Cognitive Intervention Programs

The Adult Probation Department offers three (3) evidence-based cognitive intervention programs that target the medium-high and high risk offender populations. The programs are described below:

Thinking for a Change (T4C) is a total of 25 lessons and uses a combination of approaches to teach participants awareness of themselves and others. T4C is comprised of three (3) major components: Cognitive Self-Change, Social Skills and Problems Solving. In Cognitive Self-Change participants learn to pay attention to their thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs, recognize their risk, and use new thinking. The Social Skills section includes basic skills such as active listening and knowing your feelings to advance skills including knowing the feelings of others and negotiating. In the last phase of the program participants learn to put the components together as they learn Problem Solving Skills.

T4C is facilitated at most probation offices throughout the county as well as at some community providers. T4C is free to attend and eligible participants can earn community restitution hours upon program completion.Decision Points (DP) is an open-ended, self-paced program consisting of four (4) primary skills plus a base lesson (5 lessons total). DP introduces the trouble cycle and equips participants with alternative ways to examine their thinking and the actions that lead them into trouble.

Through the four (4) lessons, participants learn to consider others and make choices that would lead a person away from trouble. Because DP is open-ended, new participants are able to join at any time and remain in the program until they either master all four (4) skills or until their T4C class starts.

DP is offered at several probation offices, attendance is free, and eligible participants can earn community restitution hours upon program completion.

Courage to Change (C2C) is an evidence-based cognitive program designed for youthful offenders up to age 22. The program is offered once a week and is facilitated by a licensed counselor. Participants utilize an interactive journaling system to address their criminogenic needs, and are encouraged to use personal examples in their journals in order to apply the concepts to their current life situation. 

The program uses an open-entry, open-exit model where participants may enter at any given time, and may successfully complete the program after attending 24 sessions. C2C is free to attend and eligible participants can earn community restitution hours upon program completion.

Referrals for all cognitive programming are submitted by the Assessment Center or the supervising Probation Officer.