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.