Riverside County Probation Department Earns Certification in Juvenile Justice Reform

Key department decision makers traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in a certification program focusing on transforming juvenile probation.

After competing on a national level, the Riverside County Probation Department was selected to participate in a 4-day certification program at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. The goal of the Transforming Juvenile Probation Program is to guide teams from state and local jurisdictions to reshape their system-wide approach to probation on a fundamental level. The university aims to support innovative leaders who are committed to promoting national juvenile probation transformation.

Riverside County Probation Chief Christopher Wright said that he is energized by the department’s selection, and excited to meet with the team when they return from the training. Wright stated, “This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is so great to see our county agencies collaborate to improve systems for our youth. We look forward to the recommendations and lives that will be changed from this opportunity.”

Riverside County Probation earned the opportunity to participate by demonstrating a history of successful cross-agency collaboration, stable organizational structure and leadership, along with a commitment to ongoing data collection with a goal of measuring and sustaining future improvements. Riverside County Probation is one of only five agencies chosen to participate from across the United States out of more than sixty agencies that applied. If chosen, agencies were also required to select a team of individuals to attend the training who hold authority within their agency, as well as a youth who has personal experience with the juvenile justice system. Riverside County Probation was thrilled to be joined by collaborative partners from the Riverside Juvenile Court, Public Defenders Office, District Attorney, and a Community Based Organization leader. Also joining the Riverside County Probation team is one of the original youths who participated in the Pathways to Success Program, one of the programs that helps youth who are in our care.

Riverside County Probation plans to use the training received and the continued technical assistance from the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform of Georgetown University to enhance our integrated services delivery, with the goal of shortening the length of juvenile justice system involvement. The department also seeks to substantially decrease the amount of time it takes to link youth and their families to community-based support and services.

The Riverside County Probation team attended the certification program the week of June 10th through June 14th, 2024, which featured intensive instruction and discussion with researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.

See RCP career opportunities at https://bit.ly/3GZ8hQ9
Learn more about RCP at https://rivcoprobation.org/