Probation & Parole Officers

Supporting Youth for Success

The Role of the Probation & Parole Officers

Probation and Parole Officers (PPO) work in OJJ’s regional offices. They are the primary contact with youth and their families. The PPO assists youth and families in navigating the juvenile justice system. He/she supervises, advocates, refers and coordinates services for youth and their families, which assists them in becoming productive citizens. The PPO helps youth adhere to the conditions set forth by the court and holds youth accountable for his/her actions. PPOs provide consistent management of services based on youth’s individual needs.

Duties and responsibilities of PPOs are extensive and varied. A PPO may:

• Conduct a risk/needs assessment
• Serve as case manager
• Make recommendations for probation and parole conditions
• Assist youth in understanding and complying with the court order
• Hold youth accountable for conditions of the court order and the service plan
• Obtain additional information (health and school records, birth certificates, social security cards, etc.)
• Develop the Individual Service/Reintegration Plan (ISP) based on needs identified in initial assessments and review with appropriate staff and providers
• Maintain regular contact with the youth and family, according to supervision standards
• Build a working relationship with the youth’s family to promote successful service delivery
• Conduct consistent curfew checks and/or home visits
• Conduct drug screens within 30 days of case assignment and regular intervals according to the level of supervision
• Serve as the link between home, community, school and the juvenile justice system
• Coordinate services to provide educational, vocational, and treatment opportunities for youth to obtain skills, promoting successful maintenance within the community and/or reintegration into the community
• Possess knowledge of services provided by community-based programs, residential, and secure care treatment programs