The preparation phase is the second of the dosage probation implementation model’s four phases. You may begin this phase when you have completed the dosage probation readiness assessment and determined that your jurisdiction and probation agency are well positioned to implement the dosage probation model. All key stakeholders must support implementing dosage probation and agree to serve as dosage probation policy team members before you begin the implementation process.
The preparation phase lays the foundation for the work your jurisdiction and probation agency will complete during the third (planning) and fourth (implementation and evaluation) phases.
The steps in this phase include the following:
Establish a Dosage Probation Policy Team
Probation leadership should refer to this section in the Dosage Probation Toolkit to formally mobilize the Dosage Probation Policy Team. Key system stakeholders interested in serving in one of the policy team’s leadership roles may also want to review this section. Once elected, the chairperson(s) should familiarize themselves with this section and lead future meetings and activities for the policy team.
Establish a Dosage Probation Workgroup
Probation leadership should refer to this section in the Dosage Probation Toolkit to formally mobilize the Dosage Probation Workgroup. Probation staff members interested in serving in one of the workgroup’s leadership roles may also want to review this section. Once elected, the chairperson(s) should familiarize themselves with this section and lead the workgroup’s future meetings and activities.
Identify Community Service Provider Partners
The Dosage Probation Workgroup’s chairperson(s) should refer to this section in the Dosage Probation Toolkit to formally mobilize a subcommittee responsible for leading and carrying out the activities needed to partner with community service providers around dosage probation. Once established, subcommittee members should familiarize themselves with this section to complete their initial activities. It is also recommended that probation leadership review this section to support the subcommittee’s establishment and successful completion of activities.
Develop a Dosage Probation Logic Model
In this step, the Dosage Probation Policy Team and Dosage Probation Workgroup must work independently and collaboratively to develop a dosage probation logic model—a blueprint for implementing dosage probation. The chairpersons of the policy team and workgroup should refer to this section in the Dosage Probation Toolkit to prepare and facilitate the logic modeling process with their respective teams.
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“My biggest advice would be to keep probation staff informed about the implementation process, providing them with updates on progress, timelines, and next steps. Educate them about the process as it unfolds and give them the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback regularly. Our experience in Dodge-Olmsted was unique because we implemented at the height of COVID-19. Looking back, our staff would’ve benefitted from feeling engaged throughout the implementation process rather than just a few months beforehand.” –Allyson Hurley, Development Specialist and Dosage Probation Workgroup Co-Chair, Dodge & Olmsted Community Corrections
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“Keeping probation and support staff informed and up to date was pivotal in moving forward with dosage probation in Wright County. It was challenging at times because not all agents in all the units were directly involved with the implementation process, but all agents were kept up to speed with timelines, deadlines, and next steps due to constant movement within our department. It was important for those agents not directly involved, as our department’s philosophy incorporates dosage supervision and strategies for all clients. In addition, our monthly updates during unit meetings and department-wide trainings educated staff and allowed for questions and feedback from all team members.” –Tom Feddema, Adult Unit Supervisor, Wright County Court Services