63T-1.003. Juvenile Probation Officer Responsibilities

(1) Pre-Commitment. At disposition, the JPO will address the youth’s post-commitment supervision status with the court. If ordered, post-commitment supervision includes either post-commitment probation or conditional release. Otherwise, the youth will be a direct discharge.

(2) Case management of youth in residential commitment. The supervising JPO must identify potential roadblocks to the youth’s successful transition and submit the information to the treatment team within the first 60 days of placement. Regardless of post-residential supervision status, all youth shall benefit from the department’s transition planning process. The JPO must:

(a) Participate in intervention and treatment team meetings unless written authorization is obtained in advance from their supervisor. If the JPO does not participate in person, telephonically, or through web-based video phone, they shall follow-up with the residential case manager and youth within three working days of the meeting.

(b) Contact the youth’s parent or guardian at least once per month via in person meeting, telephone, or web-based video phone during the youth’s placement. If the youth is 18 years of age or older, they may request, in writing, their parent or guardian not be contacted. Each contact will be documented in JJIS case notes. These contacts must be transition focused and used to identify any unaddressed family needs that may inhibit a successful transition.

(3) Transition. The treatment team shall consist of all program staff involved with the youth, the JPO, the youth, the youth’s family, and other community members invested in the youth’s success. The transition plan is a comprehensive document outlining the steps a youth must take to successfully transition back to the community including post-residential services and court ordered sanctions. The JPO, or designee, must participate in the transition conference, via in-person, telephone, or web-based video phone, held in accordance with paragraph 63T-1.004(1)(a), F.A.C. The JPO, transition liaison, and treatment team shall ensure that:

(a) Living arrangements have been identified for the youth;

1. If a youth does not plan to return to the county or circuit with jurisdiction, the receiving circuit’s JPO will host the community reentry team meeting. The sending JPO will complete the case summary and participate in the community reentry team meeting.

2. The JPO in the circuit with jurisdiction shall arrange a courtesy supervision request within 10 working days of learning of the relocation request. Courtesy supervision is performed by department staff outside the county of jurisdiction due to the youth’s relocation.

(b) Transportation arrangements from the program to their home or pre-determined location have been made. If the family is unable to provide transportation for the youth, the JPO and program staff shall determine responsibility depending on the following factors:

1. Youth who live within 75 miles of the commitment program – Transportation home will be provided by program staff.

2. Youth who live more than 75 miles but less than 300 miles from the program – The youth will be transported by the program to a location pre-arranged with the youth’s Juvenile Probation Officer, who will then take the youth the rest of the way home. The meeting point for the transfer of the youth must be flexible so that the round trip can take place within 8 hours.

3. Youth who live 300 plus miles from the program – The program will register the youth with the local regional detention center for transport. The residential commitment program will transport the youth to the local detention center who will then transport the youth to the detention center closest to the youth’s residence. The JPO will coordinate with the parent or guardian to ensure the youth is met at the receiving detention center. If the parent or guardian is unable to provide the transportation, and the JPO has exhausted all other sources, the JPO will complete the transport.

(c) Outstanding service needs and interventions are identified. These needs may include mental health or substance abuse treatment, educational and vocational training services, mentoring, employment assistance, childcare, and Medicaid eligibility;

(d) A case summary is presented to the CRT;

(e) Contact information for the youth’s Department of Children and Families case worker (DCF) or other agency staff working with the youth is obtained if appropriate; and,

(f) The information on the Pre-Release Notification (PRN) provided by the program is correct and is forwarded to the court of jurisdiction within three working days of receipt.

1. If the court does not respond to the PRN within 10 days (14 days for adult court) the JPO will fill out section E as the PRN will be considered approved.

2. In the event a youth is committed in two separate jurisdictions, the JPO and program must ensure PRN’s go to both courts prior to release.

3. If the JPO and commitment program cannot come to an agreement regarding the youth’s PRN, the decision must be raised up through the chain of command for both Probation and Residential Services. The final decision would then become the responsibility of the two Regional Directors or their designees, and then if needed, the Assistant Secretaries or their designees.

(4) Exit. Finalization of the action steps required in the transition plan is completed at the Exit Conference. The JPO or designee must participate in person, telephonically, or if available, through web-based video phone in the exit conference held in accordance with paragraph 63T-1.004(1)(b), F.A.C. At this conference the JPO confirms that they have:

(a) Verified the youth’s living arrangements;

(b) Confirmed transportation arrangements; and,

(c) Confirmed addresses and appointment times for community based treatment and services as well as educational or vocational services. This information shall be provided for placement in the youth’s exit portfolio.

Rulemaking Authority 985.64 FS. Law Implemented 985.433(7)(c), 985.435, 985.46, 985.601(3)(a) FS. History‒New 6-11-13, Amended 8-19-21.