For Those Who Serve ClientsThe CAPS Standard applies to nearly all who work in Community Supervision organizations. However, the information found on this page applies to staff who work directly with people on supervision.
| Helping People Succeed in Community Supervision This video introduces CSO's to the Standard as well as "the why" for those in their role. (Placeholder)
Walk alongside people on supervision and foster meaningful growth. The resources found on this page will guide you in several ways.
Additionally, the guides, tips, research, and videos listed in each category below are meant to support you in your professional development journey, too.
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 | The CAPS standard shares proven practices in community supervision. CAPS is based on four key foundational competencies: Connect, Assess, Plan, and Supervise. Tap into each area to see what it means for your work and to find resources you can apply on the job. Read more about the theory behind the CAPS Standard (link). |
 | Connection brings about a supportive alliance that enables trust and collaboration. Tune in to the needs, objectives, and challenges of the people around you. |
Engaging People on Supervision
Engaging People on SupervisionCONTENT
Engaging External Supports
Engaging External SupportsCONTENT
 | Assessment gives you the information you need to engage with your clients strategically. Focus on the right issues to make the most difference. |
Assessing Risks, Needs, and Strengths
Assessing Risks, Needs, and StrengthsThe links listed here will answer the question: What will help me understand my client's risk of re-offense and their program needs?
Articles, Guides, and Reports
Individuals with Mental Illnesses in the Criminal Legal System: Complex Issues and Best Practices
Evidence-based interventions designed to improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals with mental illnesses, including motivational interviewing, housing first, and supported employment.
Substance Use and Misuse among Justice-Involved Persons: Practice Guidelines for Probation Staff
Practice guidelines for working with clients who are using substances. Get an overview of evidence-based treatments including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavior therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.
Tools of the Trade
Guide to EBP in probation and parole, based on the Proactive Community Supervision (PCS) model implemented in the Maryland Division of Parole and Probation.
https://nicic.gov/tools-trade-guide-incorporating-science-practice
Violence and Gun Violence among Justice-Involved Persons: Practice Guidelines for Probation Staff
Effective approaches for supervising individuals who have a violent offense and/or are violent-prone. The article distinguishes between anger and aggression, provides an overview of efforts to manage such individuals, and reviews interventions better suited to address violence.
Online Learning
Evidence-Based Practices in a Correctional Setting
For front line supervisors and staff in pretrial, probation, jails, prisons, parole, and re-entry.
Effective Case Planning and Supervision of Justice-Involved Women
More effectively address the risk and need presented by women as well as working to incorporate her strengths in the case planning and supervision process.
Video Presentations and Webinars
Doing it Right: Risk Assessment in Juvenile Justice
What is meant by “risk”? What can risk assessments accomplish? What works in the use of risk assessments for pre-trial detention or community reentry? Get answers to these questions and more.
https://nicic.gov/doing-it-right-risk-assessment-juvenile-justice-njjn-webinar
The Foundation of Practical Application of Risk, Need, and Responsivity in the Age of COVID-19 and Justice Reform
Defines the core principles and practical applications of Risk-Need-Responsivity and reviews how past practice has sometimes led to unfair racial and ethnic disparities. Presenters also discuss strategies to create and maintain collaborative relationships to achieve reentry goals.
How to Make Evidence Based Programs Come to Life
How evidence-based practices were implemented in Kansas, with attention to responsivity and program fidelity.
https://info.nicic.gov/virt/node/22
Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections
Practical strategies for meeting the challenges of EBP implementation and achieving better program results. Hear about the efforts at Public Safety Canada to develop and implement the Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS) model and program.
https://nicic.gov/implementing-evidence-based-practices-community-corrections
Implementing Evidence-Based Services — Juvenile Justice
Introduction to implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) in a juvenile justice agency. Learn about getting buy-in, collecting data, engaging families, funding, and more.
Measuring What Matters: Outcome and Performance Measures for the Pretrial Services Field
Introduces the second edition of NIC’s publication of the same name. Understand how to gather consistent and meaningful data and how agencies are tying key measures to maximizing release, ensuring court appearance, and maintaining public safety.
Assessing Specific Responsitivity
Assessing Specific ResponsitivityCONTENT
 | Develop a plan, test it in practice, and then use the results to continue to improve — from the case level up to the learning organization itself. |
Conceptualizing Cases
Conceptualizing CasesCONTENT
Developing a Case Plan
Developing a Case PlanCONTENT
 | Reinforce desired behaviors, provide critical and constructive feedback, and address problems as they arise. Oversight and guidance keep us all moving in a positive direction. |
Choosing Effective Approaches
Choosing Effective ApproachesCONTENT
Using Supports, Incentives, and Sanctions
Using Supports, Incentives, and SanctionsCONTENT
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Frequently Asked Questions from Community Supervision Officers and Staff
Whether you are a parole officer, case manager, reentry specialist, counselor, employment specialist, housing specialist, or program provider, you will find the information found here useful. In fact, any professional interacting directly with clients will find resources to support their work.
You are in the right place. The first link in every category of content above (e.g., “Engaging People on Supervision,” etc.) is meant to provide an overview of the topic and is a great place to start. Additionally, if you take the “Request A Roadmap” quiz, we will send you an email with links to essential reading for your experience level.
The best way to find tools is by using the search bar at the top of every page. Begin by searching for the word “tools.” For even more specific results, indicate the type of tool you are looking for in quotation marks. For example, “case planning tools.” You can also find new materials highlighted on the home page.
Like a lot of industries, the criminal justice system needs ambitious, talented professionals like you. Before embarking on this career, we recommend you...
Work in community supervision has its challenges. However, it’s important work and we are grateful you are here. We highly recommend you...
CAPS stands for Connect, Assess, Plan and Supervise, four functions of every role within community supervision. Visit the “The CAPS Standard” page to learn more.
We are glad that you are here and welcome you to reference any materials you find on the CAPS Standard website. Additionally, look for featured training materials on the home page in the featured content section. You can also use the search bar at the top of every page to search for “training materials.” To narrow down your search, include adjectives in quotation marks. For example, “EBP training materials.”
The short answer is, “yes!” Please visit our copyright page for more information on attribution and distribution.
The CAPS Standard website is set up so that you can find information in a few different ways.
By navigating to the page for your role at work (officers, supervisors, implementation staff, and executives) and then browsing the topics.
Using the search bar at the top of every page.
Visiting the visual sitemap for a full list of links.
The NIC Information Center is also available to help. Visit the web-based help desk here.