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Clallam County juvenile services seeks to backfill probation post as grant funding mixes recover
Summary
Juvenile services asked the board to refill a vacant juvenile‑probation officer post effective May 1, saying caseloads (~30 youths per offender PO), blended state/county funding and recent retirements justify maintaining five probation positions for service continuity and public safety.
Juvenile services staff told the Board of Clallam County Commissioners on March 23 that they need to backfill a juvenile‑probation officer vacancy with an expected effective date of May 1.
Jody Dickinson (S14) described a wave of long‑term staff resignations and the operational impacts on succession planning and training. She reported the office has five probation positions, typically divided by geography (east, west, central) plus two non‑offender positions for dependency and truancy work. Offender caseloads generally run 25–30 youth per probation officer, with higher‑risk youth assigned smaller caseloads; supervision and assessment are administratively intensive and can involve regular school or home visits.
Dickinson said funding for probation staff is a blended mix of state pass‑through (including BECCA funding, restored this year though not at prior levels), criminal justice block grants (recent increases were noted) and county funds. Commissioners asked about caseload standards, time commitments for casework versus paperwork, and the program's use of grant and county funds. Several commissioners expressed strong support for filling probation positions to preserve supervision quality and public safety.
The board agreed to move the personnel item forward to the next regular meeting for formal action. Staff said they will continue to provide caseload metrics and funding breakdowns as the recruitment proceeds.
