Motivational Techniques Implementation Considerations

Strategy

Implementation Considerations

Strategy 5: Build resiliency through improvements in work processes

Administrators and supervisors should be attentive to the work processes of officers as they pertain to use of motivational techniques. They should be familiar with the routine duties of officers and be trained to ask about and address any barriers officers may face when using motivational techniques.
- Ask officers during initial trainings (and subsequent meetings) if they perceive any barriers to their use of motivational techniques (e.g., lack of resources, unsupportive workplace culture, not enough time with clients) and work to address them
Follow up with officers to promote proper use of motivational techniques as outlined in trainings (see Strategy 4)

Strategy 6: Collaborate with agencies toward a common goal of improving client outcomes and promoting public safety

Work with and use research/empirical evidence to convince court actors (judges and prosecutors) to:
- Promote the use of incentives and make court actors open to the idea of reduced supervision incentives
- Grant officers the discretion to refrain from giving a sanction if they feel it will not benefit the client based on their circumstances (officer should be able to justify this decision)
When possible, bring in external and/or cross-agency professionals to train officers in the use of pro-social techniques

Strategy 7: Build resiliency by altering client involvement in key decisions

Establish standard guidelines/conditions for your agency and be transparent with clients about the conditions when incentives and sanctions will be given/used
Develop routine procedures for soliciting client feedback when setting rules for supervision
- For example, what the sanction will be (e.g., more drug treatment) if a client tests positive for narcotics
Engage in two-way dialogues with clients about pro-social modelling techniques to determine what works well and what does not

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Practice Guidelines for Community Supervision