Roll Call-Probation Transformation

Save the Date

Tuesday, May 26

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Join us for our February roll call where we will be focusing on innovation and transformation for adult and juvenile probation practice. This session will highlight national emerging practices, share examples of work undersway and connect with colleagues across Illinois to share what is happening in your own department. This interactive session will spark ideas and explore how probation departments can begin rethinking and building forward looking approaches for 2026.

Presenter-Melissa Spooner- Cook County Juvenile Probation

Over the past 26 years, Melissa has dedicated her career to the Cook County Juvenile Probation Department. She began as a Probation Officer, working directly with youth on probation within their communities. As she progressed to roles such as Supervisor and Deputy Chief, she focused on enhancing data and research initiatives, implementing gender-responsive programs, supporting the Juvenile Drug Court, and fostering Parent/Juvenile Advisory Councils alongside traditional caseload responsibilities.

In her current role as Section Chief, Melissa collaborates with officers, supervisors, and Deputy Chiefs to strengthen case management for adjudicated youth in the community. She lead the development of departmental goals, major initiatives, and the drafting of policies and procedures. Further, Melissa convened workgroups with internal stakeholders and establish connections with city, state, and national partners.

Cook County Juvenile Probation maintains partnerships with organizations like the Council of State Governments, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Georgetown University to oversee comprehensive probation transformation efforts. For several years, Melissa served as the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) coordinator for several years and continues to work with staff to provide Positive Youth Justice programming.

Additionally, Melissa has conducted training sessions at the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association (IPCSA), the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), and other national conferences on topics such as research, data analysis, gender-responsive programming, and evidence-based curricula. Melissa is a lead trainer for Juvenile Risk Assessment and Core Correctional Practices. She was the Gender Responsive Committee chair for years and has actively participated in Region I and CMO meetings, reflecting her commitment to advancing equitable practices.

Melissa’s career trajectory—from line officer to executive leadership—has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of Probation systems.

This training is COPE approved.

IPCSA Policy Regarding Virtual, COPE Approved Trainings

To receive training credit for virtual, COPE approved IPCSA sponsored trainings, each participant’s display name must contain their first name, last name and county of employment. 

In those rare occasions where individual display names are not possible due to lack of equipment or department resources, multiple participants may use a single computer; however, a supervisor/CMO/Director must email association1969@ipcsa.org at least 48 hours PRIOR to the start of the training to provide a list of those individuals who will be on camera.   The list shall contain the following information for each participant:

• First and last name
• Email address
• County of Employment
  Please allow 45-60 days for training credit to appear in RELIAS.