Case Plans: One Size Does Not Fit All

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Michelle Hart, M.P.A., worked in the field of probation, in Coconino County, AZ, for nearly 28 years; retiring in June 2021. During her tenure in as a probation officer, she worked in various areas of supervision, such as juvenile probation, Adult Intensive Probation and Treatment Courts. In 2010, Ms. Hart became a Probation Supervisor, and 2016, became the Deputy Chief of her department; the position she held at retirement. Throughout her career, Ms. Hart has held a passion for training in the field of probation supervision and treatment courts, along with implementing best practices to achieve the best outcomes for both officers and the clients served. In addition to training within her department, she has trained throughout the state of Arizona and nationally. In 2008, Ms. Hart began presenting at national conferences. She is a certified trainer in the areas of domestic violence and motivational interviewing. Ms. Hart is also a certified facilitator in the criminal thinking program Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and National Curriculum and Training Institute’s cognitive behavior groups. Additionally, she has been trained in EPICS-II and SUSTAIN. In 2012, Ms. Hart became a faculty member with the National Drug Court Institute. She continues in this capacity and has the honor of working with treatment court teams throughout the country, providing training, group facilitation, and technical assistance. Ms. Hart has been a board member of the Arizona Association of Drug Court Professionals since 2009, previously serving as Vice President and President. She also currently serves on the Advisory Board for the National Drug Court Resource Center, and the Advisory Council for the Rural Justice Collaborative.

Paul Ventura is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and studied sociology in the Masters of Applied Sociology program. He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration-Public Finance program at Arizona State University. Mr. Ventura has been a probation officer for 18 years; seven and ½ years in Coconino County, AZ and he currently works for Yavapai County, AZ. Mr. Ventura has a variety of experience working with adult probationers, having supervised Intensive Probation, Standard Probation and Interstate Probation. In addition, he supervised sex offenders for 6 years and monitored GPS probationers. He has written presentence reports and, as a Senior Probation Officer, covers in a supervisorial capacity. Mr. Ventura is an AZ certified firearms instruction, Simunitions-Scenario Based Training instructor, a facilitator of the cognitive behavioral program Moral Reconation Therapy and a Coach for the EPICS II program developed by Melanie and Chris Lowencamp . Mr. Ventura is also a mentor Probation Officer to new officers, assisting in training and developing new hires. He has chaired several committees for Yavapai County Adult Probation and is a member of several on-going committees. He has been a member of the National Probation and Parole Training and Education Committee in the past. Mr. Ventura led a team of POs to develop an event called “The Celebration of Success” in Yavapai County. This event won Strategic Agenda Award for Enhancing Professionalism within Arizona Courts at the Arizona Judges Conference. Mr. Ventura has presented at multiple national APPA and Drug Court conferences, the New Jersey State Parole and Probation conference, as well as other local Arizona conferences and trainings. He spends his free time with his family and two daughters, who are involved in many activities and sports in his town of Cottonwood, AZ.