Voices of Youth Justice: A Q&A with Monterey County Deputy Probation Officer Aileen Bravo

Jul 24, 2024 | Voices of Youth Justice

Voices of Youth Justice: A Q&A with Monterey County Deputy Probation Officer Aileen Bravo

The Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR)’s mission of providing comprehensive services for young people involved in the youth justice system relies on collaboration across various agencies. We talked to Monterey County Deputy Probation Officer, Aileen Bravo about the vital partnership between OYCR and Monterey County, the positive impact of the services provided by OYCR, and her vision for the future of youth justice in Monterey County. 

Can you tell us more about your role as lead probation officer in Monterey County? 

As a Probation Officer, my current assignment is to supervise clients assigned to our Secure Youth Treatment Facility. I monitor their compliance, ensuring they do not pose a threat to the community and provide them with the services they need to be successful. I facilitate their reintegration into the community by connecting them with essential resources and services. This includes helping them enroll in college or vocational school, assisting with the application process to obtain social services, employment search and connecting them with collaborative agencies that can provide additional resources to promote a high success rate and reduce recidivism. I work with the client, Behavioral Health staff, medical providers, education advocates, and the youth’s family (when requested) or chosen support system, to ensure that they are making progress through their case plans and that they’re ready for release back to our community. 

 

How did the collaboration between your department and OYCR begin? 

My collaboration with OYCR began at a meeting attended by representatives from the OYCR for one of our clients. At this meeting, I learned about the extensive resources and support services they offer. This prompted me to contact Cecilia Simmons, OYCR’s County Liaison. Since then, Mrs. Simmons has been exceptionally helpful, going above and beyond to ensure our clients’ goals are met. 

Photo of Deputy Bravo

What specific initiatives or programs have you worked on with OYCR to support youth involved in the justice system?  

OYCR has provided a wide range of services for my clients. With OYCR, we have a monthly meeting where we discuss each client, we talk about their goals, progress, and service needs. OYCR has helped with employment services, re-entry, educational/vocational, life skills, referrals to agencies that have provided financial assistance, guidance on navigating day-to-day responsibilities and they have followed up directly with the service providers when they are not following up with myself or the client.

 

Are there any upcoming initiatives or programs you’re excited about? 

Yes, we just started working with Sharp Circle, a program designed to promote independence, higher education, financial literacy, and pro-social skills.  

 

What positive changes have you observed in the youth you’ve worked with through these collaborative efforts?  

The number one change has been the restored trust from our clients. This working relationship has given them hope and confidence in our support. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to following through on our promises and providing them with all the resources we offer, encouraging clients to accept and engage with the services available. 

 

How can other counties work toward achieving the same positive outcomes? 

By recognizing that each client we supervise has unique goals and service needs. OYCR provides access to a variety of resources that cater to these specific needs. By partnering with OYCR, we can connect our clients with the appropriate support and services, ensuring a personalized approach to their supervision. Maintain open communication and introduce clients to what OYCR has to offer. They can significantly enhance support for clients. Regular monthly meetings have been instrumental in accessing additional resources and guaranteeing accountability for both agencies. 

 

How do you envision the future of youth justice in Monterey County and beyond? 

Monterey County has always been forward-thinking, consistently promoting change while adhering to legal mandates. As indicated in our mission statement, we prioritize innovative supervision methods to ensure community safety and to prevent and reduce the impact of delinquent behavior. Our Secure Youth Treatment Facility model is truly individualized which we’re confident will lead to better outcomes for youth that are part of our program. We can specifically target the goals for each youth and provide guidance and support during the time when they are dealing with difficult situations and subsequently when they are thriving and accomplishing their goals.