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Tulare County probation showcases hiring gains, mobile services and a recovery success story
Summary
Chief Probation Officer Kelly Vernon told the board that the department has hired 34 people in the past year, reduced vacancy rates and expanded mobile and juvenile services; the board issued a proclamation recognizing Probation Services Week (July 19–25, 2026).
Kelly Vernon, chief probation officer, updated the Tulare County Board of Supervisors on June 23 about staffing gains, program expansions and a client success story, and the board approved a proclamation recognizing Probation Services Week.
Vernon said the department has hired 34 new staff in the past year and achieved its lowest vacancy rate since 2023, reporting a 21.1% vacancy rate. She highlighted the SOAR supervised release unit's outcomes, reporting a 95.6% arrest‑free rate while clients are pending court and an approximately 81% court‑appearance rate, and described partnerships with local police, schools and service providers to expand prevention and reentry supports.
Vernon described a mobile service center that brings probation services and linkages to clients who cannot travel to department offices, and a juvenile detention program that now includes education supports and a library. She introduced a former client, Jeff Rogers, who said probation helped him secure housing, restore Social Security benefits and complete treatment; the department said Rogers successfully completed probation in 2024 and remains sober.
Board members thanked probation staff for recruitment and programming. Supervisor Larry McCari called Rogers' recovery "monumental" and encouraged the department to celebrate milestones that reinforce positive outcomes.
The board signed a proclamation recognizing July 19–25, 2026 as Probation Services Week and invited probation staff for a group photo; staff said the department's public messaging has raised awareness—one recent video was reported to have reached millions of views on social media.
Next steps: supervisors asked staff to continue outreach and report back on program metrics and anniversary events for notable client success stories.
