If individuals under supervision are players in the game, then community supervision officers and agencies traditionally have been shaped to act as referees. Referees make sure players are following the rules, call out rule violations, and give out penalties. Currently, community supervision agencies expect officers to act like referees and focus their efforts on watching for violations. This focus on rule violations does not consider why individuals may violate the rules. Often individuals violate the rules because they are also navigating substance use disorder, mental health diagnoses, houselessness, challenging family dynamics, or unstable employment; and many of these realities at the same time. This focus on rule violations and the lack of focus on supporting behavior change of individuals under supervision makes it even more difficult for people to complete supervision successfully.

The Coach (Referee) Model for Change (CRMC) changes the community supervision experience to help agencies return to the job to be done – helping people thrive. The CRMC is based on two core beliefs. First, people have the capacity to change, to grow, and to thrive. Second, community supervision staff who work with individuals under community supervision are responsible for helping these individuals develop pathways to improve their lives and thrive.

The CRMC starts with transforming the community supervision officer-individual relationship while demanding that community supervision agencies, and their way of doing business, must change, too. The Coach(Referee) Model for Change provides the structure and support needed for a complete organizational transformation.

JSP is providing technical assistance to Allegheny County, Pennsylvania’s adult probation to adopt the Coach (Referee) Model for Change in their agency. This includes providing support and training for changing the physical environment to reflect the principles of behavior change, transforming the infrastructure including policies and practices to allow staff to do transformative behavior change, and reconsider how the agency measures the performance of their staff. JSP’s collaboration with Allegheny County completely transforms their context allowing staff to more effectively use evidence-based practices while helping individuals under supervision thrive.