§ 245. Probation staff training and development. The office of
probation and correctional alternatives shall conduct training programs
for city, county and state probation personnel, prepare and execute
programs of information and education to interest persons in the field
of probation as a vocation, encourage the development by schools within
the state of courses of study in fields related to and bearing upon
probation and engage in other activities of an educational or
informational nature designed to increase the number of qualified
probation personnel and improve the caliber of probation service within
the state. In order to effectuate the provisions of this section, the
office of probation and correctional alternatives shall be authorized to
prepare and disseminate printed materials, utilize media of public
information, cooperate with public and private institutions of learning
and employ qualified persons as lecturers or consultants on a fee basis
to supplement services to be performed by its personnel hereunder. Such
fees shall be payable out of funds appropriated for these purposes on
the audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or
approved by the office.