Miami County Juvenile Probation officers work with adjudicated delinquent and unruly youth who have been placed on probation by the Judge or Magistrate. The department’s mission is to assist a youth to behave responsibly. Youth are closely monitored in an effort to identify problem behaviors, potential negative influences, and other risk factors. Juvenile Probation officers use case management techniques and individualized assessment and treatment plans to assist the parent and child in making the needed changes and to protect the community. A probation officer will help the youth and their family obtains needed services through other agencies within the community, such as mental health counseling, anger management classes, drug and alcohol intervention, etc.

The Juvenile Probation Department has several programs that work with first time offenders and unruly youth. Some of the programs such as the Family Program, the curfew and tobacco diversion program and the Mediation Program are intended to divert youth from the criminal justice system. The department also offers a specialized program for younger and first time offenders called prevention supervision.

The Family program works with youth who are first time offenders or have been charged as unruly juveniles because of behaviors such as school truancy, running away, and violating the rules set by their parents or school officials. These youth and their parents are offered treatment and educational programs instead of appearing in court. If a parent and youth successfully complete the program, no charge is formally filed with the Court.

The Mediation program offers eligible juveniles the opportunity to participate in a process designed to help the youth and complainant discuss and resolve issues in a mutually acceptable manner. Volunteer mediators with training in the mediation process meet with the youth and victim and guide them through a problem solving process. The program offers youth the opportunity to restore loss to the victim and take responsibility for one’s own behavior. If the medication is successful, no charge is filed with the Court.

The Prevention Supervision program works with unruly youth, first time offenders, or very young offenders. Youth served in this program have been formally charged and adjudicated. They are ordered into the program by the Judge or Magistrate. The Prevention Officer works with the youth and his/her family to obtain needed services in the community. Prevention Officers uses a variety of techniques to strengthen families, improve communication and manage youth behavior.

The Community Service Program is designed for youth that have been ordered by the Court to perform community service hours as a consequence for their behavior. The Restitution program allows youth to work restitution to reimburse victims for their losses. The purpose of these programs is to hold juveniles accountable for their actions by requiring them to participate in a work program that gives back to the community. It also promotes appropriate work and employment skills. Both youth on formal probation and those informally supervised by the Court can be enrolled in the program. Youth work at sites in the community and are supervised by part-time and seasonal court staff. Current worksites include: local nursing homes, city and county municipal buildings and football stadiums. Work is scheduled in late afternoon, weekends, and on school vacations. For more information call 440-5970.

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