Kara Sanders
Springfield,TN
Summary
Results-driven criminal justice professional seeking a challenging position focused on developing and implementing system-wide, evidence-based practices. Brings a strong track record in program development, effective supervision strategies, and offender reintegration initiatives. Proven success in enhancing community safety and achieving positive outcomes through innovative, performance-based approaches. Adept at expanding knowledge, integrating complex concepts, and strengthening programs through data-driven strategies. Recognized for exceptional ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships and collaborative networks across all levels of the system.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
U.S. Probation Officer
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2017 - Current
- Support federal courts in the Middle District of Tennessee by applying federal statutes to criminal cases, utilizing risk assessment tools, and implementing core correctional practices. Supervise approximately 60 offenders across a seven-county area—including Fort Campbell Army Post and both urban and rural regions—through a satellite office. Monitor compliance, report violations to the courts, and adjust supervision based on dynamic risk factors.
- Relationship building with offenders, assessing living conditions and case background information to develop continued compliance and success on supervision utilizing risk indicators and evidence based practices response.
U.S. Probation Officer, Reentry Specialist
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Contributed to the development of the Re-Entry Court program by designing cognitive behavioral treatment resources and implementing a comprehensive participant assessment process. Delivered program materials to the Court with professionalism and subject matter expertise, supporting informed decision-making and program success.
Program Administrator
Missouri Center for Education Safety
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Led efforts to improve school safety and enhance Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) for K–12 public and private schools across Missouri. Facilitated training with School Resource Officers, Superintendents, Safety Coordinators, and other key stakeholders. Developed sustainable evidence based programs to institutionalize school safety statewide. Reported to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on strategic planning, vision development, school safety assessments, and evidence based curriculum design for the School Safety Academy.
Senior U. S. Probation Officer, Treatment Specialist- DATS and MHTS
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Served as the primary point of contact for treatment services across the district, supporting all probation staff. Managed, developed, and monitored vendor contracts while overseeing the treatment services budget to ensure alignment with program objectives. Assessed the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, connecting them to appropriate services. Streamlined the contracting process across a thirty-five-county district, improving efficiency and service delivery.
U.S. Probation Officer, Intensive Supervision Unit
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Assigned to the Intensive Supervision Unit, overseeing violent high-level offenders, including sex offenders, gang members, and other high-profile cases. Ensured compliance with state and federal laws and conditions of release through comprehensive community monitoring, investigation, and enforcement strategies.
U.S. Probation Officer, Post-Conviction Supervision
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Support for the federal courts in the Middle District of Tennessee through researching and applying federal statute regarding federal criminal offenses. Utilize risk prediction tools in conjunction with core correctional practices and report outcomes of non-compliance to the courts on pre-trial and post-conviction offenders. Supervised approximately forty-five persons under supervision.
Drug Court Cooordinator | State of Tennessee
Office of Criminal Justice Programs
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Developed and implemented the statewide program for the Drug Court Treatment Act of 2003, providing strategic support to local courts in creating comprehensive evidence based sustainable treatment programs
- Managed state revenue reporting for Drug Courts and grew the state Drug Court budget from $65,000 to $200,000 between 2003 and 2005.
- Led grant coordination and budget development for new and existing Drug Court programs across Tennessee, focusing on strategic planning in criminal justice
- Managed federal criminal justice grants, including the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) and Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant programs, totaling over $3 million annually.
- Successfully increased RSAT funding by 20%, and developed a new statewide program to support expansion.
Responsible for annual grant applications and federal reporting to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). - Conducted fiscal and program monitoring to ensure performance-based outcome compliance.
Education
M.PA - Public Administration
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee01.2003
B.S. - Criminal Justice
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee12-1994
Skills
- Assertive communicator
- Program development
- Cognitive behavioral training
- Field supervision
- Risk and needs assessments
Affiliations
- Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals
- Tennessee Achieves Mentor Volunteer - 2018
- First Chance for Children, Board Member - 2015-2017
Certification
- ADDCA ADD Coach Academy- Certified ADHD Coach 2023-present
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Practitioner Certification – 2015
- National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), School Safety Office Certification - 2015
- FEMA-Emergency Management Institute-NIMS/ICS Certified 100, 700,800, 362, 366 - 2014
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), U.S. Probation Officer Certification - 2006
Timeline
U.S. Probation Officer, Reentry Specialist
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2018 - 01.2019
U.S. Probation Officer
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2017 - Current
Program Administrator
Missouri Center for Education Safety
01.2014 - 01.2017
Senior U. S. Probation Officer, Treatment Specialist- DATS and MHTS
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2012 - 01.2014
U.S. Probation Officer, Intensive Supervision Unit
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2009 - 01.2012
U.S. Probation Officer, Post-Conviction Supervision
U.S. Probation Office, Middle District of Tennessee
01.2005 - 01.2009
Drug Court Cooordinator | State of Tennessee
Office of Criminal Justice Programs
01.2000 - 01.2005
M.PA - Public Administration
Tennessee State University
B.S. - Criminal Justice
Middle Tennessee State University
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