How to determine the best Rehabilitation option

When you are placed on Juvenile Probation based on your charges on your intake meeting your Probation Officer will then come up with a rehabilitation plan for you. Your Probation Officer is a profession, they are not going to put you in intense drug counseling if you do not have a history with drugs, or they see no sign of usage. You may however routinely get drug tested because that is part of the expectations on juvenile probation. Your rehabilitation plan will co-inside with the reason you are on probation. Everyone most likely has a fine pertaining to your charge/ charges; you are either paying compensation to the government or to the victim. This is most likely required to be paid off before you are successfully off probation; it is part of your rehabilitation plan. Here are a few options your P.O decide on what to go with.

(Broad fashion of rehabilitation) Specific fashion will reason with specific state and city

1. Counseling- this could be anger management, academic counseling, drug and alcohol, family therapy, social skills building etc.

2. House arrest-you would be required to wear a wrist or ankle bracelet that will verify your location at all times.

3. Curfews- you would be given a time by your P.O. to be in your house by the specific time they gave you, sometimes you may have to call your P.O. and give verification (check-in). They may even come and check themselves to see if you are in be curfew.

4. Community Service-given community service you will have a number of hours you have to work for your community or for another.

If a juvenile is suspected of violating a probation order, the probation officer notifies the court, typically by filing a "violation of probation" notice. If the judge finds that the minor has unquestionably violated the terms of his probation, the court can withdraw the probation option and impose a harsher sentence, such as incarceration at a detention facility.

How to Dress Professionally

 As a Probation Officer you will need to know how to dress professionally especially on days while you’re in the office because those are the days that you will appear in court and meet with outside services. You are probably thinking then what will you wear on other days. Well Probation Officers always have a professional/ authoritative look to how they dress. The pictures to the left show what a typical female and male should look like on a office day. The other days you will be out visiting the juveniles on your case load at their schools, homes, or involved with other activities. Those days will call for more of a professional casual look. You may also have polo shirts and jackets from the juvenile probation department you work for that will have a specific logo on them that you may also wear on your out of office days. Such like the picture underneath the two on the left. This would be considering the setting you are working in. Which is the first step on how to dress professionally.

2. Have a variety of appropriate shirts. For men button ups and polo’s in solid, plaid or striped pattern are recommended. Also consider ties. Ties should have no more than 3-4 colors in them if you are wearing a patterned tie. For women, silk blouses and button ups are recommended. For both men and women shirts may be short or long sleeved.

3. Have a variety of appropriate bottoms. The theme is the same for men and women, black, navy blue, khakis, or brown pants. On the dressier side women may wear knee length skirts, solid or slightly patterned, striped dress pants. Dress pants for men also should be solid, or lightly striped. Some dress pants may be grey and then have a darker grey stick up and down the pants (men and women) or the entire suit (men).

**Suits and dresses are also a plus

4. Have a variety of jackets/ sweaters. Men can choose cardigans, blazers, or a sporty coat/ jacket such like the one you will have from the department. Women can wear layered sweaters, cardigans, and structured jackets or also the sports coat from the department.

5. Have a variety of the right shoes. Most and majority of shoes need to be close toed shoes for both men and women. Women may have a small variety with a few open toes heels. Along with those women should have other types of heels, flats and casual lace up shoes.  Men should always have a type of lace up shoe, never wear on slip ons. Dress shoes for men should be leather.

A few things to avoid: jeans, accessories, showing body modifications, repeat outfit wear, and non matching ensembles

Always keep in mind: the weather change, keep your clothes in good condition and not to be too revealing.

How to become Aware of Teen Drug Use

Many if not most parents of teens worry on their teen experiencing drugs and alcohol. It can be an extremely rough time to get through for both the teen and parent. That is why it is very important on how the parent/ adult approaches the situation. You first want to observe and "keep an eye out" for what I will mention below.

1.     Change in appearance (one of the first steps)

2.     Failing grades (drastic drops)

3.     Watch for altered eating habits and altered sleeping habits (insomnia)

4.     There is major change in interests and attitude (they may become more rude and rebellious, also refusing to do chores unless they are paid, and may also neglect their old hobbies)

5.     Watch for who they hang out with and how often they ask for money( they may bring home new friends and neglect their old ones)

6.     At all times consider their moods and take notice to their eyes (they may have dilated pupils, red eyes, or may even carry eye drops on them to try and cover up how their eyes look)

7.     Watch and see if your teen is spending more time away from home (ask them where they are going and who will be with them)

8.     When your teen is coming home from being out over night, a few hours, or even a very short amount of time, be aware of their smell on their clothing or breath. They may smell like perfume or cologne, trying to cover the scent of alcohol or drugs

Overall, watch for boredom, it is a major warning of all teen drug use

How to become aware of Teen Drug Use

How to know what goes into a Juvenile Progress Report

As a Probation Officer you will need to have frequent progress reports on the juveniles that are on your case load. You will interview and observe the probationers regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing their goals and maintaining their specified orders in their rehabilitation plans. You will need to include negative behavors and  positive behavors. It could be such like the juvenile cleaning garfetti off community property as community service or it could be a juvenile violating their probation, getting arrested, and ending up in juvenile detention. Depending on State, City, and County you are working for the types of progress reports and  the expectations of those progress reports may vary.

What to include:

•  Progress areas ( future plans, short term and long term goals)
•  Areas of needing improvement
•  Medical and Mental health issues 
•  Educational Progress and status               
•  Only attach if necessary: Police reports, medical reports, drug test results, therapist results and     certificates

Make sure your report is factual, balanced, including all information, be clear, and non judgmental. The shorter the report the better. 

How to develop good Communication Skills

We use communication every day. Most of our days consist of communication. We rely on this element to deliver and receive signals and messages amongst one another, verbally and nonverbally.

You first need to have courage in what you think because it affects what you say. Some things may not be important to this person but may be important to the next person.

Practice your communication socially then to professionally. Engage your audience and make eye contact. Use gestures, but do not send mixed messages. Make sure your words, facial expressions, your tone, and your gestures match. Always be aware of what your body is saying. This is very important when you’re communicating professionally. 

 Pronounce your words correctly, speak clear and use the right words; do not use a word that you are unsure of the meaning. Use different tone periodically, be careful of the setting it may cause others to perceive differently. Lastly use the right volume and do not speak to fast or to slow.

Your communication needs to be affective towards the juveniles on your case load, when you appear in court, writing reports and while interacting with other professionals.

 Here is a chart that gives an idea of how many delinquents are on juvenile probation that do need to be communicated to properly. Your case load my consist of 20-30 juveniles if not more.

How to get an Internship

Before this post I did not know much about internships or how to get an intern. So I would like to share some information on internships and then how to get one. It is something that I did not mention in my first post, on how to become a Probation Officer.

An intern is a student or a trainee that works without pay at a trade or occupation, to gain work experience. A internship is a pre professional work experience that provides students, recent graduates, to gain knowledge in their particular career field. Sometimes for students, the internship may earn them college credits. For the recent graduates, it is a way to try the job out without permanent placement and to give a real life experience. Receiving an internship gives everyone help on enhancing professional and personal development. Which may give you more confidence going into your career field.

You can get an internship, you first want to develop and have ready an effective resume and cover letter. Also, a list of references and a letter of recommendation. Then you will be ready to inquire about an internship by visiting your college career services or if your college has one, the Internship Programs Office. You can also go online to Internships.com to apply and for more resources. This also applys to those who want to go out of state or country. Also, you may find opportunities in job ads and career fairs. Some employers are interested in free labor and there you would have an internship. With career fairs, ask about possibilities of an internship. You may have to give a minute or two speech on what you have to offer.

It would be nice to send thank you cards out to those who helped you get your internship!

I included a two minute video on how to prepare for an internship interview below

How to gain trust with Adolescents

As a probation officer or even a parent of a troubled youth you need to have a secure relationship with the children you are working with. This will give them comfort that you are actually there for them and also to help them improve their decisions in their lives. All juveniles on probation feel threatened of their probation officer in one way or another. Feeling as if they are the ones "out to get them". Not realizing that it is their job to help them through and make sure they stay out of trouble and make sure the youth's are doing what they are supposed 
to be doing while on juvenile probation. 

Five ways to build trust
1.Be Reliable
Do what you say you will do. Backing down to many times will demolish your foundation you have with these kids.
2.Be Honest
Tell them how you feel about their decisions and actions. You want to ask them on how and what they feel too.
3,Be Open
Share experiences, yes as a probation officer you have your boundaries between your personal life and profession but you can use substitutes when sharing experiences.
4.Keeping Confidence
Let them know, you know they have lied. You are also letting them know it is the best decision to admit it. You can better help them they know, you know the truth. You will know when they have lied and when they are not.
5.Show Integrity
Show that you will take the right action if necessary. They need to be held accountable for their actions.

How to help adolescents make better decisions

As a Probation Officer or even a parent of a troubled youth, you will need to help your child or juvenile delinquent make better decisions throughout their adolescent years. They may feel "torn", overwhelmed, stressed and many other feelings with just the smallest decision. As a juvenile on probation they have to be careful of those small choices/ decisions they make or have to make, because it could lead into more trouble, which they do not need. Or it may help them and they may get positive results.

Taking the first step, help them clarify what the decision involves. Allowing for them to do what is next, and that is looking at all the alternatives. You as the adult will guide them through. They will be ready to make the best possible decision. Not all decisions will be secure and solid. So the last step would be then to determine the consequences and then evaluating the whole decision. 

How to become a Probation Officer in the state of Pennsylvania

You will need to first earn a college. Which is usually a bachelor's or master's degree. Depending on employers they may require a work experience of 1-2 years. Majoring in criminal justice, social work, psychology, counseling will be the best to study in.  may begin looking for a hiring department.

You then may begin looking for a hiring department and may start the hiring process. You do want to make sure you fulfill the general requirements. The general requirements vary in every states. Most states require you to be 21 years of age through 37 years of age when first applying. Passing a criminal background check, drug test, physical and mental health exams are also required. Recent hired Probation Officers must complete the training program that is sponsored by the government. If you are wondering the training consists of a few weeks in classroom instruction. You also will go through in state codes, court probation procedures and pass a certification test. Also, there may be a week or weeks of basic officer and firearm training. This is depending on the state.

A reminder: is some Probation Officer's possibly have to complete education course occasionally throughout their careers. * It is very important to be up to date with job requirements and new information so you are doing your job right.

Key Skills in the field are: communication, critical thinking, sound judgment and organization.