Probation Partners with Office of Diversion and Reentry Throughout 2018, Probation worked closely with the Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) to develop referral processes for services focused on providing comprehensive mental health, substance use, housing, intensive case management, and cognitive behavioral intervention services for adult felony probationers. This partnership facilitates the clinical and community-based services that can reduce substance use, stabilize mental functioning, and reduce criminal and unlawful behavior. Probation arranges for assessments with qualified clinicians that provide probationers with a comprehensive menu of services specifically tailored to their needs including mental health and/or substance abuse treatment. The Department then links clients to community-based providers who will carry out their rehabilitative treatment plan. Developing a permanent supportive housing program for clients who are homeless, mentally ill, and/or suffer from substance abuse was another major effort in 2018. The program provides resources to pretrial defendants and reentry clients who have adult felonies. The ODR pretrial program attempts to resolve criminal felony cases early, diverting defendants granted probation into ODR Housing and collaborating with programs run by the Department of Health Services in order to provide services to their clients in custody. Probation operates the following programs in collaboration with ODR: Women’s Integrated Services Program (WISP) Started by Chief McDonald, this multi-agency partnership coordinates and connects adult female clients with programs and services prior to community release. To date, WISP has serviced over 796 probationers and non-probationers in custody. Innovative Employment Solutions (INVEST) This multi-agency partnership addresses the need of employment services in the transition from incarceration to careers that can provide productive employment and income for establishing a stable lifestyle. Breaking Barriers Breaking Barriers is a community-based, rapid rehousing program that guides clients to gradually assume rent payment based on their income and Probation program participation. ODR Housing This program offers permanent, supportive housing to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health, and/ or substance abuse disorders who are incarcerated in the L.A. County Jail. To date, over 650 clients have been released into the program. Court to College The Department’s collaboration with the Norwalk Superior Court and Cerritos College allows approved clients to attend college or obtain their high school diploma as a condition of their probation. County Support Specialist Team This collaboration among County departments assists homeless offenders in accessing ODR programs by providing housing, treatment, and health care as needed. Breaking Barriers to Adult Education For many adult probationers, attending college seems out of reach. In 2018, the Probation Department’s Education Court to College Success Story Three years ago, a young couple’s drug habit took a turn toward dealing. The two young people’s futures looked uncertain until Probation’s Court to College (C2C) program offered them an opportunity. In college, they found their relationship could motivate their academic success, competing to see who can maintain the highest grade point average. They seized the opportunity to enroll in college and in 2019, they will work on campus thanks to C2C job placement. Having completed the terms of their probation in December 2018, these two standouts have become mentors and presenters to other C2C clients. Services Unit helped to demystify the college enrollment process, explain tuition assistance options, and present educational opportunities available. In 2018, adult clients had the opportunity to tour East Los Angeles College which included an introduction to the on line enrollment process and one-on-one assistance with completing the schools’ application. The clients also participated in group discussions with both previous and current students who had been justice-involved and whose life experiences mirrored their own. These sessions have proven to be both meaningful and influential, giving clients hope and inspiration to succeed. “This collaboration gives our clients both the courage and resources required to embark on a new path to achieve a postsecondary education.” — Senior Director of Education Services Jesus Corral L.A. County Probation Department | 2018 Annual Report 49 48 L.A. County Probation Department | 2018 Annual Report