Los Angeles County Probation Department

Juvenile Field Services

The Juvenile Field Services Bureau (JFSB) provides investigation and supervision services to juvenile offenders and their families throughout the County of Los Angeles. These identified services/programs support the Department’s mission to promote and enhance public safety, ensure victims’ rights and facilitate positive behavior change of juvenile probationers. Additionally, staff assigned to these programs serve as an arm of the Juvenile Superior Court and recommend appropriate dispositions while preserving and enhancing the family unit, whenever possible.

The Juvenile Field Services Bureau consists of staff assigned to 17 field offices and includes the following programs:

Community-Based Supervision (CBS)

CBS DPOs supervise juveniles placed on community probation supervision. DPOs are assigned to designated communities and work with minors, families, schools and other relevant resources to evaluate the minor’s progress and monitor compliance with court orders. DPOs focus on providing case management services (assessment, orientation, contacts, service referrals, violations, court reports, etc.) to youth and their families.

Drug Court

Juvenile Drug Court is designed to provide an alternative to the current juvenile justice proceedings and an integrated system of treatment for youth and parents within a drug court setting to reduce substance abuse and criminal behavior by program participants and to assist youth in becoming productive members of the community, thus promoting public safety.

Dual Supervision

The juvenile Dual Supervision Case Management (DSCM) Unit supervises minors under legal jurisdiction of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), through Dependency Court who are placed on court ordered probation. Minors receive joint supervision and case management services from DCFS and Probation.

Juvenile Court Investigation

Juvenile Investigation Deputy Probation Officers perform juvenile investigation work and provide reports to Juvenile Court that assist judicial officers with making proper dispositional orders. DPOs conduct in-depth investigations and prepare detailed reports, including recommendations supporting the needs of the minor, considering the safety of the community and ensuring victim’s rights.

Juvenile Mental Health Court (JMHC) – Special Needs Court

JMHC is designated to initiate a comprehensive, judicially monitored program of individualized mental health treatment and rehabilitation services for minors who suffer from diagnosed mental illness (Axis I), organic brain impairment or developmental disabilities.

Pregnant and Parenting Teens Program

Due to the need for female gender specific services, the Los Angeles County Probation Department has created a pilot program of Pregnant and Parenting Teens (PPT) caseloads (Kenyon Juvenile Justice Center and San Gabriel Valley Area Office) that will address particular issues and problems affecting pregnant and/or parenting female juvenile offenders who are currently on probation. It is the Department’s expectation that by offering an array of gender specific services to the identified number of female minors, these services will provide each youth with a specific means to access positive gender identity and successfully complete their probation.

Special Investigation Unit (SIU)

Conducts joint investigations and provides reports for Delinquency Court to assist in making proper dispositions for minors also under the jurisdiction of the Dependency Court. This unit collaborates with staff from the Department of Children and Family Services and Department of Mental Health to make recommendations to determine which status will best serve the interests of the minor and the protection of the community.

Teen Court

Teen Court offers an alternative sanction in the form of a diversion program for first time juvenile offenders in lieu of delinquency proceedings. The court consists of a volunteer judicial officer, a court coordinator (either a DPO or a Reserve DPO) and a jury composed of six peers. Probation collaborates with the court, other law enforcement agencies, schools, attorneys, and community-based organizations in this program.

Additionally, Retired Deputy Probation Officers, Reserve Deputy Probation Officers, college and university Interns, Student Professional Workers, Student Workers, and VISTO volunteers work within JFSB to enhance our provision of services.

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