PROBATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES: Director of Probation, Beth Williams (440-279-1852)

 The Court’s services to youthful offenders and their families emphasizes a commitment to meeting the needs of alleged delinquent and unruly children and juvenile traffic offenders within the community. With the support of the Youth Services Subsidy and RECLAIM grants, the court has been able to develop a variety of programs that enhance the continuum of services provided to juveniles and their families within Geauga County. The Probation staff utilizes the Ohio Youth Assessment Survey (OYAS) risk assessment to assist in determining levels of service intervention and case planning/goal setting to effectively target criminogenic needs of the youth. The Probation staff uses Carey Guides and Brief Intervention Tools (BITS), along with motivational interviewing techniques, to promote behavioral change among the youth participating in the program.

JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICERS: Stephanie Voss (440-279-1853) and Heather Mountsier (440-279-1837)

Juvenile Probation Officers manage a caseload of youthful offenders and is responsible for ensuring compliance with court orders, assessing client needs, initiating referrals to appropriate resource agencies, and maintaining related documentation, while promoting behavioral change. Each youth who is placed on probation is required to follow the conditions of probation. These conditions establish the parameters of acceptable behavior for the probationer. These conditions are enforced by the probation officer who, if necessary, files formal complaints for probation violations. Probation officers make regular contact with the youths, parents, schools, agencies, and others involved with the youths to assist them in making positive changes in their lives.

DIVERSION SERVICES: The Diversion Program is designed for non-violent misdemeanor offenders and unruly offenders with the exception of runaway episodes that exceed 24 hours in length. When a case is diverted, it is handled outside of the formal courtroom setting. Discretion to divert cases is provided for in the Ohio Rules of Juvenile Procedure. Diversion Services intervene in matters of alleged delinquency and unruliness absent the stigma of establishing an official court record

DRUG TESTING: Completed by hair sample or mouth swab analysis.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Juveniles are ordered to “replace the void” their offenses created in society by performing a designated number of hours working at a non-profit or government agency, either located by the juveniles or as part of the court’s organized community service work crews. Juveniles ordered to perform community service engaged in various projects under the direction of Chuck Giallanza, Work Crew Supervisor. This year, juveniles performed community service hours at various pancake breakfasts and fish fries throughout the County; with the West Geauga Kiwanis Club selling Christmas trees; and with projects at the Geauga County Fairgrounds, Chagrin Falls Park Community Center, the Next Steps Home, Eddy’s Fruit Farm, Rescue Village and at food pantries in the County.

RESTITUION PROGRAM: The restitution program is intended to hold juveniles accountable for their actions by ordering them to pay restitution to the victims of delinquent acts when damages were incurred. The court monitors court-ordered payments.

INTENSIVE SUPERVISON MONITOR: Provides an additional layer of supervision to clients identified as a high risk to recidivate or as an alternative sanction to filing a formal Violation of Probation.

ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM: Juveniles and adults ordered on electronically supervised house arrest wear an ankle bracelet that monitors their location via GPS around the clock