CWDS has been providing training and learning experiences to the County of San Diego Probation Department’s Youth Development and Community Support Services for 3 years. Our Probation partners are implementing national best practices for juvenile detention and community supervision by transitioning to a positive youth development framework that best supports youth on probation and their families. Through technical assistance from Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the local juvenile justice system is becoming a national leader in a strengths-based approach to youth treatment and rehabilitation. CWDS is very excited to be a part of training and equipping Probation staff and leaders to continue these efforts.
We have been providing positive youth development classes such as:
- Adolescent Brain Development and Behavior Management: Promoting Positive Youth Development within Juveniles Justice Settings
- Moving Towards a More Trauma-Informed and Responsive Juvenile Justice System
- Using Restorative Justice Practices to Build Community and Repair Harm
- Identifying and Managing Bias
This year we are partnering with several of our existing subject matter experts to develop and deliver curriculum in the following areas:
- Leadership and Supervisory Skill Development
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices
- Motivational Interviewing
- Engaging Youth with Mental Health Needs
- Strengths Based Case Planning
- Engaging Families to Support Positive Changes
We will also be collaborating with some other organizations that have tools and models that our Probation partners are in process of implementing. We will be building a pool of facilitators who can deliver training on these specific models. Additionally, we will begin to offer coaching services to Probation staff and leaders to support the practice and application of new skills in daily work. Our Probation partners have demonstrated a deep commitment to youth, families and the community. They are taking concrete steps to shift the way the work is done so that youth and families are better supported in making positive changes. If you are an existing trainer, facilitator or subject matter expert and would like to explore opportunities to provide services to our Probation partners, please reach out to Dawn Schoonvhoven Scott at DSchoonhoven@sdsu.edu.
