This study surveyed probation officers' views on audiotaping their sessions with clients as a teaching tool for evidence-based practice, as well as interaction with and guidance from "coaches," who provide on-site feedback after instructional training away from the work environment.
Responses from the 13 officers who participated in the survey indicated that although most of the officers expressed significant anxiety before the audiotaping and coaching, they overwhelmingly felt that both teaching methods were indispensable to the learning process. Management personnel can assist officers in working through the initial resistance to audiotaping and coaching by providing support and encouragement. In addition, organizational scheduling can be adjusted to assist officers in having the time to invest in these learning activities. All of the officers had participated in Staff Training Aimed at Reducing Rearrest (STARR, Robinson et al., 2012). This curriculum along with similar training programs, teach officers specific skill strategies to be used during client contacts for the purpose of assisting clients in internalizing prosocial thinking and behavior. Follow-up coaching and audiotaping at work sites of trainees has proven to be essential in putting the classroom training into practice. Some of the challenges of being a STARR coach are modeling the use of STARR skills at a high frequency of contacts with competency, providing useful and constructive feedback to coworkers, responding to criticisms about changes advocated in training, and motivating officers to try new approaches to their work. 2 figures and 25 references