5th Annual Youth Development Services College Summit
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College summit is an all-day event that offers youth with a probation history the resources to improve their circumstances through post-secondary and vocational education opportunities.
Statistics show what probation officers have known all along: that education is the key to success. An Emory University study show that as an ex-offender’s education attainment rises, their recidivism rates are lowered.
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On February 15, 2018, the 5th annual YDS scholars college summit commenced with over 70 colleges, universities and community based organizations from all over the state of california. Over 200 probation and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) foster youth were in attendance.
Workshops on housing, health, College Life 101, and employment were provided. Youth applied on the spot for financial aid with the assistance of representatives from the California student aid commission. Clothes the Deal, a Downey-based non-profit organization, provided interview clothing for all attendees and April Love Makeup Pro Academy provided makeup tutorial for both work and play – including a tutorial on how to cover tattoos, which is often needed to improve employment opportunities. Free tap cards and other services were provided, as well.
We were also honored by the attendance of the First District - Board of Supervisor, the Honorable Hilda L. Solis. Supervisor Solis met with numerous youth and probation staff, delivering an enthusiastic and motivational speech as our keynote speaker. Her history and compassion for probation youth was evident as she praised their efforts and encouraged their success. Supervisor Solis presented the YDS – Independent Living Program with recognition for 5 years of outstanding service to Los Angeles County.
Congratulations to the founders and organizers of this program, DPOs Alan Brown and Claire Roberson!
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Left to right: Supervisor Hilda Solis, DPO II Yadhira Quintana, YDS Independent Living Program Coordinator, SDPO Monique Chanaiwa, YDS-Independent Living Program.
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Don't Let This Probation Department Overhaul Sit On the Shelf
By the LA Times Editorial Board
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Photo from the Los Angeles Times
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AFSCME Local 685 encourages all staff members take a look at this summarization of many reports and studies produced by the probation department and think deeply about what they are trying to achieve.
"A report on the Los Angeles County Probation Department that comes before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday makes many astute observations, but one in particular stands out: So many reports, studies, motions and reviews of the troubled department have been filed and shelved in the last several years that the officers who staff juvenile halls and camps and who supervise adults as an alternative to jail just assume that nothing will change — and proceed accordingly.
Is this one more of those reports? Two years and $1 million in the making, this one could easily wind up gathering dust, like, for example, the report on probation oversight that was written following months of countywide hearings in 2016 only to be round-filed without a public airing by the Board of Supervisors, or the 2010 "Back to Basics" report completed when the department was in the all-too-familiar position of being between leaders. Or the department's three-year strategic plan, which generated significant enthusiasm from staff but was never actually implemented — leaving staff feeling like suckers for participating in the time-consuming process.
This may be — perhaps it ought to be — the board’s last best chance with probation.
The supervisors can't let that happen again. They have made significant changes in the way the county delivers services to people in crisis, including medical care, mental health treatment and housing, but systemic changes in probation have so far eluded them. That leaves a giant hole in what should be a comprehensive system of programs to lift people out of poverty and poor health and away from criminality and illness, and toward successful employment and participation in society. The 500-plus pages by the consulting firm could, if read closely, help the Probation Department reinvent itself.
Across the nation, probation departments are turning away from their historically punitive approach to both youth and adults drifting into crime and are instead embracing rehabilitation, not because it is in vogue but because mounting evidence demonstrates better results — less criminal recidivism, for example, and better success in life. The Los Angeles County Probation Department is not absent from that revolution —was a milestone in re-envisioning juvenile probation services — but its successes have come in fits and starts. The new thinking has yet to penetrate department thinking and culture."
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Penny the Lab Sniffs Out Stash of Guns, Ammunition at Glendora Home During Probation Search
By Jonathan Lloyd
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A Labrador retriever named Penny hit the jackpot when she and her handler were conducting a probation compliance check Wednesday at a Glendora home.
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March
Stewards' Council Meeting
March 29; 7:30 PM
April
General Membership Meeting
Apr. 12; 7:30 PM
Stewards' Council Meeting
Apr. 26; 7:30 PM
Location*
AFSCME Local 685
3701 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 510
Los Angeles, CA 90010
*Pursuant to our Local 685 Constitution, the General Membership meeting has been fixed on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Local 685 Union Hall at 3701 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 510, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (except November and December/1st Thursday of the month).
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AFSCME Advantage
Being an AFSCME member doesn’t only get you an advantage at the bargaining table – it also gets you access to discounts and benefits that can help make life a little easier.
- Auto Advantage
- Scholarships
- Health Services
- House & Home
- Insurance
- Legal
- Money & Credit
- Travel
- Union Shopping
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AFSCME Local 685 Constitution
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Article I:
Name
The name of the Local shall be Los Angeles County, California, Probation Department Employee Local Number 685 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.
Article II:
Affiliations
This Local shall be affiliated with California District Council Number 36 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.
Article III:
Objectives
The objectives of this local union shall be to carry out on a local basis the objectives of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the following additional objectives and methods:
A. To promote the organization of workers generally and public employees in particular.
B. To advance the social, economic, and general welfare of its members.
C. To foster and promote a liberal and progressive public attitude toward probation services.
D. To promote efficiency in public service generally and to cooperate in providing efficient service.
E. To extend and uphold the principle of merit and fitness in public employment.
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AFSCME is working for you with AFSCME Free College, which has provided
over $15 million in scholarships to help more than 7,000 of our union sisters and brothers
and their family members work toward earning their college degree.
You can now extend this opportunity to your parents and siblings, as well as to your spouse or domestic partner, children, grandchildren (no matter where they live) and financial dependents. Just make sure they know your AFSCME number to enroll.
With AFSCME Free College, you can earn your associate degree online from Eastern Gateway Community College — a public, accredited institution that is part of the University System of Ohio — so your credits will be transferable. The college also gives credit for prior learning.
We’ve added two new areas of study:
Labor Studies
Classes include:
- Introduction to Labor / American Labor Movement
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Plus Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Accounting, Marketing, and more.
Find out how you and your family can take advantage of this amazing benefit, with no cost to you.
Your union dues are not used for this benefit, and no loans are needed!
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