The Alternative Treatment Caseload (ATC) Program provides evidence-based supervision caseloads using a Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) intervention paired with the utilization of Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques; for moderate to high risk offending adult clients. Clients participating in the ATC Program are assessed using the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) assessment tool. The LS/CMI provides the client’s risk level of re-offending as well as other factors. Deputy Probation Officers (DPOs) use the assessment information to develop individualized case management plans, which includes participation in a CBT intervention. The CBT intervention is a structured curriculum and experiential interactive journal writing process that increases client motivation for change and guides offenders in their decision-making skills for pro-social behaviors. It specifically addresses the criminogenic risk factors identified by the initial LS/CMI assessment. Through this process, clients self-identify, self-confront, and seek to alter the attitudes, values and thinking patterns that once led to inappropriate, anti-social behaviors. As a result, clients are once again connected to their strengths, capabilities and personal responsibilities for changing their lives.
The ATC Program is set apart from traditional supervision caseloads in that it is a collaborative effort between the client and the DPO, with intensive supervision set at the beginning of the program. The DPO strives to build a therapeutic alliance, continually engaging with the client throughout the term of supervision through the use of MI. Client contacts are more frequent, lasting approximately one (1) hour each session, with significant interaction between the client and DPO working through the interactive CBT journals.
As specific program benchmarks are obtained, intensive supervision requirements are often reduced in an effort to reward clients for positive progress and program compliance. Clients are gradually transferred back into traditional supervision caseloads following the completion of the ATC Program. Finally, the ATC Program is further supported by the Staff Support and Development Unit (SSD) which provides quarterly DPO MI and CBT assessments, further offering on-the-spot feedback and coaching, on-going quality assurance inspections and review of program statistics and data trends.