Beyond the Badge, Division of Adult Parole Operations, Inside CDCR Video

Meet Ms. Mitchell, DAPO Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker

July 25, 2024

“When you make a difference in a client’s life, you know it,” Ms. Mitchell said about her job as a Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker with the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) Behavioral Health Reintegration (BHR) program.

Ms. Mitchell is assigned to the Redding Parole Unit and is instrumental in assisting individuals released from prison and assigned to parole supervision. She initiates connections to mental health services and other resources necessary for successful reentry into their communities.

BHR professionals, consisting of social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists who have a specialized understanding of reentry needs and management of parole conditions, are housed in each parole unit throughout the state. BHR professionals have collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and effectively provide a range of transitional care needs.

In this video, Ms. Mitchell shares a day on her job, including engaging with clients and staff at the Male Community Reentry Program in Oroville and the Red Bluff Parole Office.

Ms. Mitchell makes a difference in parole

Ms. Mitchell focuses on helping her clients become self-sufficient by “teaching them the basics of navigating systems, how to fill out paperwork, being responsible and showing up to appointments.” In addition, she coordinates connections with the Social Security Administration and housing resources. She also works to ensure they are “stabilized and on medications, and to help them understand their illness, help them accept their illness, and teach them new skills to manage their illness.” Through this process, “you can see them change,” Ms. Mitchell said.

She encourages clinical social workers thinking about entering this field to strongly consider it. “It’s a great job,” she said. “It ties in well with your social work values. And when you make a difference with these clients, you can really see it.”

Video producer/videographer/editor: Clarissa Resultan
Office of Public and Employee Communications