Welcome to eFocus, an electronic newsletter produced by the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA). As part of DPCA's goal to promote public safety through probation services and other community corrections programs, it publishes this newsletter. We welcome your suggestions.
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eFocus, Issue Number 55, April 16, 2007
NYS Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
Robert M. Maccarone, State Director
Thomas H. Slater, Executive Deputy Director
Laura Bauer, Editor
http://dpca.state.ny.us
In this Issue
1. Caseload Explorer Training and Enhancements
2 DPCA releases TANF for Community Corrections RFP
3. Fundamentals of Probation Practice (FPP) Scheduled
4. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Funding Available
5. DPCA implements streamlined Quarterly ATI Reports
6. YASI/Caseload Explorer Integration Commences
7. Probation Field Intelligence Officers’ (PFIO) Focus Group Convened
8 Shared Services Programs Report Out
9. Awards and Events
1. Caseload Explorer Training and Enhancements – Automon, Inc. continues its series of
monthly “live meetings”, held the third Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM EST. Each session focuses on a different aspect of the Caseload Explorer Application. Probation Officer Rodney
Glasspoole of the Allegany County Probation will assist with the next training and provide insights
of the end-user. Probation Officer Glasspoole is also a member of the Forms and Reports
Workgroup that has recently developed several reports including the Violation of Probation and
Quarterly Reporting forms. The training sessions are a valuable resource and participation is
encouraged. Future trainings are scheduled as follows: April 18th - Client and Associate
Functionality; May 16th - Case Attributes and Functionality; June 20th – Tasks and Events; and
July 18th – Word documents and mail merge. Please contact Walter Cogswell at
Walter.Cogswell@dpca.state.ny.us with questions.
2. DPCA issues TANF RFP for Community Corrections -- DPCA will fund up to four new
programs ($150,000 each) to work with eligible custodial or non-custodial parents whose
household incomes fall below 200 percent of the federally established poverty level. Targeted
services include job preparation, employment, job retention and family reunification and parenting
skills. The deadline for the receipt of proposals is 4pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. Program
applications received after the due date must be returned unopened. Questions may be directed
to Bernard Wilson at bernard.wilson@dpca.state.ny.us.
3. Fundamentals of Probation Practice (FPP) Scheduled-- The next FPP Training has been
scheduled for May 21-22, 2007 (OSST), May 23-25, 2007 (POC) and June 11-15, 2007 and June
18-22, 2007 for the FPP. Nearly 50 probation officers applied for the 25 available slots; the
additional probation officers will be registered for the next FPP -- September 24-25, 2007 (OSST)
September 26-28, 2007 (POC) and October 15-19, 2007and October 29-November 2nd for the
FPP. Please contact Carolyn.Temple@dpca.state.ny.us for additional information.
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4. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grant Funds Available – DCJS has announced the
availability of one-time grants in the amount of $20,000 to strengthen coordinated efforts of Law
Enforcement in the reporting and prevention of violence against women. DPCA recommends that
probation departments consider applying for these funds to implement coordinated strategies with
local law enforcement agencies to review Domestic Incident Reports (DIR’s). The swift and
certain response to probationer behavior identified through the review of Domestic Incident
Reports can reduce violence against women and prevent victimization. The application deadline
is Thursday, May 17, 2007. Please see www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ofpa/newrfp.htm for
additional information.
5. DPCA implements streamlined Quarterly ATI Reports – DPCA and ATI Program Staff
worked together to design new simplified Quarterly Reporting Forms. The new forms have been
sent out to all programs and the response has been very positive. The new electronic forms
include automatic calculations and will soon be posted in the Probation Services Suite of
eJusticeNY. Please contact Jackie.Borne@dpca.state.ny.us for additional information.
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6. YASI/Caseload Explorer Integration Commences –DPCA Community Correction
Representative Norma Tyler and Warren County Probation Officer John Adams joined
representatives of Automon, Inc. and Orbis Partners, Inc. in Ottawa, Canada last week to develop
the Statement of Work that will guide the interface between Caseload Explorer and the Youth
Assessment Screening Inventory (YASI) Juvenile Risk and Need Assessment Instrument. The
goal of this integration is to bring case management and risk/need assessment tools to the
desktops of probation officers.
7. Probation Field Intelligence Officers’ (PFIO) Focus Group Convened -- More than 50
probation officers from across the state attended the April 3rd focus group to discuss the need for
policy guidance in implementing the Probation Field Intelligence Officer Model. A summary of
this information will soon be sent out to probation departments for their review and comment.
Please contact Gary.Govel@dpca.state.ny.us for additional information.
8. Shared Services Programs Report Out — Seven programs that identify, assist, supervise
and treat persons in the criminal justice system with mental illness attended this year’s forum held
on March 29th at the Offices of NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors in Albany.
Probation Directors from Albany, Cattaraugus, Erie, Lewis, and Madison Counties and Program
Directors of the EAC Bronx Mental Health Court Program and CASES NYC ACT Team presented
their findings. They shared challenges, lessons learned and successes over the five-year period
of operation. Collaborative efforts between Probation and Mental Health Departments and case
management available to assist participants in navigating through various systems of care and
developing support networks have been critical to their successes. Dr. Henry Steadman, Ph.D.,
Director of the GAINS Center presented “Sustainability Strategies” and Collie Brown of Human
Resources Research Organization spoke on “Integrating Services to Improve Outcomes for
Persons under Supervision”. Members of DPCA’s Shared Services Workgroup were also in
attendance and received certificates of appreciation for their important contributions to this
initiative.
9. Awards and Events
~ State Director’s Award Nominations Sought- The “State Director’s 2007 Award for
Outstanding Service by a Probation Officer”, is a formal recognition for a Probation 0fficer who
has demonstrated exceptional work within their department, the community and at the state
level. DPCA will present this honor to the recipient at the NYS Probation Officer’s Association
(POA) Conference to be held August 1-3, in Albany at The Crowne Plaza. Nomination forms are
available in the Probation Services Suite of eJusticeNY or by visiting our web site at
www.dpca.state.ny.us. Please submit nomination(s) to DPCA by Monday, May 14, 2007.
~ DPCA is providing scholarships for the second year to the NYS Probation Officer’s
Association Conference -- In recognition of the valuable training and networking opportunity
available for Probation Professionals at the Annual NYSPOA Conference, DPCA is pleased to
announce that Probation Officer’s Association Conference Scholarships are available to
Probation Officers to attend. Applications must be submitted, by Probation Directors or
Commissioners, to Howard Bancroft at DPCA by April 27, 2007.
~ First Annual “State Director's Award for Outstanding Collaboration Between Probation
and Social Services”- The First Annual State Director's Award for Outstanding Collaboration
between Probation and Social Services will be presented at the NYS Probation Officer
Association (POA) Conference. DPCA is establishing a formal recognition for a county team
comprised of a probation officer and social service worker that demonstrates exceptional work to
increase evidence-based services toward improving outcomes for youth and families. The award
will be made to two recipients representing probation and social service departments, who have
played significant roles in a cross systems partnership. Each recipient will receive a scholarship
to attend the POA Conference. Please help us recognize the collaborative partnerships by
individuals from probation and social services by submitting nomination(s) to DPCA by Monday,
May 14, 2007. Nomination forms are available on eJusticeNY or by visiting our web site at
www.dpca.state.ny.us.
~ DPCA welcomes Bill Schaefer to the DPCA Staff - Bill Schaefer has joined DPCA’s Training
Unit. Bill worked as a Domestic Violence Program Administrator at the NYS Office for the
Prevention of Domestic Violence where he was assigned to the Prevention, Training and Policy
Development Unit. He previously served as a Probation Officer in Albany County. Bill brings a
wealth of experience and expertise to DPCA.
~ DPCA Sex Offender Survey Management Report-Results and Recommendations
Released - The DPCA Sex Offender Survey Management Report-Results and
Recommendations are now available to probation directors and state and local criminal justice
policy makers. DPCA will issue a series of Research Bulletins and Policy Guidance on a bimonthly
basis to assist probation departments in managing sex offenders on probation
supervision. The purpose of the bulletins will be to provide information to local probation
departments on the availability, validity and usefulness of risk assessment instruments specific to
sex offenders as well as the latest research on investigation, supervision, technology and
computer assessments. The Management Report includes an Action Plan and identifies
challenges that once addressed, will lead to continued improvement. The valuable information in
this report will also guide DPCA in establishing program requirements for the distribution of $2.3
million in state aid reimbursement for sex offender management.” The Survey Management
Report is available on eJusticeNY in the Probation Services Suite under Reference Materials.
~ Workforce Development, Albany County Forging the Way - Matt Charton, Albany County
Probation Officer, is moving forward in his quest to create a safer community through quality,
sustained employment for probationers. Since receiving training as an Offender Workforce
Development Specialist in 2005, Matt has held eleven, five-week groups, of the 20-hour
employment curriculum, “Ready, Set, Work”. Eighty-five (85) probationers completed the
program, and 71 of those are employed (60 full time and 11 part time). Matt has achieved an
84% employment rate of probationers completing the “Ready, Set, Work” Program.
Congratulations Matt Charton and the Albany County Probation Department!
~ New York COMPAS Advances – DPCA’s consultant Northpointe, Inc. has trained nearly 118
probation officers from 48 departments in the use of the NY COMPAS instrument. The training
included material on the construction, statistical underpinnings, configuration, interpretation, and
application of the new instrument. Nearly 30 of the probation departments have now been
migrated to the production site of the New York COMPAS and utilizing the instrument for pretrial
services, investigation and supervision services. An additional enhancement will soon include the
creation of a Presentence Investigation Report for editing. Please contact
Walter.Cogswell@dpca.state.ny.us for additional information.
~ DPCA Convening Regional PINS/JD Forums – DPCA is convening three regional forums to
provide counties the opportunity to discuss County PINS and JD initiatives, OCFS/DPCA PINS
Plans and MOU approval process, Workgroup Panel on the proposed PINS Intake Rule, and the
planned JD Intake Rule Revision process (Part 354) in 2007. Meetings will be held: Tuesday,
May 1, 2007: 80 Wolf Road, Albany, 4th Floor Training Room; Wednesday, May 9, 2007:
Orange County Mental Health Department, Harriman Drive, Goshen NY; and Thursday, May 10,
2007: Ontario County Public Safety Training Center, 2914 County Road 48, Canandaigua NY.
Each meeting will be held 10am to 3pm, with a working lunch provided by DPCA. Please
register by contacting Patricia.Donohue@dpca.state.ny.us by April 20, 2007
~ Probation Recidivism Data by County Available - DPCA has provided the latest Probation
Recidivism Data for the period 1995-2005, defined as felony arrest of probationers for 12, 24 and
36 months following sentence. Felony arrests are broken down into VFO and Drug Offenses.
This information is broken down by County and includes a NYC-5 borough subtotal, a Non-NYC
subtotal and a Statewide Total. Probation Recidivism Data by County is available by visiting
eJusticeNY in the Probation Services Suite under Reference Materials, “Statewide Recidivism
Data by County”.
~ Gang Training Offered to Probation Officers - The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services
periodically trains police officers in current crime trends and investigative techniques. DCJS is
sponsoring one-day training seminars related to gangs. This current series is designed primarily
for police officers, correction officers, parole officers, and probation officers. For more information
and registration please contact James Hogencamp, DCJS Office of Public Safety at
james.hogencamp@dcjs.ny.gov
eFocus is the property of the NYS Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. Articles
may be reprinted with attribution to the Division. For more information on any of the topics
mentioned above, to report any difficulties you may have experienced receiving this email, or, if
you have information you would like posted in the next issue of DPCA's eFocus, please contact
Laura Bauer at 518-485-5166 or at Laura.bauer@dpca.state.ny.us
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