Various organizations honored L.A. County Probation and the Department’s employees in 2018 for their work, programs, and dedication. Here are a few of the highlights from 2018: L.A County Productivity and Quality Awards Program Under the theme, “Innovating for Impact,” Probation took home several awards at the 32nd Annual Los Angeles County Productivity and Quality Awards. The awards honor County Departments that demonstrated innovative productivity and quality improvement efforts. Out of 66 submissions from more than 20 Departments, Probation received four awards: Gold Eagle Award In partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Probation contributed resources and staff to make the Parks After Dark program successful. The summer program provides youth with a safe, fun, and entertaining venue in 33 L.A. County community parks. These festival-like events include food, games, live concerts, and free or low-cost services offered by community-based organizations. Awards, Honors, Accolades Top Ten Award Campus Kilpatrick’s L.A. Model was chosen for its innovative program that aspires to revolutionize juvenile rehabilitative treatment. The award-winning model features a more holistic, personal, and less punitive approach to addressing the needs of youth on probation. National Association of Counties (NACo) Awards NACo’s annual Achievement Awards honors innovative and effective county government programs from across the country that strengthen services for residents. This year, Probation received Achievement Awards for two programs: Passive Alert Canine Detection Program Developed by L.A. County Probation, the Passive Alert Canine (K9) Detection Program operates the largest such program in the nation. K9 teams specifically trained in the detection of narcotics and/or firearms, assisting probation officers during searches of felony offenders’ residences, efficiently increasing the discovery of controlled substances and/or weapons. Campus Kilpatrick’s L.A. Model NACo also honored Campus Kilpatrick’s L.A. Model with an achievement award for its juvenile rehabilitative service and facilities. In partnership with other County Departments and the L.A. County Office of Education, Probation successfully opened the first cottage at Campus Kilpatrick in July 2017. K9 Unit and Handlers Honored as “Heroes of the Week” Penny, Lola and Chloe — the dogs that make up Probation’s Canine Detection Unit — and their handlers were named “Heroes of the Week” in April 2018 by NBC4 News as part of their “4 Our Heroes” segment. During filming, the dogs detected a large cache of ammunition and weapons as part of a compliance check at a probationer’s residence. L.A. County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Probation Services Week In July, Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl honored the Probation Department and its employees with a county scroll for its continued service to the residents of Los Angeles. The acknowledgment came in conjunction with the national celebration of Pretrial, Probation, Parole Supervision Week, recognizing the people who work in the probation field to make our communities safer. Approximately 150 Probation employees as well as two of the Department’s three K9 unit dogs attended the Board of Supervisors meeting. Chief Terri L. McDonald thanked the Probation Department employees and lauded their work, sacrifice and commitment to serving the people of L.A. County. “To our citizens [of L.A. County], we represent you,” Chief McDonald began. “The team of probation staff here represent the more than 6,000 men and women who work every day to keep our communities safe, rebuild families and restore lives. And, to the Probation team, I thank you for your hard work. You have very tough jobs and you do them with courage, humanity, and dignity every day.” The Kitchell Project Award Presented by the Western Council of Construction Consumers The Western Council of Construction Consumers honored Probation’s Campus Kilpatrick with the Distinguished Project of 2018 award for the architectural design during its annual Owners Project Excellence Awards in October. Campus Kilpatrick received high marks for its sustainability and innovative use of resources. County Image Enhancement Award In addition to winning the Top Ten Award and the coveted Golden Eagle Award, Parks After Dark also won the County Image Enhancement Award for the program that best shines a positive, proactive spotlight on L.A. County. Mega Million-Dollar Award Together with the Public Defender’s Office, Probation won this award for the Client Assessment Recommendation and Evaluation (CARE) program, a holistic approach to juvenile legal services that has greatly reduced recidivism. CARE has assessed and linked clients to critical services related to mental illness, intellectual or developmental disability, special education, commercial sexual exploitation, homelessness, trauma, abuse and neglect. The Mega Million-Dollar Award recognizes programs that generate the most cost savings, cost avoidance and/or revenue for the County. L.A. County Probation Department | 2018 Annual Report 63 62 L.A. County Probation Department | 2018 Annual Report