Program Evaluation of a Community-Engaged Partnership Between a Counselor Preparation Program and Adult Probation Services

Abstract

This study evaluated counseling services provided by counselor trainees to individuals on probation within a partnership between a counselor training program and a community supervision department. Eighty-one participants were included in the program evaluation, with 65 reporting demographics. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 74 and included 35 men and 30 women. Of those 65, 67.7% identified as White, 24.6% as African American, 6.2% as another race not specified, and 1.5% Native American or Alaskan Native. Additionally, 83.1% identified as non-Hispanic and 16.9% as Hispanic. Pre–post assessments were completed and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests revealed statistically significant reduction of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, anger reactions, and relapse symptoms, and a statistically significant increase in presence of meaning in life, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction. Percentage improvement revealed more than half of the participants had clinically significant improvement in depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Results indicate promise for community-engaged partnerships to provide no-cost responsive counseling services to individuals on probation.