officer’s Meeting
• Lake County Gang Task Force

Our involvement with these groups has enhanced communication between disciplines as well as offer training opportunities for juvenile probation officers.

Prior to 6-1-08, the Juvenile Court Act allowed for minors under the age of 13 to be committed to DCFS as a sentencing alternative.  Effective 6-1-08, the statute included minors under the age of 15.  Juvenile probation has utilized this law change with regards to youth that exceed community based plans and are being considered for residential treatment or commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice.  By the end of 2009, juvenile probation had serviced many youth via this law change at a savings to the County in excess of $500,000. 

As a measure to expand the accessibility of probation officers to the probationers they supervise, juvenile probation officers began to schedule time at the Branch Courts in Park City and Round Lake Beach.  This expansion enabled probation officers to have office time in the areas they supervise.

2009

Changes were implemented that included increasing computer-based learning projects, individualized placement in math, and a more intensive “homework hour” in the evening designed to assist residents in preparing for their transition to the community. In addition, new report cards/progress reports were designed and are now available for court hearings and other involved parties including parents. These reports are eventually sent to the home school districts with information about grades, behavior, and a calculation of actual credits depending on the length of stay.

Donations of equipment and services have continued to provide many fitness options for the P.E. program. Residents had the opportunity to participate in bi-monthly yoga classes taught by a community volunteer who is a certified instructor. This was a very popular activity and seemed to contribute to a calmer atmosphere and decreased stress level resulting in an overall healthier environment.

INTAKE

JIS Division assisted in the facilitation of a joint training on the new process for photographing Intake and probation Youth. With the camera being installed Intake began the process and Probation followed.  A written procedure was completed and approved. Instructions and the policy were distributed to all Intake personnel.

Deputy Superintendent completed a 40 hour Domestic Violence Prevention/intervention Training facilitated by A Safe Place to enhance service provided to youth referred by law enforcement for domestic violence offences.

Juvenile Intake along with Adult Probation met with various Police Departments to discuss officer safety strategies in communities experiencing an uptick of violent crime.  

A warrant monitoring process has been implemented.  Intake receives all delinquent juvenile warrants issued by the court and the active list that the Lake County Sheriff's Department has in an effort to ensure that all parties have the same information.  This has helped maintain an accurate number of cases for all parties and the Clerk's office.

KITCHEN 

A Kitchen manual was completed and a staff training program was implemented.  It was noted by ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) that no other facility in the area had a procedural manual.   

A suprise inspection by The Lake County Health Department was conducted and the inspection was a success (no violations). It should also be noted that all other private establishments are phoned and pre-advised of an inspection date.  Because this is a Lake County facility our inspections remain a surprise.