The 2026 Transforming Juvenile Probation Certificate Program Kicks Off this Week!
Posted in Announcements News
We are incredibly excited by the inspiring kickoff yesterday to this year’s Transforming Juvenile Probation Certificate Program! Six teams from across the country will spend this week with us, each united by their drive and commitment to fundamentally redesign probation into a targeted, development-focused intervention that promotes personal growth and long-term success for young people.
However, we know there is no “one size fits all” solution to the needs of youth. Here’s a recap of each team’s specific goals:
- Augusta, GA aims to transition from a compliance-driven structure to a developmentally responsive framework, exploring graduated responses, early service engagement, and enhanced community partnerships to safely reduce reliance on technical violations.
- Hinds County, MS is focused on shifting toward a community-integrated system of care. The team plans to explore the expansion of credible messenger mentorship and centralized enrichment hubs to connect young people with educational, workforce, and behavioral health supports that foster positive development and community safety.
- Metro Nashville & Davidson County, TN seeks to build a robust, system-wide framework of evidence-informed practices. The team hopes to align cross-agency efforts to ensure court interventions are consistently effective, developmentally appropriate, and supportive of long-term youth success.
- Sacramento County, CA intends to redesign its probation case planning process into a multidisciplinary, youth- and family-guided model. By utilizing shared decision-making frameworks, the team aims to provide individualized support and accountability that keep youth safely and productively engaged in their communities.
- Santa Cruz County, CA is dedicated to expanding collaborative “off-ramps” from the justice system, prioritizing early interventions and centering the voices of those with lived experience to ensure fair, responsive, and effective outcomes for all youth navigating the system.
- Memphis & Shelby County, TN aims to safely reduce its reliance on secure detention and electronic monitoring by expanding pre-adjudication alternative disposition models. The team is focused on expediting connections to targeted community services, ensuring that interventions are efficient, safe, and aligned with positive youth development.
While these initial goals provide a starting point, the true work of transformation is iterative. During their time in Washington, D.C., and through a year of dedicated technical assistance, these teams will actively collaborate to shape, refine, and expand their visions into actionable, cross-system Capstone Projects.