2026 PPPS Week Site Visits Highlights
Hennepin County’s Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCCR)
Hennepin County’s Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCCR) is Minnesota’s largest community corrections organization. DOCCR employs nearly 900 staff and serves more than 22,000 adult and juvenile clients at locations across the county. The department oversees probation and parole, electronic home monitoring, the Sentencing to Service work program, the Juvenile Detention Center, and the Adult Corrections Facility.
DOCCR builds its programs on evidence-based practices and uses data to drive decision-making. The department’s supervising agents and staff work closely with community partners and clients to provide effective services and resources. Highlights include cognitive behavioral skill-building, parenting classes, housing support, career readiness resources, specialized treatment programming, and more.
Since 2015, DOCCR has had an 18 percent reduction in a three-year recidivism rate—from a high of 36.94% to 30.17% in 2022.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
In 2023, DOCCR launched a forestry job training program designed for adults on probation or parole. Participants gain experience in tree care, learning the industry-specific skills they’ll need for meaningful employment and a livable wage.
“The program wasn’t easy, but over time, I got better and ended up liking it,” said Jermaine, who received more than 600 hours of combined classroom and on-the-job experience.
Along with instruction from certified arborists, Jermaine and his program peers learned the gamut of urban forestry skills—from cutting techniques, to planting and pruning, to operating and maintaining equipment, to identifying tree species, disease and pests. He also earned certifications in CPR, tree inspection, and chainsaw safety.
Thanks to his hard work and commitment, Jermaine started his career path on the right foot, landing a job as a seasonal forester with Hennepin County Environment and Energy. “As long as you are dedicated, the program is a big help,” he said. “I look forward to the new beginning.”
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Adult Probation Department
The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Adult Probation Department recently celebrated PPPS week with several events to honor our staff. As the largest probation department in the State of Ohio, our officers supervise close to 7,000 adults each year. This week allows us the opportunity to recognize the competence, dedication and accomplishments of our staff. We are extremely proud of all of our Probation Department staff. This year, we were grateful to recognize the work of Kyle Edelbauer, who received the James Toth Supervisor of the Year award; Shontrell Thompson, who received the Eric Moten Probation Officer of the Year award; and Monica Brown, who received the Michelle Davis Probation Clerk of the Year award. We are especially excited to celebrate Probation Officer Rachel Colbert, who will be this year's recipient of the 80th Annual Franklin A. Polk Public Servants Merit Award, at a ceremony held by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation.
Nebraska
Probation is facilitated in Nebraska by more than 900 staff who are dedicated to inspiring hope, empowering individuals and strengthening communities across all 93 of Nebraska’s counties. In any given year officers conduct in excess 12,000 presentence/predisposition investigations, and provide case management to more than 20,000 adults, juveniles and families involved in probation, problem-solving courts and post-release supervision.
Nebraska is a proud, collaborative partner with APPA in development of strategy development around wholesale implementation of the National Standards for Community Supervision. It is also breaking ground in new approaches to working with an emerging adult population (18-25 year olds), as well as innovative approaches to workload assignments and case management strategies prioritized on identified risk, need and responsivity conditions and engagement with probationers and their support networks in the field.
Ohio Adult Parole Authority
The Ohio Adult Parole Authority celebrated National Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week with statewide recognitions honoring the dedication and impact of its officers. Director Ed Banks opened the week by highlighting the vital role Ohio Parole professionals play in balancing support and accountability in their communities. Among the staff recognition, were two standout honors: Michael Bender of Akron was named Parole Officer of the Year, and Collin Buettner, Parole Services Supervisor in Dayton, was recognized as Employee of the Year. The week concluded with APPA CEO Veronica Cunningham giving the highest kudos and deepest appreciation from the Cleveland office.