Yhadira Barajas

As Acting Probation Corrections Supervisor I (PCSI) have volunteered to worked extra shifts during staffing crisis. In this role, responsibilities were to oversee the safety and security of living units, assisting staff with coverage, inspect staff documentation, attend shift briefings, conduct facility rounds, and ensure compliance with policy and procedures. APCSI provide staff with support, guidance, and take role as Incident Commander (IC) during incidents.

As Activities Coordinator, responsibilities are to implement themes and activities for youth within detention, constructing flyers for activities/events, organizing special events, incentive counts, and be customer service-oriented volunteers/vendors. Activities Coordinators lead groups to promote activities and events for youth to buy into engaging in positive behavior. Activities/ tournaments varied from setting up for workouts, sports, games, performances, art, and crafts. Special events vary from staff appreciation week, nurse appreciation week, teachers’ day, holidays, including school events like field trips, graduations, dances, etc. During events, coaching and encouraging youth to display pro-social interventions, good peer interaction, sportsmanship, communication, and team building is essential. Lastly, Activities Coordinators kept receipts, recorded counts of supply inventory, and submitted documents to fiscal for yearly budget audit.

As Probation Corrections Officer for San Bernardino County Probation Department, I've been allocated to Central Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center (CVJDAC), High Desert Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center (HDJDAC), and the A Restorative Integration for Success Engagement (ARISE) Program at our Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF). Since arriving to Probation, I have been assigned to Male Orientation and Classification Unit, Female Orientation and Classification Unit, Booking Liaison, Intake Release Officer (IRO), Inspections Officer, and Use of Force Coordinator.

Responsibilities;

• Counsel, orient, observe, train, guide, discipline, and supervise minors while in detention.
• Maintain safety and security within the institution for youth and staff.
• Redirection of negative behaviors and influence positive behaviors.
• Provide youth with structure and clear communication throughout each activity.
• Facilitate life skills groups and activities which vary from topics such as social skills, conflict resolution, peer interaction, good sportsmanship, healthy relationships, anti-bullying, substance abuse, hygiene, respect, responsibility, self-esteem, anger management, career opportunities, creative writing, gang intervention, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), safety, and emergency drills.
• Coach youth during indoor and outdoor Large Muscle Activity (LMA) recreation activities. Demonstrate and explain game rules to youth during General Free Time (GFT) to encourage hands on learning.
• Plan and organize Living Unit schedules to ensure Recreation, Programs, and Exercises are met per the Board State and Community Corrections (BSCC)/ Title 15 standards and adhere to the department's policy/procedures.
• Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) referrals for youth with behavioral issues/needs and attend MDT meetings to discuss progress of youth's behavior.
• Complete documentation such as Housing Classifications, Detention Behavior Summaries (DBS), 30 days Rehabilitation Plans, Activity record logs, and conduct Case Load Counselor (CLC) meetings.