Probation Today Summer 2023

LETTER FROM THE CHIEF

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new ” –Dan Millman

When I was a brand-new Deputy Chief, one of my co-workers gave me a paperweight with a simple message: what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? This paperweight has been on my desk ever since. It is scarred from being dropped, scraped across desks, thrown in moving boxes, and buried beneath paperwork –and every time it catches my eye, I think about that question.

And now, I’m asking you: what would you attempt to do, if you knew you could not fail?

When I was appointed Chief, I picked this paperweight up and thought about my successes, but also the chances and risks I did not take in my 33-year career, usually because I was worried about the repercussions of failure, to myself or to my department. I contemplated the lessons I’ve learned about weighing risk and benefit, and the importance of teaching that skill to others. I considered the need for a new Chief to be bold, to embrace change, and the necessary risks I would have to take as Chief in order to move our department forward. I pictured the challenges ahead, and all the things that could go wrong. I worried over making the shift from striving for personal excellence, into leading our team toward continued departmental excellence.

The thing about that question, though – what could I attempt to do? - is that inevitably, it invites me to think about the endless opportunities available. What if we challenged the status quo, and it worked? What if we calculated the risks, and decided they were acceptable, and we took a brave step forward to try something different than what we have always done? What if I invited each of you to lean into change with me, and we all took a step forward together, as if we knew we could not fail?

The reality is, as we evolve in our work, mistakes will be made – but we must not view these as failures. I see mistakes as chances to learn and be better tomorrow. In this moment of leadership transition and change, we have the chance to ask ourselves this question, and to take appropriate and carefully considered risks which will lead to great rewards. I’m grateful to have been given the chance to stretch my skills, and grateful that so many of you have embraced the chance to try something new, too. Let’s proceed together as though we cannot fail, because that is how the courage to make lasting change is found. I’m looking forward to continuing the momentum we ’ ve started, and I’m excited to see all the things our department will accomplish!

CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER HOLLY BENTON

Holly Benton Sworn In as Santa Barbara Chief Probation Officer

On March 20, 2023, Holly Benton was appointed by the Superior Court, County of Santa Barbara to the position of Chief Probation Officer of the Santa Barbara County Probation Department. Her formal swearing in ceremony was May 4, 2023. Chief Benton brings over 33 years of probation experience from San Bernardino and Santa Barbara counties. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of LaVerne in 1989 and her Master of Public Administration from California State University San Bernardino in 2012. She has served in Santa Barbara County as a Deputy Chief Probation Officer over various assignments, including the Juvenile and Adult Divisions, Research, and IT, since 2018. Congratulations Chief Benton!

ANNUAL PROBATION DEPARTMENT STAFF RECOGNITION

Awards for outstanding work and achievements were distributed to the 38th Annual Staff Recognition recipients on April 11, 2023, in Santa Maria and April 14, 2023, in Santa Barbara. Pins were also presented to staff with 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of dedicated service.

Support Staff of the Year:

Administrative Office Professional (AOP) Christina Balderama (North County) and Computer System Specialist (CSS) Torben Ytting (South County)

Pretrial Staff of the Year:

Pretrial Support Specialist (PTSS) Israel Diaz

Institutions Staff of the Year:

Los Prietos Boys Camp (LPBC) Senior Juvenile Institutions Officer (Sr. JIO) Jon Vittone and Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Sr. JIO Jorge Ruvalcaba

Deputy Probation Officer of the Year:

Senior Deputy Probation Officer (Sr DPO) Victoria Kral (Santa Maria), Sr DPO Deborah Pena (Santa Barbara), and Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) Joshua Clem (Lompoc)

Supervisor of the Year:

Supervising Probation Officer (SPO) Lesli Stamm

Special Award: Staff redeployed working OT Shifts at the JJC & LPBC

Bulldog Award: Field Training & Monitoring Unit

SPO Joe Talaugon, Sr DPOs Jose Macedo and Bonnie O'Neill, DPOs Monica Gomez, David GutierrezMarron, Karla LeBrun, and Jorge Sotelo

Star Award:

Chief Innovation Officer John Kuo & Research & Special Projects Manager Karyn Milligan

Chief’s Award:

Probation Manager Spencer Cross

25 Year Pin

Dave Carlson

Esmeralda Cornejo

Todd Malesich

Jeff McGarey

Leigh O'Neil

Lorna Steele

Lidia Stoner

Maria Story

Stephanie Szczesny

Esther Trejo

SERVICEAwards Dedicated

20 Year Pin

Christina Balderama

Heidie Hensic

Mary Macario

Sam Moreno

Eileen Navarrette

Lea Rodriguez

Roseanna Rojo

15 Year Pin

Sandra Black

Pablo Cortez

Lorene Cowell

Jeremiah Gerue

Rebecca Hansen

Santiago Jimenez

Joseph Locklear

Armando Mendoza

Maria Mendoza

Ben Meza

Mike Mohler

Crystal Rains

Omar Rueff

Michael Sam

James Sendejas

Brenda Villasenor

10 Year Pin

Flory Aldana

Melinda Colon

Refugio Elizarraraz

Vanessa Escobar

Monica Hernandez

Janet Longoria

Kelly Mierzejewski

Jeff Miller

Blanca Navarro

Cristel Perez

Eric Reynolds

Veronica Santana

Matt Sitler

Osvaldo Villagomez

Santa Barbara Probation Conducts Wellness Checks in “Operation Safe at Home”

On March 23, 2023, 12 DPOs with the Santa Barbara County Probation Department conducted county-wide wellness checks of individuals on active probation, post-release community supervision, and pretrial supervision to ensure the safety and well-being of clients and their families A wellness check involves an assessment of the living environment and needs of the client under supervision and others residing in the home. During the visits, wellness items were provided and included lunch totes, water bottles, calendars, notebooks and pens, socks, and personal hygiene supplies. Officers also ensured compliance with the terms and conditions of probation. In total, 38 homes were visited and 28 wellness packages were distributed. Additionally, families were provided information on resources available to meet a variety of needs.

Dos Puertas High School Graduation

On April 25, 2023, family, teachers, and probation staff celebrated the graduation of a Dos Puertas High School student at the Susan J. Gionfriddo Juvenile Justice Center. The student’s hard work and dedication earned him a high school diploma and opened the doors to higher education. Congratulations on achieving this milestone!

On May 19, 2023, Sr. DPOs Macedo and Vazquez spoke in an Advanced Via Individual Determination (AVID) class at Pioneer Valley High School. They discussed careers in law enforcement and the importance of getting an education. AVID is a college preparatory program helping students qualify for attendance at a four-year college or university by developing strategies for success through academic instruction and support. A big thank you to Mrs Ogren, AVID English teacher, for the invitation and the opportunity to share about a career in Probation!

VETERANS COURTGRADUATION TREATMENT

On May 26, 2023, the Honorable John McGregor hosted a commencement ceremony to honor eight military veterans who completed the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program. The graduation marked the 22nd commencement of Santa Maria Collaborative Courts, VTC. Participation in VTC requires veterans to participate in counseling, mental health services, and cognitive behavioral programs. The program is a multi-departmental collaboration between the Superior Court, the Probation Department, Behavioral Wellness, Community-Based Organizations, and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Congratulations graduates!

THE PRISON EDUCATION PROJECT (PEP)

On May 27, 2023, the Prison Education Project (PEP) facilitated a college readiness seminar at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Trust Unit. Representatives from Cal State Poly Pomona, California State University San Bernardino, Fresno State, Colorado School of Mines, and Mt. Sac College covered a variety of topics including selecting a college, financing education, and choosing a major. Participating youth were engaged and enthusiastic about the seminar.

Beyond

Greater Education Incarceration

(B.I.G.E) Club Speaker Series

On April 14, 2023, seven youth from the Los Prietos Boys Camp (LPBC) participated in a speaker series hosted by the Beyond Incarceration Greater Education (B.I.G.E) Club at Allan Hancock College. The event

highlighted Alan Hancock students and the transformative power of education for those returning to the community after a period of incarceration Monique Limon, Senator of the 19th Senate District, also spoke of her journey overcoming adversity and poverty to become the first Latina elected from the 19th district to the State Senate. Youth were engaged and asked questions during the session and expressed gratitude for the experience.

Equine Therapy

LPBC youth participated in the Lead-Up program, a two-day course by Join-Up International. The program uses horses to assist youth in learning to trust, communicate emotions, and use nonviolent approaches. Participating youth enjoyed the program One noted, "It felt good being trusted to be with the horses," and see others work beyond their fears. The youth expressed a strong interest in the program and acknowledged the value of working with horses.

2023 LAWENFORCEMENT

TORCHRUN FOR S

The Santa Barbara County Probation Department was honored to participate in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, Southern California on June 7, 2023. The event involved hundreds of officers from various agencies who ran together to raise awareness and funding for Special Olympics athletes. The "Flame of Hope" reached its final destination at the Summer Games Opening Ceremony on June 10, 2023. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this wonderful event!

PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT

PLAN ADDENDUM

The Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) serves as a local community corrections advisory board Annually, the CCP develops a Realignment Plan to guide the local implementation of Criminal Justice Realignment (AB 109). The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Realignment Plan Addendum presents the CCP’s approach to public safety, using a client-centered focus with emphasis on improving diversion, reentry coordination, community supervision, effective pretrial supervision, treatment interventions, and victim support and includes narratives for new programs, updated statistics, demographics, and substantive program and budget changes. Goals and outcomes are developed by the CCP and provide the framework for the work of all partner agencies throughout the year. The full addendum can be viewed here:

https://content civicplus com/api/assets/8abcd641-53c2-403e-9e5ea2d37de06c16?cache=1800

The presentation to the County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors can be viewed here: Presentation begins at 2:38:00

https://sbcounty.granicus.com/player/clip/4460?view id=3&redirect=true&h=e70682f3c7483f8cd3d9d50c8a93f3ab

COMPREHENSIVE MULTI-AGENCY JUVENILE JUSTICE PLAN/JUVENILE JUSTICE REALIGNMENT PLAN

This year the Comprehensive Multi-Agency Juvenile Justice Plan (CMJJP) and Juvenile Justice Realignment Plan (JJRP) were combined into one document to provide an understanding of the totality of prevention, diversion, and intervention services for justice-involved youth and their families throughout the community. The CMJJP, required by the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA), assesses local resources available for at-risk youth, prioritizes areas facing significant public safety risks from youth crime, and provides a range of responses to juvenile delinquency. Required by Senate Bill (SB) 823, the JJRP realigns the responsibility for the care, custody, and supervision of local justice-involved youth to the counties in which they reside in place of the previously utilized Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) The JJRP describes how funds will be used to support realigned youth in areas such as mental health, family engagement, and reentry. The FY 2023-2024 CMJJP can be viewed here:

https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/2519e196-b4a9-4436-a371304ac9804437?cache=1800

TOWNHALL

In May 2023, the Executive Team held its first regional town hall meetings in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, and the JJC. The town halls provided staff the opportunity to share ideas and suggestions as well as learn about Department priorities directly from the Executive Team.

The next round of 2023 Town Hall meetings are coming up soon! They are scheduled for August 22nd in Santa Barbara, August 23rd at JJC, August 31st in Lompoc, and September 6th in Santa Maria. It's a great opportunity for staff to gather and ask questions. To make sure your question is addressed, consider submitting it in advance We hope to see you there!

PRETRIAL, PROBATION AND PAROLE SUPERVISION WEEK

On July 18, 2023, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors recognized the Probation Department for its outstanding service to the community. The Board presented a resolution declaring July 16 - 22, 2023 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week. The Board acknowledged the contributions of many professionals, including Probation Officers, Juvenile Institution Officers, and Pretrial Service Specialists. The Probation Department was recognized for its efforts in balancing direct human services with research-based deterrents and interventions. Thank you to all Probation staff for their commitment, diligence and excellent work!

DIAL 2-1-1

Santa Barbara County's 2-1-1 connects Probation clients re-entering the community from incarceration with immediate and long-term services and support! Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and in 150 languages. Clients can dial 2-1-1 or text BACKHOME to 898-211 for resource information on Basic Needs, Employment, Transportation, Substance Abuse and much more!

Services are also available by dialing: 800-400-1572

TTY: 805-919-1148

OPEN RECRUITMENTS!

We are always looking for great additions to our team! Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Specific information regarding any of our openings are located at the following website link: https://ca-santabarbaracounty.civicplus.pro/1636/Employment-Opportunities

Design Editor: Betty Olea