Enhancing Probation Practices: New Jersey's Implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

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Ashley began her career with the New Jersey Judiciary in 2017 as a Probation Officer in the Camden Vicinage Juvenile Supervision Unit. In 2020, she transitioned to the Burlington Vicinage, continuing her work in juvenile probation before being promoted to Quality Assurance Specialist in Probation Supervision in 2023. Ashley holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice from Rowan University. She brings extensive experience in juvenile justice and probation operations, with a strong focus on compliance, case management practices, and system improvement.

Stacey Gerard serves as the Chief of Juvenile Supervision and Quality Assurance within the Office of Probation Services. Ms. Gerard's career began with roles focused on supporting youth with mental health and behavioral challenges. In 2011, she joined the Judiciary as a Probation Officer, specializing in cases involving youth with sexually abusive behaviors. Her career trajectory advanced as she became a Court Services Supervisor II in Adult Supervision, and subsequently, the Probation Program Supervisor, overseeing training and specialty programs within Probation. Ms. Gerard holds a B.S. in Law & Justice Studies, earned along with a Baccalaureate degree in the College Honors Program from The College of New Jersey in 2003. She furthered her education with a Master's in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University in 2006. Throughout her career, Ms. Gerard has significantly contributed to developing and presenting various training curricula aimed at enhancing probation services. She plays an active role in numerous committees dedicated to improving juvenile probation and quality assurance frameworks. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Gerard enjoys spending time with her preschooler, exploring new activities and experiences together.

Ryan Loud is an Administrative Specialist 4 in Probation Services for the New Jersey Judiciary's Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) and Juvenile Intensive Supervision Program (JISP). In this role, Ryan plays a key part in coordinating work, maintaining a deep understanding of program policies and procedures, and recommending improvements. Ryan actively develops and updates policies, manuals, trainings, and electronic resources for both programs. Ryan is the Statewide Quality Assurance Coordinator for ISP and JISP, supporting officers and specialists with risk assessment tools like ORAS and OYAS. Ryan is a certified trainer in these tools and Core Correctional Practices, providing and coordinating ongoing training for staff and stakeholders. This background provides a strong foundation in program development, implementation, quality assurance, and training within probation services.

Stephanie Peate is an experienced Quality Assurance Coordinator and Analyst with over five years of service with the State of New Jersey. For the past four years, she has focused on coordinating and enhancing quality assurance processes, ensuring high standards across projects and operations. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Montclair State University, with a Minor in LGBT Studies. Her diverse academic background complements her extensive experience in the quality assurance field. Prior to her current role, she worked in the mortgage industry, managing vendor relationships and conducting loss analysis for government loans, gaining invaluable insights into the industry's intricacies. Stephanie is dedicated to improving processes, identifying opportunities for optimization, and ensuring quality at every stage. Her expertise in quality assurance strengthens her ability to support and elevate the performance for the State of New Jersey’s Probation Division.