Juvenile Probation

The Winnebago County Juvenile Probation Division aims to create a safer community by addressing the problem of delinquency. We accomplish this mission by imposing accountability for violations of the law, equipping offenders with the competencies to live responsibly and productively, assisting in the reparation of victims and ensuring the protection of the community. Offenders under the age of 18 are referred to this department by law enforcement agencies and can remain under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court until the age of 21.

Juvenile Probation also oversees operation of the Juvenile Assessment Center. This is a central reception center for police agencies to bring youth who have been arrested for violating the law or taken into custody for non-criminal reasons, i.e. running away. Probation Officers at this location utilize a screening instrument that determines if the arrested minors should be detained or released back to their guardian. The Probation Officers at this location also conduct assessments of the arrested minors to refer to services and to recommend whether the minors should be referred to court or if the cases should be handled informally with no further court action. Illinois Crisis Intervention Services (ICIS) advocates work with the non-arrest cases that require specific family services.

The Juvenile Resource Intervention Center (JRIC) is also located inside the Juvenile Probation Department. The JRIC opened in the late fall of 2023 and is an on site therapeutic center for youth on probation or court supervision. Similar to the Resource Intervention Center for our adult population, the JRIC consists of a therapist who provides individual therapy and group curriculums ranging from topics such as grief and trauma to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Programs offered through the JRIC target the identified areas of risk and needs that Probation Officers determine through risk assessments and comprehensive assessments from clinicians.

Funding to support the Juvenile Resource Intervention Center – Behavioral Health Program was received through the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board.