Juvenile Probation and Community Programs
Probation programs
Youth involved in sex-related offenses receive special supervision and services, including:
- Psychosexual evaluations
- Individual and group therapy
- Anger management
- Victim awareness
- Social skills training
- Treatment services
- Polygraph exams
Youth meet regularly with their probation officers for support and accountability.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
The goal of School-Based Supervision is to work with schools to provide alternative consequences to suspension and expulsion and to provide a quicker response to juvenile offenders who exhibit in-school behavioral problems.
School-Based Supervision seeks to increase attendance and reduce truancy for juvenile offenders.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
This program is for females who are at high risk to reoffend. Supervision focuses on issues that often affect women, such as trauma and victimization.
The program helps participants build skills in decision-making, self-confidence and healthy relationships with family, friends and the community. Clients meet with probation officers both one-on-one and in group settings.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
Juvenile Drug Treatment Court supports youth involved in the justice system who struggle with substance use. The program works with youth and families to reduce drug and alcohol use, support recovery, and improve long-term success.
Services may include:
- Chemical dependency treatment
- Aftercare
- Family support
- Community coaches
- Other culturally responsive services
These supports help youth build positive skills, strengthen family connections and stay stable in their community.
Community Corrections offers many cognitive programs to help with reasoning and decision making. Programming is led in a group setting by people formally trained and receiving ongoing coaching.
The courses are proven to help meet individual goals and the goals of the group.
A supervision agent works with their client to determine which program will be the best fit.
Each program explores different topics and skills, but each program explores key ideas to change thinking patterns and behaviors that resulted in trouble. The programs also improve quality of life by helping participants learn new skills, assist in emotional regulation, and learning new ways to solve problems.
Offered programs
Decision Points
Decision Points is made up of skill training and practice focused on decision making. The program is built on the “Strategy of Choices" and offers participants alternative ways to examine their thinking and actions that lead into trouble. Decision Points is comprised of four steps:
- Identify my thoughts and feelings
- Think about others who care what I do
- Think about choices — pick one
- Identify a motivating thought
Participants must master each skill step prior to moving on to the next skill. Learned skills are shown through a combination of written exercise outside of the group and role playing while in group.
The length of this program is based on individual progress. This program is open ended and allows for continuous enrollment of new participants.
Decision Points takes place one time per week and is offered only to males. There is no cost for this program.
VOICES
VOICES is an 18-session program to address the unique needs of adolescent girls and young women. This program encourages participants to seek and celebrate their “true selves" by providing a safe space, encouragement, structure, and support to embrace their journeys of self-discovery. The program is organized into the following main themes:
- Self-discovery
- Connecting with others
- Healthy living
- The journey ahead
The VOICES program builds on positive traits that are reinforced by both in-group and out-of-group exercises and projects.
This program takes place two times per week and is offered only to females. There is no cost for this program.
For more information, contact Shannon Olean, Community Corrections, at 651-554-6608.
Restorative programs
Community Corrections coordinates many programs and services to hold juvenile offenders accountable for their actions. They provide opportunities for positive change and help restore victims and the community.
New Chance is a court-ordered day treatment program for juvenile male offenders age 14–18 years. The 5–7-month program provides highly structured and intensive treatment, daily group behavioral therapy sessions, and transition support. While in New Chance, offenders continue their education at the on-site Riverside School provided through Intermediate School District 917.
Education services are individualized to offender needs and abilities, and they can earn school credits. If appropriate, offenders in New Chance can obtain their General Educational Development diplomas (GEDs). They also participate in behavior therapy groups to help them develop decision making skills and develop pro-social behaviors. Offenders receive employment preparation and assistance, and transition support is provided to all offenders as they finish the program.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
U-Turn Day Treatment is a shorter version of the New Chance Program, with a 30- to 90-day completion schedule. The U-Turn Program consists of education through the on-site Riverside School provided by Intermediate School District 917, daily group behavioral therapy sessions, and transition support.
As with New Chance, educational services are individualized to offender needs and abilities, and offenders can earn school credits. If appropriate, they can obtain their General Educational Development diplomas (GEDs). Offenders participate in behavior therapy groups to help them develop decision making skills and develop pro-social behaviors. Offenders receive employment preparation and assistance, and transition support.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
Systematic Family Therapy (SFT) is a family- and community-based service which provides family therapy in the offender’s home and community. A family therapist works with the juvenile and their family at home, in school, and in out-of-home placement to address behavior, mental health, chemical health and family conflicts that contribute to problematic behavior.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
Less intensive than System Family Therapy, Community Reintegration Services (CRS) is also a family- and community-based service provided by a contracted vendor. While a family therapist works with the juvenile and family at home, in school, and in out-of-home placement, meetings are held less frequently. As with SFT, the goal is to address behavior, mental health, chemical health and family conflicts that contribute to problematic behavior.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
The Wraparound Program serves juvenile offenders with mental health and chemical dependency issues. Dakota County arranges for a facilitator to work with an offender and his or her family to assess strengths and culture, and to assemble a support team of relatives, school staff, other professionals and family friends. The team meets regularly to develop sobriety and crisis plans.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
The Culturally Specific Community-Based program is a home and community based program for young African-American offenders and their families that provides an Afrocentric curriculum aimed at helping participants develop pride, feelings of accomplishment, hope, and understanding of their cultural identity. The program also assists offenders in learning how language, culture and discipline differ in home and school settings.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
Community Work Service is a court-ordered consequence for criminal activity that repairs harm done to the community. Juveniles must find and make arrangements with nonprofit community organizations, schools or churches to complete the court-ordered hours or work. In some cases, hours worked earn credit towards restitution that juvenile offenders owe to victims. Victims are then compensated out of a restitution fund.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.
Community Work Service forms
Community Work Service Agreement
Community Work Service Timesheet
Offender Repay Crews provide supervised and structured work crews for juveniles. The program is for those who are court ordered to perform Community Work Service or to pay restitution to their victims, but have been unable to complete their conditions. Crew leaders provide opportunities to contribute something meaningful to the community while developing job skills.
For more information, contact Dakota County Community Corrections at 651-438-8399.