I.
The
recommended caseload size of an Aftercare Officer is eighteen (18)
juveniles. The caseload may not exceed
twenty-five (25) juveniles.
II.
Aftercare
services begin when the placement decision is made. Aftercare services should be provided while the juvenile is in
placement and for a six (6) month period following release from placement,
unless the juvenile is discharged sooner or supervision is extended by the
Court.
III.
Within thirty
(30) days after a juvenile is assigned to aftercare supervision the Aftercare
Officer shall complete a written aftercare treatment plan based on information gathered from the
juvenile, parent(s)/guardian(s) and placement facility. The treatment plan shall provide balanced
attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability
for offenses committed, and to the development of competencies.
It is essential that the goals set forth in this plan are
consistent with the goals established in the treatment plan developed by the
placement facility.
IV.
The Aftercare
Officer shall attend the initial treatment staffing and release staffing
conducted by the placement facility.
V.
The Aftercare
Officer shall visit the placement site once a month to meet with the juvenile
and appropriate program staff (i.e., supervisor, houseparent or
counselor). These visits should be
designed to enable the Aftercare Officer to establish a working relationship
with the juvenile, monitor progress and to initiate and implement aftercare
planning.
Less frequent visitation schedules may be approved by the
Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission on a facility-specific basis.
VI.
The Aftercare
Officer shall maintain monthly contact with the parent(s)/guardian(s) while the
juvenile is in placement to provide information regarding the juvenile's
progress and to initiate and implement aftercare planning.
VII.
The Court
shall require that the placement facility provide the following: a written
treatment plan which is developed within thirty days after the juvenile enters
placement and which provides balanced attention to the protection of the
community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed, and the
development of competencies; written monthly progress reports or, where
appropriate, written quarterly progress reports; and written release summaries
that include a post release plan.
VIII.
Prior to the
juvenile’s release from placement, the Aftercare Officer shall complete a
written post release plan that provides
balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of
accountability for offenses committed, and to the development of competencies
which outlines post release goals for the juvenile and how they may be
attained.
IX.
Upon the
juvenile’s release from placement, the aftercare officer shall contact the
youth and significant others (i.e. school, parent(s)/guardian(s), employer,
other agencies providing services) at least once a week until the juvenile is
stabilized in the community. These
contacts may be reduced upon the approval of the Chief Juvenile Probation
Officer, or designee, and shall be noted in the case record together with the
rationale for the reduction in service.
X.
Aftercare
cases shall be reviewed on a monthly basis by the Aftercare Officer and the
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, or designee.
The review will be utilized to determine progress toward achieving the
goals and objectives set forth in the aftercare treatment plan, and to
determine whether modifications to the plan may be appropriate.
XI.
A
chronological record of all contacts shall be maintained and include, at a
minimum: the name of the person
contacted; the title/relationship of this person; the date of the contact; the
time of the contact; the location of the contact (school, home, etc.); the type
of contact (face-to-face, telephone, etc.); and a summary of the contact.