Media Contact: Kerri Webb, Public Information Officer
kerri.webb@probation.lacounty.gov, (562) 315-3388
For Immediate Release:
September 7, 2018
(L to R) Intermediate Typist Clerk Carmen Banks, Program Analyst Sonya Battey, Senior Secretary III Patricia Rodriguez, and (Top) Supervising Program Analyst Rahman Williams of Probation Education Services
There is a saying that ‘if you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there’. That is often the case for individuals on Probation as well as their families. They need some tools to succeed but often lack the resources to know how to take those first steps down a different road.
Having heard this message from probationers and their families, the Los Angeles County Probation Department is active in the community sponsoring events designed to provide a road map to a variety of resources and assistance.
Probation employees, community based organizations and representatives from several L.A. County Departments transformed the parking lot of Probation’s South L.A. area office into a resource center for AB 109 clients on August 23rd. Over 30 vendors including the L.A. County Office of Education, the L.A. County Library, L.A. County Registrar-Recorder, Southwest College, Jenesse Center and Impact L.A. provided information about educational and career opportunities, access to legal assistance, and other areas where clients might need some support. The fair connected over 100 Probation clients to opportunities and vital services.
“I feel like incarcerated people have more chances now”, said Carlos, an attendee at the event, “Before we were looked down upon but now we are getting more rehabilitation and education. Today I found several programs that I need to help me move forward with my life. Ever since I got incarcerated I started reconsidering all of my options. I took it upon myself to make changes and think differently because it’s not about me anymore, it’s about my family. My goal is to get my GED out of the way and get my Class A driver’s license because I want to become a truck driver.”
Angela Gomez represented the Los Angeles County Office of Education and provided job information to AB109 clients.
Face Painting at Central Juvenile Hall Parent Resource Fair
The parents and guardians of youth who are currently in juvenile justice or correctional programs are also in need of information and assistance as they navigate through a difficult period. Central Juvenile Hall recently hosted a Parent Resource Fair as a result of questions raised by the parents and guardians of Probation youth who attend family counseling meetings that take place at the County’s three juvenile halls.
The Parent Resource Fair provided parents and guardians a “one-stop shop” of resources and valuable information about services available from a multitude of government, non-profit and community agencies. Topics that were addressed at the fair include: mental, physical, and public health, parenting classes, domestic violence counseling, art and music opportunities, summer internships, gang prevention, job training, health insurance for undocumented families, employment opportunities, voter registration, and LGBTQ support groups. Face painting and other activities were also available for the young and the young at heart.
At the end of the day, parents were able to walk away from the event with the tools to support their child and a better idea on what resources were available to strengthen and assist their families. Parent Resource Fairs will take place at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall (Sylmar) and Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall (Downey) later this year.
“It is the Probation Department’s goal to connect clients and their families with the organizations who can provide tools and assistance to enhance their rehabilitation and healing,” said Chief Probation Officer Terri L. McDonald. “I’m impressed with number of clients and families that have taken the time attend these events to plan for a better future. Equally as impressive is the number of employees, volunteers and County partners who are committed to the success of our clients and the communities we serve.”
