Family Advocate Program

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The Family Advocate program provides two retired probation officers who offer English language help and interpretive services for English and Spanish speaking families who attend court hearings in the juvenile courthouse. The officers explain and review court orders, provide information regarding custodial programs, provide Juvenile Hall visitation and home supervision information, and describe court ordered classes and community service options. The Family Advocates are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., during the high volume of morning court hearings. The families and minors leave the courthouse with a more detailed understanding of the court orders, such as what indirect contact means, what constitutes a weapon, and what is expected with a Fourth Waiver search condition. Most importantly, they have an understanding of what the juvenile court system and probation compliance requires. When the family of minors understand the juvenile justice system, the children who are having problems with the law are more likely to comply with probation and programs, and ultimately be successful. In a survey of 400 people who spoke with the advocates, 93 percent said they were “very satisfied,” and 92 percent said they had a better understanding of what was expected of them.