Page 9 - Probation Today Spring 2022

S P O T L I G H T
ABOVE AND BEYOND

On January 11, 2022, DPO Monica
Gomez received a phone call from
a distraught pretrial client. DPO
Gomez asked the client if she felt
like hurting herself or had a plan to
hurt herself. She responded by
saying she planned on running into
the street in front of a car and
getting hit or cutting herself with a
razor blade.

DPO Gomez utilized Motivational Interviewing skills to gain further information, soon learning the client had in fact
attempted suicide approximately six months ago. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Gomez contacted Sr. DPO
Macedo who subsequently assisted by calling the Access line, Crisis And Recovery Emergency Services (CARES) and Safe
Alternatives for Treating Youth (SAFTY). As phone calls were being made, DPO Gomez continued to talk to the woman,
obtaining information on the positive things in her life, including people who care about her. The woman told DPO Gomez
she had a razor and she began to cut her fingers with the razor blade. DPO Gomez explained that assistance was on the
way, strongly encouraged her to put the razor on the ground and not to cut herself anymore. Sr. DPO Macedo and DPO
Deocares were soon en route to the client’s location when they learned crisis response teams were not available to assist.
Once at the location, Sr. DPO Macedo and DPO Deocares administered first aid and subsequently transported the client to
the hospital. SAFTY responded to the hospital and completed their evaluation. In the end, this client reached out to
Probation at one of her lowest moments and received the attention she needed thanks to all of the efforts mentioned
above, including DPO Gomez remaining on the phone with her for nearly an hour and a half.

Our relationships with clients are crucial and can have the potential to help someone change the trajectory of their life, but
they also can be lifesaving. Outstanding work by DPO Gomez! Special thanks to Sr. DPO Macedo and DPO Deocares for
assisting to ensure this woman did not harm herself further and quickly received the attention and treatment she needed.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EMPLOYEE OF THE

MONTH MARCH 2022

The County of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce, Sr.AOP
Lesley Stewart as the Santa Barbara County Employee of
the Month for March 2022. This award is in recognition of

Lesley's exceptional performance as part of the
Administrative Team. Lesley was presented with a
resolution for Employee of the Month at the Board of
Supervisors hearing on March 8, 2022.

Congratulations Lesley for this noteworthy achievement and
your tremendous contributions to the Department!

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