Veronica Escalante-Felix

I was assigned to work as a supervisor at East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility. I supervised staff, both sworn and non-sworn, and detainees designated to different units within the facility. Those units included IBR (Intake Booking and Release), visiting, various housing units and Central Control. I worked overnight shifts and weekend shifts. During said times I oversaw the entire facility which housed up to 200 detainees at one time. I regularly interacted with outside agencies, such as federal, county and government agencies, medical and psychiatric staff and the general public. I conducted criminal history / background checks on those entering the facility. In addition I updated detainees statistical information into the DOJ database which included booking photos and fingerprints.

From 07/2012 to 11/2012 I was assigned to the EBPSP unit as an Acting Supervising Probation Officer. While in this capacity I supervised the implementation of evidence-based practices with high risk probationers. I was responsible for all grant monitoring which included contracts and Memorandum of Understanding, associated with the grants. I assisted with the evaluation of measures by compiling and reporting on the measures, and worked with contractors to ensure that quality data is collected. I attended EBPSP Managers meetings and was the point of contact for the HHSA COTAR and the individual treatment site managers. In addition, I was the oversight for treatment referral numbers, the intake processes, and the overall adherence to the treatment mode. I also addressed issues, concerns or suggestions related to the delivery of treatment and probation compliance. I also monitored the ARRA Grant which was the main source of funding for this unit. I tracked budget spending and compliance to grant specifications. I completed all the necessary reporting for this grant which included the Jobs Data Collection (monthly), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance Report (quarterly).I assisted in creating both verbal and visual reports and presentations for probation employees. These presentations were focused on trends within the Probation Department which are utilized in the implementation of evidence based practices.

I supervised 3 PA's, two of which were out-stationed, and one DPO who was part of the AFS Special Projects and Training Unit. As an acting supervisor I assigned and reviewed the work of my staff to ensure that it fell in line with the standards of the department. I also approved time sheets, reviewed completed work, completed written performance evaluations, assigned work and set performance standards for my staff.

As a Senior Probation Officer I was assigned to several different units throughout the department. One of those assignments was to the AFS Special Projects and Training Unit. In this capacity I was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the unit. My duties were as follows: Provide back up for the County Parole Board, Identify a core group of trainers to conduct trainings for AFS staff, coordinate the development of curriculum for new training classes, initiate the STC certification for new AFS trainings, maintain and update the department AFS Manual, format changes to the manual sections and maintain the main AFS Manual file in the shared drive, provide reviews for new legislature, assign purposed legislation to appropriate Subject Matter Experts for response on possible effects to the department, coordinate with Staff Development on the organization and implementation of trainings, schedule, coordinate and oversee the New to AFS Orientation training, and assist in any AFS special projects as directed. I was also part of the EBP Implementation Team and the Incentives and Sanctions Implementation team. In addition to these duties, I worked in conjunction with the Reentry Program in assigning screening packets to clerical staff related to the program and keeping track of the probationers being screened for the Reentry Program.

I was also assigned as an investigator for Adult Field Services. I was tasked with writing pre-sentence reports for the court. In conjunction with my regular duties as an investigator, I mentored the Deputy Probation Officer's in my unit with the necessary requirements in completing a thorough and well thought out investigative report, assuring that the reports are written to the specifications of the department's policy. I also assisted my supervisor in correcting reports, and transferring cases. While at the Hall Of Justice I also assisted in the intake unit which consisted of assigning reports to specific officers following a referral by the Court. While at the Hall Of Justice I also assisted in the duties of custodian of records.

As an investigator I was classified as a Sex Offender Expert. I also assisted part-time as a Court Officer. I assisted the Court with immediate sentencing matters by providing the Court, the District Attorney and the defendant's attorney with Probation Conditions and custody credits. This duty entailed meeting and conversing with the above noted parties and determining a defendant's eligibility for immediate sentencing. As an officer of the court I used discretion in accepting a defendant's case for immediate sentencing; always keeping the community's safety in the forefront of each decision.

Lastly, I assisted with the integration of the Public Safety Realignment / AB109 within our department. I ensured that each candidate fell within the guidelines established in PC 3450 as it pertains to Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS). Once the offender was determined to be eligible for PRCS, I proceeded in generating the appropriate conditions of probation the county would impose on the offender once he/she was released.

While employed as a Deputy Probation Officer I worked both in the areas of Supervision and Pre-Sentence Investigations I began my career in the Truancy Supervision Program. For two years I supervised truant youth throughout the county. I maintained a caseload of up to 40 clients at one time. I conducted compliancy checks at their homes and at school. I regularly reported their compliance to the court through court reports and providing updates to their criminal history. I also worked for two years in juvenile pre-sentence investigation, including juvenile sex offenders. I completed thorough investigative reports on a youth's current arrest and conviction, criminal and personal history, and provided a well thought out sentencing recommendation. I also worked as the Border Youth Liaison. I focused on the repatriation of youth who committed a crime, are in the United States illegally and had no familial ties in San Diego County.