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From Barriers to Bridges: Building Collaborative Supervision in a Low Barrier and Supportive Day Center
SESSION INFO
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Session Type: Workshop
Strong working relationships are the foundation of effective supervision, especially when serving clients with acute mental health and stabilization needs. This interactive workshop explores how rapport, empathy, and coordinated partnerships can strengthen accountability, engagement, and reentry outcomes. Drawing from real success stories within the Stabilization and Readiness Program (SARP), a low-barrier, wraparound model supporting justice-involved individuals with acute mental health needs, participants will examine how trust-based supervision reduces resistance and promotes behavioral stability. Community collaboration examples including Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) nursing students, the Goodwill Auxiliary Program, behavioral health providers, and peer mentors, illustrate cross-disciplinary teamwork and shared responsibility. Bridging APPA’s Community Collaboration and Smart Supervision focus areas, attendees will gain practical strategies to balance structure with support, apply relational approaches to caseload management, and strengthen communication systems that promote sustainable change and enhance long-term reintegration success.
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SESSION PRESENTERS
Leila Alvarado
Community Justice Manager, Multnomah County Community Justice
With a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, I bring extensive experience in
law enforcement, fiscal management, and community-based rehabilitation. I currently serve as
the Community Justice Manager for the Stabilization and Readiness Program (SARP) in
Multnomah County, Oregon. SARP is a low-barrier day resource center that supports
justice-involved individuals with acute mental health needs, substance use challenges, and
housing instability. In this role, I oversee daily operations, staff supervision, training, community
partnerships, and budgetary measures to ensure program compliance, sustainability, and
impactful outcomes for our clients.
Prior to my current position, I proudly served eight years in the U.S. Army as a Military Police
K9 Handler Officer, where I specialized in narcotics and explosive Canine Handler detection.
My service included overseas deployments that enhanced my expertise in leadership, crisis
response, and investigative operations. These experiences instilled a lasting foundation of
discipline, integrity, and adaptability, shaping my ability to perform effectively in complex and
high-pressure environments.
In addition to my professional commitments, I actively volunteer in local shelters supporting
vulnerable populations. My career reflects a deep passion for public safety, and restorative
justice, as well as bridging the gap between law enforcement and social service systems to
promote long-term community well-being for justice-involved individuals
Kristin Casey
Parole and Probation Officer, Multnomah County Community Justice
Kristin Casey is the Lead Probation and Parole Officer (PPO) for the Multnomah County Adult Services Division Mental Health Unit. A native New Yorker, Kristin is a highly accomplished and dedicated professional in the mental health field. She previously served as Chair of the Oregon Mental Health Supervision Network, showcasing her prominence in the state's mental health community. Kristin is also an Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) coach. In this role, she actively mentors and collaborates with other PPOs in her unit, guiding them to enhance their EPICS and Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills. Her leadership significantly contributes to the effectiveness and quality of mental health supervision provided by her team. Beyond her administrative and coaching responsibilities, Officer Casey possesses a unique background in theater and performance. She adeptly integrates these skills into her teaching and implementation of cognitive behavioral interventions. This creative approach, honed through years on stage, enhances her ability to engage, communicate, and connect with individuals, making interventions more accessible, understandable, and impactful.
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