Speaker(s):

Adriatik Likcani, PhD and Lori Burk, BCJ

Presentation:  Participants will learn tips for collaborative practice between Service Agencies and Probation and Parole, and between counselors and probation officers. The presentation will discuss collaborative practice at the micro, mezzo and macro level. The presenters will: a) focus on debunking myths and misunderstanding that exist among professionals on both sides about each other; b) present the underlying philosophies of the two distinct disciplines and the areas of overlap; c) focus on the necessity for collaborative practice and the benefits for clients, their families and the community when there is strong mutual working relationship; and, d) highlight practical tips and skills for collaborative practice. Presenters have a long history of working together on establishment of services for clients (micro level), development of local coalitions and a recovery oriented system of care (macro level) to increase collaboration and reduce stigma, and on advocacy issues related to services and policies that effect clients and their families. We will use humor to share about bottlenecks and “wrestling” moments throughout the past 14 years of working with each other in the same community. We will share about our misconceptions, the mistakes we learned from, how we handled conflicts, strategies we used to resolve issues, and tips for agency administrators, counselors and probation officers to strengthen their collaboration for the benefit of their clients, families, and the community. The topics that will be addressed in this session are commonly taking place daily in practice and we hope to shed some light on these issues through our honest and open discussion about our journey. Our experiences are not unique compared to others, but our journey is unique for achieving the level of respect, collaboration and success in programs and services for clients and their families, and for establishing tips and guidelines for successful collaborative practices.

Objectives:

  • Review the importance of strong recovery oriented systems of care and collaborative practice between service agencies and probation and parole, and between probation officers and counselors.
  • Describe the distinct roles and common factors between probation and parole officers and counselors.
  • Review a variety of tips and interventions to develop and/or maintain strong working relationships and enhance the recovery oriented system of care for the benefit of clients, their families and the community