Administrative probation
Administrative probation clients are not supervised in the same manner as traditional probation clients. These juveniles have a set of conditions ordered by a judge that need to be completed, but communication with a probation officer is rarely necessary.
Traditional probation
Generally, youth are assigned to probation officers in local offices close to where they live (North and South Minneapolis and the suburbs). Other juvenile clients may be assigned to specialized caseloads based upon their individual needs or the nature of their offenses.
Probation officers strive to:
- Provide accountability and services to youth in the community.
- Respond quickly to court ordered violations.
- Use out-of-home placement only when there is a risk to public safety.
A juvenile client's level of supervision is determined by an initial assessment administered by a probation officer. Supervision levels are reassessed at six month intervals or as the youth’s circumstances change. Following the completion of the assessment, a youth's probation officer completes a case plan including goals, action steps and timelines for completion. This case plan is developed with the participation of the youth and family.
Supervising probation officers provide face-to-face contact in the office, home, school and the community.
Investigations
Probation staff conduct pre-plea, pre-disposition, extended jurisdiction juvenile and adult certification investigation reports. These reports provide offense and case history information, diagnostic/assessment data and case plan recommendations to assist the court.
Neighborhood probation
Neighborhood probation officers collaborate with community members and a variety of agencies to promote safe communities, as well as enhance an understanding of juvenile probation services. Neighborhood probation officers have strong working relationships with local law enforcement to help address community concerns and juvenile delinquent issues.
Extended jurisdiction juvenile
Extended jurisdiction juvenile is a designation for the most serious juvenile offenders. Youth with this designation receive a dual sentence in juvenile and adult court. They remain under juvenile probation supervision until age 21 unless they violate their probation, thus triggering their adult sentence.
Probation officers supervise these youth if they are in placement or in the community. They provide intensive supervision, aftercare, employment, educational and cognitive programming for these youth after discharge from residential programs.
Gender-specific probation
Juvenile female offenders have unique needs, such as unresolved trauma, abuse, mental health concerns and frequent absenting. Gender-specific probation officers collaborate with community agencies to provide the department's female youth with the services they need.
Sex offender supervision
Sex offender probation officers provide intensive supervision and align youth with services in their community. They also utilize support groups and other therapeutic activities. These youth are ordered to complete either an outpatient treatment program or residential treatment placement.
Youth programming and services
Community Coaches
Community Coaches is a community-based alternative to detention and a tracking initiative that supports juveniles released from detention. These youth are supported by staff to ensure they attend their scheduled court date, do not commit additional offenses and complete previously ordered Sentencing-to-Service.
Gun offender program
Juveniles in court for gun-related offenses may be ordered to complete the gun offender program. This program is designed to engage youth in community restoration efforts and support services within their home community.
Mentors for Success
Juvenile probation offers mentoring services for youth under supervised probation. Services are offered for both male and female youth. Mentors meet with youth weekly for at least one year. Mentors work with youth to improve academic performance, social engagement, career and life skills.
Sexually exploited youth
Any youth, male or female, who have received drugs, money, food, shelter, protection or other necessities in exchange for sex or sexual acts, or youth who have been coerced or threatened into performing sex or sexual acts will be aligned with services to help them cope with their trauma. Juvenile probation works with youth to determine if they have been sexually exploited and works with county and community service providers to obtain services for these youth.