Can participants change their level of supervision?

If a client assigned to levels 1-3 is successful in completing their intake and followup appointments, barring other forms of non-compliance, they’re eligible to have their level of supervision reduced. These reductions in supervision level are in place in part to make sure people are receiving the level of supervision best suited for them, and as an added motivation for participants to engage with the program and make their required appointments. In cases where the level was court mandated, changes to a participant’s supervision level are always done via request to the court and approval by a judge.
Participants at levels 4 and 5 have more restrictive timelines for changing their supervision level, and often complete the full program at their assigned level.

What training do QSR Staff have?

Across the QSR Program, staff roles reflect a clear education-and-experience ladder designed to match participants’ needs:

Standard Case Managers have bachelors degrees in social work or a related field, and come to CJA with two or more years of experience.
Clinical Case Managers work with more complex cases and hold masters degrees, often with specializations in mental health or substance use support.
Clinical Supervisors, who direct overall treatment plans and personally supervise some of the highest need participants, possess advanced licenses in social work and deep backgrounds in the field.

Meanwhile, Peer Specialists, Peer Coordinators, and Peer Supervisors utilize their lived experiences, combining their personal history of recovery with professional training and certifications. Across the board, CJA strives to hire staff with diverse language skills, knowledge of the criminal court and behavioral health systems, and experience working in the community.

QSR staff augment their personal experience with a comprehensive, three-week onboarding designed to prepare them for the day-to-day work of supervising and supporting people through case management. Throughout their career at CJA, staff receive further instruction in motivational interviewing, de-escalation, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice. In March 2026, staff were trained in an innovative CBT model pioneered by Roca to support engagement techniques with participants at higher risk.

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