The Behavioral Health Supervision Unit (BHSU) was established to create a therapeutic approach with clients. The team consists of probation counselors, community resource specialists providing re-entry services, and behavioral health specialists focusing on treatment services. The team addresses challenges supervised by our team by building and maintaining the foundation needed for stability, sobriety, and rehabilitation. We do this using evidence-based practices, targeted interventions, and leveraging community resources. This program will utilize the following:
A. Client-centered approach to supervision: A client-centered approach to supervision for a probation counselor means focusing on each client's individual needs, strengths, and circumstances. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the probation counselor tailors their guidance, support, and interventions to the specific goals and challenges of the client. This approach emphasizes building a positive, trusting relationship, actively involving the client in decision-making, and encouraging self-awareness and personal responsibility. It also consists of strategies that empower the client to participate in their rehabilitation and progress actively, ultimately promoting better outcomes for their reintegration into the community.
B. Partnership with Comprehensive Healthcare: The program is built around a partnership with Comprehensive Healthcare, which has integrated a Behavioral Health Specialist into the unit. Their role is to collaborate with probation counselors to offer clients immediate, direct, and impactful access to treatment services.
C. Evidence-Based Practices: ORAS Risk Assessment System is a tool used to assess the risk and needs of individuals under supervision in the criminal justice system. It helps probation officers and other professionals evaluate the likelihood of reoffending and identify areas where the individual may require support or intervention. The system includes various assessment scales that address factors like criminal history, substance abuse, mental health, and family dynamics, among others. The goal is to inform decision-making regarding supervision levels, treatment plans, and interventions to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation outcomes.
D. Case Plans: The purpose of a case plan is to outline a structured, individualized approach for a client’s rehabilitation and progress. It serves as a roadmap, identifying the client's goals, needs, and the specific actions or interventions required to address them. A case plan typically includes goals related to reducing risk factors, improving behavior, accessing treatment or services, and fostering personal development. It helps guide the work of professionals involved in the client’s care and ensures that progress is regularly monitored and adjusted as needed, ultimately aiming for successful reintegration into society or the achievement of treatment goals.
E. Case Staffing: The purpose of case staffing is to bring together a team together to review a client’s case. During case staffing, team members collaborate to share information, assess the client’s progress, and determine the best course of action for ongoing support and interventions. The goal is to ensure a coordinated approach, address any emerging concerns or barriers, and make decisions about the client’s treatment, supervision level, or next steps, ultimately working toward achieving positive outcomes for the client.
F. Community Outreach Coordinator: The role of re-entry in supervision is to provide structured support, guidance, and resources to individuals as they reintegrate, with the goal of reducing recidivism and promoting long-term success. This role focuses on those destabilizing factors that could result in a client recidivating. Some of the most common areas of focus are housing, employment, driver's license issues etc.