In about 60% of the cases sentenced in Pima County, the offender will be placed on supervised probation for an average of three years. Protection of the community is always the primary consideration when determining a supervision program. To ensure long-term protection requires motivating the offender to change those factors that contributed to criminal behavior. Based on empirical research conducted by social scientists, certain dynamic factors are common to offenders and are targets for change.

What has been developed in Orange and San Diego County, Calif. are blueprints for other urbanizing communities committed to striking a balance between growth and development and environmental quality and its notion of livability. These plans successfully put in place conservation measures unprecedented in their scope and breadth and yet do so without compromising the economic vitality of the region.

Maricopa County has experienced remarkable population growth for decades, and will continue to do so. But while expanding metro areas tend to pay close attention to physical infrastructure—diligently budgeting for roads, sewers, schools and the like—there is often a relative lack of attention to meeting the future demands for human services. Relying on the expertise from throughout the College of Public Programs, this report analyzes 12 critically important topics, including children and families, poverty, substance abuse, and Latinos.