Connecticut had 2,178 juvenile detention admissions in 2012 alone, which highlights the demand for well-qualified juvenile probation officers in this New England state.
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Connecticut’s juvenile delinquency services are provided at both the judicial and executive branches of state government. The Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) provides both corrections and aftercare services, while the Court Support Services Division (CSSD) provides both detention and probation supervision services. However, both the DCF and the CSSD have strategic and collaborative plans in place to ensure the seamless delivery of all juvenile services in the state.
In Connecticut, probation officer jobs involve working through one of the Division’s specialized units:
- Low risk – Low-risk offenders placed on non-judicial supervision or probation
- Gender responsive – Special needs of girls, including special education advocacy, family mediation, the effects of trauma
- High risk/gang-involved – Reserved for serious juvenile offenses and gang involvement
- Early intervention – Supervision for children under 12
How to Become a Juvenile Probation Officer in Connecticut:
Requirements and Training
All new juvenile probation officers in Connecticut must complete 144 hours of pre-service training through the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division. Some of the coursework and programs covered during pre-service training include: intake, assessment, and referral; basic officer safety; juvenile law and legal issues; and supervision.
Thereafter, probation officers in Connecticut must complete at least 40 continuing education hours on an annual basis.
Although the minimum qualification for those interested in learning how to become juvenile probation officers in Connecticut is a high school diploma, the preferred qualification is a bachelor’s degree in one of the behavioral or social sciences.
Court Support Services Division (CSSD)
There are 13 court offices that make up the CSSD, all of which have assigned probation officers. Juvenile probation officers conduct intake risk assessments of all juveniles entering the probation system and classify them according to their evaluation.
Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is responsible for making the decisions regarding the release of juveniles from placement. The parole officers and community outreach professionals work to provide services targeted at community reintegration. As such, in addition to parole supervision services, many of the juveniles under the care of DCF are also involved in a number of community-based and therapeutic programs.