Adult Probation >Adult Probation Information >Referral Assessment and Referral Center Maricopa County Adult Probation created the Assessment and Referral Center (ARC) to screen and assess probationers post sentencing either immediately if out of custody, in custody under condition 21 if eligible to be released early, or upon release from custody to determine risk level and various needs for the purpose of community supervision. The Assessment and Referral Center makes recommendations or referrals to help ease the transition onto probation and from jail to the streets. The Assessment and Referral Center also provides oversight for Drug Treatment and Education Fund and sex offender contract providers.

The majority of the Assessment and Referral Center clients are those who walk into the office immediately post sentencing at the court complexes located downtown, southeast valley, and Glendale. Secondly, the Assessment and Referral Center completes substance abuse assessments and facilitates early release to treatment for probationers serving a condition of jail who meet certain criteria and are eligible for early release to treatment to substance abuse treatment (Reach Out). Thirdly, completion of screening and assessments for other probationers after they have been released from incarceration, (either jail or Department of Corrections), who were not Reach Out eligible at field probation offices as directed by their assigned probation officer.

This team consists of Probation Officers, screeners, clinical assessors and support staff. They accomplish the above goals using an empirically validated substance use test and a clinical consult/interview as necessary.

The current screenings and assessments the Assessment and Referral Center completes include:

• Offender Screening Tool (OST)
• Adult Substance Use Survey (ASUS)
• DNA testing sample
• Arizona Sex Offender Assessment Screening Profile for Regulatory Community Notification

The Assessment and Referral Center hopes to expand its screenings and assessments to address special populations who might have unique risk and needs.

Quick Reference: Assessment & Referral Center
Typical Probationer Characteristics	Program Characteristics
Substance Abuse needs – Outpatient or residential	Empirically validated testing
Serving condition 13 jail sentence	Community residential providers screen clients in jail
No violent, sex, or escape offenders	Reach Out completes all modifications
Newly sentenced or reinstatement	Takes the guesswork out of treatment placement for assigned Probation Officer.
Low educational level