Sonoma County Probation Camp

Established in 1955, Sonoma County Probation Camp is a 24-bed, three-phase, short-term correctional treatment facility under the administration of the Probation Department for 16 to 18 year old males committed by the Juvenile Court. The program concentrates on confrontation of anti-social/illegal behavior and thinking patterns in an effort to get the youths to take responsibility for their decisions and behavior. The primary goal is the individual development of basic personal, social, academic and vocational skills necessary to survive in modern society, toward becoming responsible, productive adults.

A significant component of the Probation Camp program is vocational training in woodwork, welding, and food service. Wood, metal and recycled products are available for purchase.

The Camp also implements the Home Treatment Program (HTP) with Juvenile Probation; a program which serves up to 20 placement wards and families with multiple in-home family support services, accountability and counseling. The ultimate goal of the HTP program is to avoid long-term placement for the youth at a two-thirds reduction in costs.

The Probation Camp also administers the Supervised Adult Crew (SAC) program. SAC completes Parks and Public Works projects with adult offenders doing work in lieu of jail, paying restitution to the community and offsetting their debt to society in a responsible, productive manner. This is a Probation Department Correctional Industries Concept (4024.1 - 4024.2 Penal Code). Currently, there are 10 SAC Mobile Units (90-100 offenders) working on Community Restitution Contracts with 15 government agencies.

In summary, the Probation Camp provides:

• A reality-oriented behavioral modification system able to confront and correct individual personal/social problem areas. The youth must progress through an average six-month residential phase, two-month transition phase, and then complete a 30-day community phase prior to release from Camp and termination from Juvenile Court.
   
• A wide variety work experience program in cooperation with many County departments, State Parks and industry, resulting in the development of primary constructive occupational skills and providing a service to the community and a savings for the taxpayers of the County in work hours completed by the Camp.
   
• A fully equipped industrial woodworking/metal shop provides the experience in the operation of many hand and power tools and equipment necessary for employment in industry or construction fields. Residents may receive Camp Employability Skills Competency Certificates in Work Ethics, Welding, Wood Working, Food Service, and Landscaping and become certified, OSHA approved, forklift drivers.
   
• An inexpensive placement program (in comparison to other resources throughout the state) with more client service program components available than any known program.
   
• Academic Education includes an individualized focus toward obtainment of the GED and/or High School diploma. Special Education Services are available. All Camp youth are required daily to focus on their current and future educational needs toward community survival.
   
• Individual and family counseling for each youth. Staff with State MFT licenses and two contract co-therapists (as needed) are available. Specialized drug counseling is also provided to the Camp residents. Private psychological and psychiatric services are contracted as needed.
   
• A year-round Wilderness Experience Program, which includes backpack trips, cross-country skiing, white water trips, deep sea fishing, takes place throughout the state during all seasons for residents who earn this privilege.
   
• Involvement with local industries provides realistic vocational training, selective job placement upon referral from Camp staff, and production contract work. Camp youth compete in the Skills USA vocational competitions that take place on the regional, state and national levels.
   
• Involvement with Parks, Public Works, Schools and other government agencies on contract work for educational work projects, teaching construction skills, and generating income to supplement the educational components of the Camp Program.
   
• A comprehensive resident and staff training program to enhance individual emotional, social, vocational growth, and general program development.
   
• A modern greenhouse where its maintenance and operation are taught to selected residents. Fresh vegetables are provided at the Youth Camp. Gardening and fruit trees provide saved tax dollars through supplementing the Camp’s food budget. Residents may receive Camp Employability Skills Competency Certificates in Landscaping.
   
• A complete Food Service/Catering/Culinary Arts program is offered to all youth, including ordering, menus, and preparing and serving food. All cooking and baking are done by the Camp residents under the instruction of a professional Chef. Residents may receive Camp Employability Skills Competency Certificates in Food Services.
   
• A victim restitution component is available. During a resident’s stay, he will pay up to $500 to the victim (if one exists). 95% of all victim restitution Court orders are completed while a resident is at Camp.
   
• Furloughs home can be earned by residents ranging from 6 hours to 36 hours per week as determined by responsible behavioral change, public safety, and time in program. Furloughs are a privilege, not a right.
   
• A Grievance Procedure, a Resident Council, and Staff Step Board deal with problems and progress of individuals and program, and a variety of complaints.
   
• The drug/alcohol treatment component consists of ongoing drug therapy (individual and groups), NA support groups, tied with family counseling and the above program components.
   
• A Job Obtainment Skills Training Program, in cooperation with the Sonoma County Job Link, is provided to enhance filling out job applications, interviews and job market awareness. 100% of Camp youth obtain employment prior to graduation from the Camp program.
   
• A working program whose constructive impact on the offender, the community and the victim can be measured.

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