An Opportunity to Serve
With over 5,000 youth being supervised on probation or parole by the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) each year across our state, the local DJJ county offices are very busy places. This combined with challenging economic times and limited staff resources, volunteers are playing an increasingly important role working hand-in-hand with DJJ to serve the at-risk youth in our communities. If you would like an opportunity to contribute to the success of a youth in your community, serving as an Auxiliary Probation Officer (APO) may be for you.
Who becomes an APO?
Citizens from all walks of life who care about the youth of their communities become APOs. An APO must have good moral character and common sense, and an understanding of young people. APOs are both male and female.
You Can Make a Difference
As an APO you will play a significant role in the lives of minor offenders by providing regular contact with these youth helping to ensure they do not re-offend and further penetrate the juvenile justice system while on probation with DJJ. Additionally, your service as an APO you will allow full-time DJJ probation staff to better focus their efforts on the more serious offenders.
What’s Involved?
APOs are unique in that they are sworn in by a Family Court Judge in the county where they will serve, and often do some of the same tasks as a full-time DJJ probation officer. APOs must be 21 and complete a volunteer application. A thorough background check (criminal records, Sex Offender Registry, and DSS Child Abuse and Neglect Registry) will be conducted, and about four hours of classroom training will be required, as well as some on-the job instruction. APO’s provide supplemental supervision to one juvenile offender (lowlevel crime) in conjunction with a full-time DJJ probation officer. Typically, APOs will have face-to-face or phone contact with the youth at least one time a week. They may meet with their parents/guardians at the DJJ county office at home or with the youth at school, community service worksite, or other locations to ensure that the youth is complying with all probation requirements.
APO Schedule
APOs have considerable flexibility in scheduling their appointments and weekly visits with juveniles on probation. They also have the flexibility of choosing their assignments to be in the geographical area most convenient to their home or work locations. Auxiliary Probation Officer activities can include:
- Ensure compliance with probation court order
- Guide youth/families to appropriate services
- Check community service performance
- Review essays, apology letters, or other documents
- Confirm referral appointments and school attendance
- Encourage and support juvenile’s success
- Document all contact activities
- Attend regular APO training meetings
- Communicate activities to DJJ Probation Officer
Bottom line - If you can give a child just 10 minutes a day a few times a week, You can be an APO!
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age. THE FOLLOWING OFFICES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED TO HANDLE INQUIRIES REGARDING THE NONDISCRIMINATON POLICIES: Title IX –Inspector General’s Office – 803-896-9595, Title II & 504 – Special Education Office – 803-896-8484