ESSEX PROBATE & FAMILY PROBATION DEPARTMENT
RECEIVES RECERTIFICATION

The Essex Probate and Family Court Probation Department recently passed its re-certification with high marks scoring a 89.3. The passing score is 85. The re-certification process is conducted every three years to measure the effectiveness of Probation Officers within their respective courts and in the communities they serve.

Essex Probate and Family Chief Probation Officer Mark Juknavorian and Assistant Chief Probation Officer Brian Monaghan oversee an office of 13 Probation Officers and four support staff employees.

"It is truly an honor to work with a staff that is so highly motivated and experienced. The results confirm this," said Monaghan.

As part of the re-certification process, three regional supervisors from the Office of the Commissioner of Probation visit the court to randomly audit selected files from each Probation Officer's caseload. This comprehensive evaluation grades Probation Officer's on compliance with established standards and procedures. Probate and Family Court Probation Officers are involved with dispute interventions, case monitoring and investigation. There is also a community-based component to the job, whereby staff serve on various social service boards, organize Fatherhood Programs and participate in speaking programs at various public schools.

"Staff have shown great initiative in their commitment to working with the community," said Juknavorian.

The Probate and Family Court Probation Department handles civil matters such as divorce and paternity and issues involving child custody, visitation, child support, and abuse cases. There are 12 Probate and Family Court Probation Departments statewide. Massachusetts is the birthplace of probation, which was created by an industrious Boston shoemaker named John Augustus in 1841. Probation officially became part of the court system in 1878.