Driving Continuous Improvement in Probation and Parole: Applying PDSA and Coaching Strategies

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Brian Alarie is the Assistant Chief Probation Officer for the Northern Berkshire District Court with the Massachusetts Trial Court Probation Department. With nearly four decades of experience in community corrections, probation, juvenile justice, and offender rehabilitation, he has dedicated his career to advancing evidence-based practices that promote accountability, public safety, and successful behavior change. Brian began his career with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services before serving as a Probation Officer, Probation Officer in Charge, and now Assistant Chief Probation Officer. Throughout his career, he has supervised individuals on probation, managed community corrections programs, implemented intensive supervision strategies, collaborated with treatment and community service providers, and led multidisciplinary teams. In his current role, he oversees probation operations, supervises staff, provides leadership in policy implementation, conducts case management reviews, and supports professional development and quality improvement initiatives. Brian has extensive experience working with justice-involved individuals with complex supervision needs, including those requiring substance use treatment, behavioral health services, and intensive community supervision. He has been actively involved in developing operational practices that strengthen collaboration between the courts, probation, and community partners while improving outcomes for individuals under supervision.

CJ Appleton is an Assistant Professor at the Stanford School of Public Policy, Duke University. He specializes in supervision processes including implementation of best practices, engagement strategies, and organizational change. His work also examines how adverse childhood experiences affects behaviors of individuals involved in the justice system with an emphasis on the differential impact of adverse childhood experiences on subpopulations. His work crystalizes the difference between systemic childhood experiences and individual childhood experiences.

Elizabeth Archer is an Assistant Chief Probation Officer in the Greenfield District Court in Greenfield, Ma, where she has served in this position since 2019. With over 27 years of experience in the Massachusetts Trial Court she began her career as a family service advocate in the Child Abuse Unit for the Northwestern District Attorneys office. Ms. Archer entered the Massachusetts Probation Service in 2001 as an associate probation officer and was promoted to probation officer in 2008 where she served until her most recent appointment. Throughout her career, she has been driven by the core values of integrity, accountability and service. She has developed and maintained collaborative relationships with judges, attorneys, law enforcement and social service providers. These partnerships have fostered consistent case management practice, enhanced service delivery and consistently contributes to the achievement of team goals. Ms. Archer is recognized for her reliability, adaptability and proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues. She is committed to continuous learning and applying new skills to enhance team performance and supports organization growth. She led her team in the PDSA process and continues to hold quarterly meetings with attorneys, court staff and Judges to ensure ongoing collaboration with those court users. Education Master of Management-Cambridge College Bachelor of Arts in Psychology-Bay Path University Associate of Science in Criminal Justice-Bay Path University

Gwyn Kaitis is a Program Analyst with the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), where she supports national initiatives to strengthen community supervision and improve outcomes for justice-involved populations. Her work focuses on system improvement, staff coaching, behavioral health, and impaired driving interventions. She has experience helping agencies apply evidence-based practices, including structured improvement models such as PDSA, to enhance operations and outcomes. Ms. Kaitis holds a master’s degree in counseling and brings a trauma-informed perspective shaped by work with individuals impacted by violence. Her prior roles include leadership with the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence and national crisis response organizations.

Jennifer Kirchner began her career with the Massachusetts Trial Court in April 2015 as a Probation Officer at Lowell District Court. Her dedication to community-centered probation work led to her promotion in September 2020 to Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Middlesex Superior Court. In June 2025, she advanced to her current role as First Assistant Chief Probation Officer. Since the inception of the Middlesex Change Team, Jennifer has served as an active member, working in collaboration with George Mason University to support innovative practices and advance meaningful system improvements. In 2017, Jennifer co‑founded and co‑facilitated the Motherhood Program, a supportive initiative designed to help mothers navigate probation while strengthening life skills and family stability. She led the program through 2024 and then mentored a fellow probation officer to carry the work forward, ensuring its continued success. Jennifer currently serves on the Community Justice Support Committee and is deeply invested in community-based advocacy. She also volunteers with and was recently elected to the Board of Directors for Alternative House, a Lowell-based nonprofit that supports women and children affected by domestic violence. Throughout her career, Jennifer has been driven by a passion for helping individuals grow, supporting meaningful rehabilitation, and strengthening the communities she serves. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to justice, compassion, and positive change.

Shauna Lydon is a Probation Officer II with the Massachusetts Probation Service, bringing nearly two decades of experience in community supervision across the Juvenile District, and Superior Courts. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bridgewater State College (now Bridgewater State University) in 2004 and began her career with the Massachusetts Trial Court in 2006 as an Associate Probation Officer in the Barnstable County/Town of Plymouth Juvenile Court. She was promoted to Probation Officer in 2013 and transferred to Barnstable District Court, where she continued to develop her expertise in evidence-based supervision, community engagement, and supporting individuals involved in the justice system. In 2023, Shauna joined Plymouth Superior Court in Brockton, where she currently serves as a Probation Officer II. Her experience working in the Juvenile, District, and Superior Court departments has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the Massachusetts court system and a broad range of professional experiences that inform her approach to effective community supervision. Shauna is committed to promoting accountability, enhancing public safety, and supporting positive behavioral change through evidence-based probation practices.

Michael Manteria is the Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Hampden County Superior Court, where he oversees a team of six and drives high standards of accountability, as reflected in his office’s top audit performances. With over two decades of experience in both juvenile and adult probation, Michael is recognized for his leadership in community initiatives, program development, and cross-agency collaboration. He is a certified instructor in defensive tactics, natural response control, and OC spray, frequently training probation staff across Massachusetts. Michael also serves as an adjunct professor at Western New England College, sharing his expertise in criminal justice and sociology. As an active member of local advisory boards and community committees, he is committed to public safety, innovative rehabilitation programs, and mentoring the next generation of justice professionals. Michael holds a master’s in rehabilitation counseling from Springfield College and a BA in sociology from North Adams State College.

Nancy McCarthy serves as a coach through George Mason University for the Massachusetts Probation Study Project, which is funded through the Arnold Ventures Foundation and APPA. Prior to this, Nancy worked for the Missouri Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole from 1984 to 2017. During her tenure, she held several positions, including Probation and Parole Officer, Unit Supervisor, and District Administrator. Nancy served as the Regional Administrator for the St. Louis Metropolitan area from 2003 to 2017. Nancy chaired several initiatives, including the Divisional Quality Assurance Committee and the Departmental Cognitive Restructuring Initiative. Nancy was a co-founder of the St. Louis Alliance for Reentry (STAR). STAR was comprised of non-profit and government staff focused on educating agencies and community members about the challenges faced by justice-involved individuals. Nancy was a non-alcoholic trustee for the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous from 2016 to 2022.

A graduate of Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, James Perry has over 21 years of experience with the Virginia Department of Corrections as a Probation and Parole Officer in Fairfax County. His background includes juvenile delinquency and substance abuse counseling, as well as administration of juvenile group homes in Washington, D.C. A Certified Workforce Development Professional, James specializes in evidence-based practices, team building, cultural diversity, multigenerational communication, and cognitive restructuring, and is certified by the National Institute of Corrections. James co-developed a Recidivist Prevention Program and train and coach justice professionals across Virginia and Maryland.

Faye S. Taxman, Ph.D. is a University Professor at George Mason University. Dr. Taxman is recognized for her work in the development of the seamless systems of care models that link the criminal justice with other service delivery systems, as well as reengineering probation and parole supervision services, and organizational change models. She conducted a multi-level organizational survey of the correctional and drug treatment systems to examine the utilization of evidence-based practice in correctional and drug treatment settings and the factors that affect the adoption of science based processes and interventions. She has several studies that examine the efficacy of various models of technology transfer and processes to integrate treatment and supervision. In one study, she explores the use of contingency management and incentive systems for drug-involved offenders. She has a Ph.D. from Rutgers University-School of Criminal Justice and a B.A., from University of Tulsa.

Sean Whalen is a graduate of Niagara University. He first started at Salem District Court in 1998 and has never left. He has been involved in numerous initiatives throughout his career. He was involved in drug court, hope program fatherhood program an employment assistance program. He has presented a three different APPA conventions. He has two daughters, one who recently graduated from Penn State and the other that is attending Sacred Heart University.