Probation

Probation Department consists of 1 Probation Supervisor, 3 Unit Coordinators, 9 Probation Counselors, 3 ISP officers, 1 Court Services Liaison and 2 Secretaries.

Process and Contact Information

The probation department will most likely not have had any contact with the youth or family until the youth has been adjudicated delinquent. Once the client has been adjudicated, the case is then transferred from the intake department over to the probation department.

One of the biggest obstacles a probation counselor may face in the early process of working with the youth and their families is the idea that probation is out to get people in trouble. The probation department works to build trust by not being punitive or using an authoritarian approach, but more so of a therapeutic approach, or an advocate, or maybe like Court coach. We are trying to be a positive figure that will help guide the family through the Court process that can be seen as a traumatic experience within itself.

Once a case is assigned to probation it is then up to assigned probation counselor to set a time to meet with the juvenile and the family to begin the treatment planning process and to conduct the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLSI). During this process it is important to attempt to build trust and rapport with the youth and the family. The probation team will make treatment recommendations after the file is reviewed, meeting with the youth and the family, and completing all necessary assessments.

There are four different determinations can be made for the client at Dispositional Hearing:

No probation
Probation, where the youth lives within the community with probation supervision (which is most likely)
Community level residential placement (such as substance abuse program, mental health facility) along with probation supervision.
Office of Juvenile Affairs which is a level of treatment that the Court orders when it is deemed absolutely necessary for the client to be removed from the community into a highly structured treatment facility. This usually occurs when the client has been adjudicated for serious assaultive crimes.

Whether the child is determined to be in need of in-home supervision or a community level placement by Probation, our days are never the same. However here is a glimpse of a typical week:

First we must compose the treatment plan by conducting a thorough interview process and then monitor this plan. Our treatment plans must target the client’s criminogenic needs. The criminogenic needs are as follows:

Attitudes, values, beliefs
Peer associations
Personality
Education/employment
Family
Substance abuse
Leisure/recreation

Typically a probation counselor will spend one day a week in court making recommendations on behalf of progress or lack of progress in our cases. Probation attempts to always inform the Court on something positive that’s going on in the client’s life, even if they are completing/ignoring their Court/probation requirements. Before we get to this court date, we have composed a report to include in-depth information about each case.

When composing reports, it is helpful to include pertinent details per case that can help the courts see exactly what has occurred since the last hearing: what positive things have happened, what are the current challenges and what the recommendations are. A brief synopsis is always helpful in understanding where the family is at that particular moment.
Maintaining contact with the DA’s and Attorneys is important in helping to identify barriers and concerns the court may have prior to the court hearing.

Although report writing and court presentations are our primary requirements every week, the bulk of our time and work is done in the community advocating in schools, networking with agencies, and crisis management.

Crisis management can mean many things depending on the needs of the family. Probation Counselors may receive a call at any time of the night or day and may need to help the family identify immediate resources to address whatever need has occurred.
It is necessary to be aware of the community resources to aid the family in these difficult times.

Developing relationships with local community officials is crucial in order to provide the most in- depth care.

Community involvement with the agencies with which we work is crucial. Building those relationships help strengthen the families and avoid triangulation with our families.
Advocating at schools is a vital part of community involvement. Staying in close contact with school teachers, principals/deans, and other members of the school staff allow for long-term success for our youth and their families.
Community involvement may involve seeking out new agencies and placement options, trainings, and other avenues to assist our juveniles in successful closure, and to reduce recidivism.
A strong working relationship with the family and juvenile will keep the connection strong throughout the probation case. Without that, the family will not communicate needs should they arise.

In order to consistently improve the way we do our jobs, we strive to be current on best practices through attending trainings and conferences that are related to the people we serve, whether it be human trafficking, emotional intelligence, motivational interviewing or crisis management, just to name a few.

After all of this we want our families to be empowered and self-sufficient while utilizing all the tools that were obtained during their time with us to illicit long-term change.

In the simplest terms, the probation department wants for the client to never come back to the Courts for delinquent issues. The main goal is to reduce recidivism.

Probation Supervisor, Unit Coordinators and contact numbers:
Juvenile Probation Supervisor: Joshua Hogan 918-631-6721
Unit Coordinator and ISP Coordinator: Aaron George 918-631-6708
Unit Coordinator: Seneca Benjamin 918-631-6702
Secretaries Contact Numbers: Dicksy McPherson 918-631-6745, Karen Totten 918-631-6701

Intensive Supervision Program

The Intensive Supervision Program at Tulsa County Family Center for Juvenile Justice primarily deals with the release of youth from detention as an alternative to being locked up. As such a program, the judge presiding over the case makes the decision as to whether or not a youth is appropriate for being on our Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) who monitor the youth while on Homebound Detention. Once a judge makes the referral to ISP, an ISP worker meets with the youth and family to assess the family for admittance to the program and to advise the family and youth of all the requirements of the program. Should the youth be deemed appropriate, the ISP staff will make home and school visits, monitoring all aspects of the release rules for compliance during the youth’s time in the program. Not following the rules of ISP release from detention could result in the youth being returned to detention and at some point a determination could be made to remove the youth from consideration in the future for Homebound Detention. The following are the rules for the program and if your child is referred, you and your child will be expected to sign and date a form containing these rules.

Intensive Supervision Rules

The youth is not to re-offend.
The youth will obey the rules of the parent/guardian’s home, including no friends at home.
The youth will not use illegal drugs or alcohol.
The youth is not to go outside of the home unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The youth is responsible for notifying ISP worker any time they leave and return to the house.
The youth must attend school daily without any incidents.
If the youth is working, they will provide their work schedule to ISP.
The youth will not use social media while on ISP.
The youth’s home must be made available to ISP workers 24/7 while the youth is on ISP.
The youth and family consent to their property or belongings being searched at any time while the youth is on ISP.
The youth is to check in with ISP daily at 9:00am and 9:00pm.
The youth’s parents/guardians are to report any violations of the ISP rules immediately to the ISP worker. Failure to comply could result in contempt proceedings.
If the youth or parent/guardian are unsure about a rule or possible violation, they will contact ISP before proceeding.
If any violations occur while under ISP supervision, the youth may be detained and brought to the Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Home.

ISP Contact Information

ISP Supervisor: Aaron George (918) 631-6708

Sunday-Thursday contact: Reggie Hilliard (918) 402-6512

Tuesday-Saturday contact: Larry Boone (918) 728-9183

Wednesday-Sunday contact: Jermaine Brown (918) 508-1302

Bilingual contact: Ermelinda Thomas (918) 633-2943