POA Conference - 2012
New York State recognized the Erie County Probation Department’s Warrant Squad and the Schenectady County Probation and Social Services departments for outstanding contributions to community safety and interagency collaboration at the annual meeting of the New York State Probation Officers’ Association.
The Erie County Probation 18-member Warrant Squad received the 2012 Award for Outstanding Service by a Probation Officer(s), while Schenectady County Probation Supervisor Timothy Ferrara and Social Services Family Assessment Supervisor Susan Farstad shared the 2012 Award for Outstanding Collaboration between Probation and Social Services for their work at the Schenectady County Center for Juvenile Justice.
Both awards were presented by Robert M. Maccarone, Director of the Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives at the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), during the conference, which was held at the Hotel Albany in Albany. Probation officers from across the state attended the three-day conference, which wraps up tomorrow. There are approximately 3,100 probation officers in New York State.
Schenectady County Probation Supervisor Timothy Ferrara and Social Services Family Assessment Supervisor Susan Farstad were presented with the 2012 Award for Outstanding Collaboration between Probation and Social Services for their work at the Schenectady County Center for Juvenile Justice.
Robert M. Maccarone, Deputy Commissioner and Director of OPCA presented Probation Director Brian McLaughlin and the members of the Erie County Probation Warrant Squad with the 2012 Award for Outstanding Service by a Probation Officer(s).
The Six Habits of Highly Effective Probation Officers - Research has demonstrated that certain services delivered in specific ways can be very effective when working with the probation population. This module will discuss what works best in effectuating change in individual behavior, including: 1) skilled probation officers using motivational interviewing, 2) cognitive behavioral interventions, 3) facilitating probationer employment, 4) applying graduating sanctions, 5) responding with appropriate rewards and -- what the research tells us is perhaps the most important tool to date….6) the effective relationship between probationer and probation officer; presented by Patti Donohue and Gary Govel, DCJS OPCA .
COMPAS is the Pathfinder - The utilization of the NYCOMPAS, a fully validated risk and needs instrument, points the way to effective case management. This module will illustrate the remarkable ability of NYCOMPAS to accurately predict the risk of probationer recidivism--as detailed in a recently completed DCJS study by Dr. Sharon Lansing, Ph.D., which examined the NYCOMPAS scores and re-arrest rates of nearly 35,000 probationers. NYCOMPAS emphasizes the importance of using instrument scores, and the identification of criminogenic needs to manage probation department caseloads and allocate resources appropriately; presented by Dr. Sharon Lansing, Ph.D., DCJS OJRP, Gary Govel, DCJS OPCA and Nancy Andino, DCJS OPCA.
Demystifying Interstate and Intrastate Transfers- Whether it’s county to county or state to state, the transfer process can be a challenge. This module will clarify the interstate transfer process by reviewing basics. The module will also explain the intrastate transfer process using real examples of how transfers work and will demonstrate how understanding the process can assist Probation Officers in being more efficient; Presented by the Manager of the Interstate Unit and Deputy Compact Administrator Matt Charton, DCJS OPCA, Kelly Palmateer, DCJS OPCA, and Nicole Aldi, DCJS OPCA.
The New Probation Supervision Rule—the Future of Probation in New York State - Probation Officers will be guided by the rule to utilize their valuable skills and resources in the supervision of higher risk probationers and provide incentives to promote offender behavioral change. This module will introduce new concepts such as Juvenile Contact Substitution, Stabilization Period, and Merit Credit. It will also present the new approach to case review/reassessment in the context of overall case management; presented by Gary Govel and Patti Donohue, DCJS OPCA.
Effectively Managing Juveniles in Their Own Communities– The evidence-based approach to juvenile supervision and management—the Juvenile Risk Intervention Services Coordination (JRISC) Program links enhanced supervision with proven community based programs that demonstrate effectiveness in reducing juvenile recidivism to both safely manage higher risk youth in the community and address their risk and need areas. The goal of JRISC is to measurably reduce recidivism among high risk PINS and JD youth at either the diversion or probation stage -- to achieve long term reductions in negative behaviors, delinquency and crime, detention, placement, and incarceration. This module will provide local probation departments with the how-to and knowledge to develop JRISC-like models in their counties, using the resources they currently have; presented by Patti Donohue, DCJS OPCA and Cathy Lane, Deputy Director Dutchess County Probation.
Effectively Interviewing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Offenders- This module will introduce viewers to the latest curriculum on effective interviewing techniques for probation officers who work with domestic violence and sexual assault offenders. An overview of accountability-based interviewing and documentation will be presented; presented by Bill Schaefer, DCJS OPDF