Probation Administration
Office of the Chief
Kirk Haynes
Chief Probation Officer
Administrative Assistant
(559) 600-1294
Chief Kirk Haynes, a 29-year veteran of the Fresno County Probation department, started his career in 1994 as a Job Specialist in the Probation Education and Employment Program (PEEP) unit. Prior to joining the department, he worked as an Eligibility Worker with Fresno County’s Department of Social Services. Kirk is a graduate of the University of Oregon.
In November 1996, Chief Haynes was promoted to Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) I worked multiple assignments in the Adult and Juvenile Divisions, including positions at the Adult Offender Work Program (AOWP), and Fresno / Edison High School campuses. As DPO IV he was selected as the lead officer of the Drug Suppression Unit (DSU) where Proposition 36 offenders were supervised.
As a Probation Services Manager he supervised the Adult Drug Suppression Unit and the Adult Field Special Services unit. He led the department’s efforts in the design and implementation of the Community Corrections Performance Incentive Act of 2009 (SB 678).
A primary tenet of SB 678 was the introduction of Evidence-Based Practices (EBP). He quickly became the department’s leader in EBP and has spent countless hours training staff and representing the department’s goals and strategies to the Courts, and other justice and community-based agencies. Under his leadership, several evidence-based programs and practices were implemented.
With the advent of AB 109 realignment, Chief Haynes was instrumental in responding and initially coordinating for the department, the many processes and practices related to this historic legislation.
Chief Haynes consistently promotes a positive personal, professional and managerial image. He is a strong advocate for developing staff’s ability to provide effective supervision through identifying the individual risks and needs of those we supervise in the community. Chief Haynes is committed to deploying innovative interventions with good research support that encourage positive quantifiable outcomes. He encourages a continual reexamination of our department’s service delivery which is fundamental to sound evidence-based practice development.
Office of the Chief
Cliff Downing
Assistant Chief Probation Officer
Administrative Assistant
(559) 600-7669
Cliff Downing is a 30 plus year veteran of the Fresno County Probation Department and currently serves as the Assistant Chief Probation Officer, with oversight of all departmental functions. A graduate of Fresno Pacific University, he began his career as a Group Counselor in the Juvenile Institution before advancing to Deputy Probation Officer in the Adult Division, where he served in multiple capacities.
Assistant Chief Downing’s leadership path includes serving as a Probation Services Manager, where he managed diverse assignments including the Elkhorn Correctional Facility, Juvenile Placement, Behavioral Health Court, Departmental Training, and the Juvenile Justice Campus Commitment Facility. During this period, he was instrumental in developing and implementing the department’s Annual Training Plan and Performance-based Standards.
Promoted to Deputy Chief in 2014, Cliff oversaw the Juvenile Services Division before being reassigned to the Adult Services Division in 2017. In 2022, he was given a special assignment to oversee and implement all departmental policies and procedures, and in 2023, he assumed leadership of the newly established Training Division, directing all departmental training and Evidence-Based Practices.
Throughout his career, Assistant Chief Downing has been a driving force in the development and implementation of key departmental initiatives, including youth transition plans, the community service work program, Use of Force audits, Proposition 63 protocols, and policies governing Officer-Involved Shootings in collaboration with the Fresno Sheriff’s Office. He has authored numerous policies for Probation Services and Juvenile Institutions and contributed significantly to statewide reform efforts through implementation projects tied to AB 1950, AB 1869, and AB 1228. Currently, he serves as the lead for the department’s Lexipol policy implementation and development.
Assistant Chief Downing’s leadership philosophy emphasizes team-based problem solving, encouraging staff to showcase creativity, build projects, and take ownership of their assignments. A committed mentor, he supports professional development across all classifications and empowers individuals to reach their highest potential by balancing accountability with autonomy.
Juvenile Services Division
James Rowland Crime Victim Assistance Center
Rosalinda Acosta
Deputy Chief Probation Officer
(559) 600-4760
Deputy Chief Rosalinda Acosta is a 35-year veteran of the Fresno County Probation Department. Beginning her career as a Fresno State criminology student intern, she progressed through the ranks to become a Deputy Probation Officer. Deputy Chief Acosta completed assignments in several divisions of the department. She was promoted to Probation Services Manager in the Campus Supervision Unit overseeing the expansion of the unit to cover elementary schools and additional school districts. Deputy Chief Acosta also served as Interim Director of the Elkhorn Correctional Facility. During this time, she played an instrumental role in leading the transition teams when the Juvenile Hall population moved from an antiquated facility to the present day Juvenile Justice Campus. She also managed several units in the Adult Division before promoting to Deputy Chief. As Deputy Chief she was responsible for the daily oversight and operation of the Juvenile Justice Campus Commitment Facility. During her tenure, she and the JJC administrative team not only maintained efficient daily operations but also developed and implemented innovative programming for youth in the facility. This included PbS (Performance Based Standards) and the initiation of an aftercare transition program to assist youth coming out of the facility to have better opportunities and outcomes upon their release back into the community. She followed her work as Deputy Chief of the Commitment Facility to the assignment of Administrative Services Deputy Chief, overseeing the department personnel and training, where she was responsible for the department’s adherence to policy and procedures in all department areas, along with ensuring department wide compliance with mandated standards. Currently Deputy Chief Acosta oversees the Juvenile Services Division, the James Rowland Crime Victims Assistance Center and the Juvenile Justice Campus.
Throughout her career, Deputy Chief Acosta has remained committed to enhancing probation services through effective leadership, innovation, and operational excellence. She continuously supports the vision and mission of the Chief Probation Officer and the Department while fostering a culture of mentorship and professional development. She promotes evidence-based practices that support the rehabilitation and successful reintegration of clients into their communities. A strong advocate for hands-on guidance, she is dedicated to equipping staff and students with the tools necessary for success in all areas of the evolving field of community corrections.
Adult and Realignment Services Division
Vicki Noel
Deputy Chief Probation Officer
(559) 600-1295
Deputy Chief Vicki Noel has dedicated 30 years to the Fresno County Probation Department, advancing from frontline probation work to executive leadership. Her career spans juvenile and adult services, court operations, and specialized caseloads, building a foundation in supervision, assessment, and collaborative justice practices. She has remained committed to public service, integrity, and fostering positive outcomes for both staff and the community.
As a Deputy Chief Probation Officer since 2016, she has led multiple divisions, including Juvenile Services, the Juvenile Justice Campus, Human Resources, Training, Quality Control, Evidence-Based Practices, and Victim Services. She has guided department wide initiatives such as risk assessment implementation, case management system expansion, training oversight, and program evaluation, ensuring accountable and effective service to Fresno County.
Deputy Chief Noel is deeply committed to staff development and mentoring, recognizing that the Department’s employees are its most valuable resource. She values collaboration, integrity, and building strong professional teams. Vicki is honored to serve alongside the men and women of the Probation Department and remains dedicated to fostering partnerships that enhance safety, opportunity, and positive change within Fresno County.
Juvenile Justice Campus
Kayatana Davis
Deputy Chief Probation Officer
(559) 600-4984
Deputy Chief Kayatana Davis has dedicated more than 28 years to serving the Fresno County Probation Department, building a distinguished career focused on public safety, rehabilitation, and strengthening communities. As Deputy Chief Probation Officer, she provides executive leadership for the Juvenile Justice Campus, guiding strategic initiatives, policies, and programs that promote accountability, evidence-based practices, and positive outcomes for justice-involved individuals.
Deputy Chief Davis began her career with the Department as a Group Counselor at Juvenile Hall before becoming a Deputy Probation Officer in 1999. She advanced through every officer classification and later served as Assistant Deputy Chief, where she championed evidence-based practices and data-driven decision-making to improve services, organizational performance, and outcomes.
As Assistant Deputy Chief assigned to the Adult Realignment Division, Deputy Chief Davis was instrumental in implementing the Department’s Pretrial Services Assessment and Monitoring Units in preparation for the implementation of Senate Bill 10 (SB 10). This work expanded the Department’s capacity to conduct validated pretrial risk assessments and provide the courts with evidence-based monitoring recommendations.
Deputy Chief Davis later served as Assistant Deputy Chief of the Juvenile Justice Campus, where she led the development of the Titan Youth Home, the Department’s first transitional living home designed to provide the least restrictive programming for youth committed to the Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF). These initiatives reflect her commitment to innovative correctional practices that enhance public safety while supporting rehabilitation, accountability, and successful reintegration.
In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Deputy Chief Davis is passionate about preparing the next generation of probation professionals. Since 2017, she has served as Adjunct Faculty with the State Center Regional Training Center, where she instructs new Deputy Probation Officers and Juvenile Correctional Officers from agencies throughout California in Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Standards and Training for Corrections-certified courses. Through this role, she has helped prepare probation professionals across the state in evidence-based supervision, court report writing, sentencing law, cultural competency, and other core areas of community corrections.
Deputy Chief Davis is a graduate of the University of California, Davis. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to building strong community partnerships, developing future leaders, and advancing innovative probation practices that enhance public safety while creating opportunities for lasting positive change.
Human Resources and Professional Standards Division
Michael Farmer
Deputy Chief Probation Officer
(559) 600-1151
Administrative Services Division
Song Vang
Deputy Chief Probation Administrative Officer
(559) 600-1295
Song Vang serves as the Deputy Chief Probation Administrative Officer for the Fresno County Probation Department, providing leadership and oversight of the Department’s Administrative Services Division. In this role, she oversees a broad range of administrative functions, including fiscal and budget operations, contracts, grants, IT operations, and department-wide administrative support.
Song brings 14 years of experience with Fresno County, serving across multiple departments and in a variety of progressive roles. Her County experience has provided her with a broad understanding of public-sector operations, fiscal management, contracts and agreements, program administration, and the importance of collaboration across departments.
Throughout her career, Song has focused on building strong partnerships, improving processes, supporting staff, and ensuring public resources are managed responsibly. She brings a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach to leadership and values open communication, accountability, and teamwork.
As Deputy Chief, Song is committed to supporting the Fresno County Probation Department’s mission by strengthening administrative operations and ensuring staff have the resources, structure, and support needed to serve the community effectively.
Automation Services
Dave Touma
Departmental Information Technology Manager
(559) 600-4701
Dave Touma began his career with the Probation Department as a Systems Analyst Intern in 1998. He facilitated the development and design of custom reports, created an automated Juvenile Hall attendance tracking system, and designed auto fill-in fields in the various Word templates for use in the department. He helped develop new automated procedures in JAS and the Adult Probation System (APS), including the new Prop 36 system in APS, which tracks offenders for State reporting.
Starting in 2015, Dave has been leading the development efforts to upgrade both JAS and APS case management systems to one system called Probation Records and Information Management System (PRI MS). Key goals in PRI MS are to improve data entry thru the use of guided entry templates, combine data from juvenile and adult populations into single smart searches and streamline department workflows with the use of the latest web technologies. PRI MS is scheduled to be completed in 2020.
In his current position as Departmental Information Technology Manager, Dave’s goal is to “go paperless.” His new role has given him a clearer view of the “big picture,” and he is excited about making processes more efficient for staff.
Dave embraces change and is always looking forward to using the latest innovations. Among his assets that help make him a success is his ability to analyze business operations and make recommendations for efficiency through the use of technology.
Automation Services is the technological arm oversee development, maintaining the probation case management system PRI MS, along with department data integrations, BI dashboards, Court eFiling, and technical needs of the department.