Four County Juvenile Services Program Comprehensive Community Plan 2018 – 2021
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Four County
Juvenile Services Program
Comprehensive Community Plan
July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021 (Community Plan for the counties of Richardson, Nemaha, Johnson & Pawnee)
Prepared By: Laura Osborne Program Director
P.O. Box 83, Auburn, NE 68305 [email protected]
Chair of Team: Rick Smith Johnson County Attorney
454 Broadway, Tecumseh, NE 68450 [email protected]
Council/ Board Chair: Dave Sickel Richardson County Board Chairman
Courthouse, 1700 Stone St, Room 203 Falls City, NE 68355 [email protected]
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SECTION II
COMMUNITY TEAM
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Description of Team
The Four County Juvenile Services Team was formed in 2012 when word was
received that the previous grantee would no longer be seeking to receive funding. Jackie
Schmitz of Nebraska City contacted key stakeholders across the four counties to form the
team, which has been meeting ever since. The group’s membership fluctuates as
individuals change employment and as new community stakeholders are identified.
Current team members are listed below. The team, under the current leadership of Program
Director Laura Osborne, meets eight to ten times per year. Osborne provides agendas for
each meeting which includes regular discussion of the Diversion Program being offered in
the four counties, any immediate grant requirement needs, issues of concern being seen
among youth in our service area and an opportunity for everyone participating in the
meeting to raise items for discussion or to express their concerns and opinions. Team
members have two ways to participate in the meetings – in person or via teleconference.
For those who drive to the meetings in person from outside of the meeting host county,
mileage reimbursement is available. These factors have increased team member
participation by allowing ease of access.
All decisions regarding prioritizing community needs, community planning, grant
application priorities and grant application budget are made by the Team. Guests are
invited to the meetings to provide information about resources or community concerns as
needed. New team members are added as they are identified.
List of team members/contributors with contact info (title, address, phone numbers,
email)
1. Rick Smith, Team Chairperson, Johnson County Attorney, 454 Broadway, Tecumseh,
NE 68450, 402-335-2051, [email protected]
2. Laura Osborne, Program Director, P.O. Box 83, Auburn, NE 68305, 402-274-7510,
3. Maxine Schatz, Diversion Instructor, P.O. Box 83, Auburn, NE 68305, 402-274-7635,
4. Angelo Ligouri, Nemaha County Attorney, 1824 “N” Street, Auburn, NE 68305, 402-
274-4112, [email protected]
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5. Doug Merz, Richardson County Attorney, 1719 Stone Street, Falls City, NE 68355,
402-245-3222, [email protected]
6. Samantha Scheitel, Deputy Richardson County Attorney, 1719 Stone Street, Falls
City, NE 68355, 402-245-3222, [email protected]
7. Jennifer Stehlik-Ladman, Pawnee County Attorney, 653 G Street, Pawnee City, NE
68420, [email protected]
8. Michael Dunn, Falls City City Attorney, 111 E 17th Street, Falls City, NE 68355, 402-
245-4486, [email protected]
9. Diane Merwin, Attorney/Guardian ad Litem, 1901 N Street, Auburn, NE 68305, 402-
274-2444, [email protected]
10. The Honorable Curtis Maschman, County Court Judge, 1824 “N” Street, Auburn, NE
68305, 402-274-3008, [email protected]
11. Jennifer Manning, Juvenile Resource Supervisor, District 1 Probation,
201 North 5th Street, Suite 1, Beatrice, Nebraska 68310, 402-405-6818,
12. Kevin Reiman, Superintendent, District 29 Public Schools, 1713 J Street, Auburn,
NE 68305, 402-274-4830, [email protected]
13. Karen Mezger, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer Public Schools Counselor, 810
Central Ave, Humboldt, NE 68376, 402-862-2151, [email protected]
14. Betsy Spitser, Pawnee City Public Schools Counselor, 729 E Street, Pawnee City,
NE 68420, 402-852-2988, [email protected]
15. Marvin Bohling, Nemaha County Commissioner, 1824 “N” Street, Auburn, NE
68305, 402-414-0537, [email protected]
16. Lucus Dalinghaus, Principal, Johnson-Brock Public Schools, 310 Main St, Johnson,
NE 68378, 402-868-5235, [email protected]
17. Jack Moles, Superintendent, Johnson County Central Public Schools, 358 N 6th St,
Tecumseh, NE 68450, 402-335-3328, [email protected]
18. Rick Kentfield, Superintendent, Lewiston Public Schools, 306 Tiger Ave, Lewiston,
NE 68380, 402-865-4675, [email protected]
19. Doug Goltz, Principal, Falls City Sacred Heart School, 1820 Fulton St, Falls City,
NE 68355, 402-245-4151, [email protected]
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20. Gale Dunkhas, Principal, Falls City Public High School, 1400 Fulton St, Falls City,
NE 68355, 402-245-2116, [email protected]
21. Rick Johnson, Principal, Falls City Public Middle School, 1400 Fulton St, Falls City,
NE 68355, 402-245-3455, [email protected]
22. Dottie Heusman, Superintendent, Sterling Public Schools, 250 Main St, Sterling, NE
68443, 402-866-4761, [email protected]
23. Lisa Othmer, Principal, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer Public Schools Counselor,
810 Central Ave, Humboldt, NE 68376, 402-862-2151. [email protected]
24. Don Jacobs, Principal, Pawnee City Public Schools, 729 E Street, Pawnee City, NE
68420, 402-852-2988, [email protected]
25. Brent Lottman, Nemaha County Sheriff, 1805 “N” Street, Auburn, NE 68305, 402-
274-3139, [email protected]
26. Jamie Baker, Falls City Police Department, 1820 Towle Street, Falls City, NE 68355,
402-245-4422, [email protected]
27. Jayme Reed, Pawnee County Sheriff, 625 6th Street, Pawnee City, NE 68420,
28. Scott Walton, Johnson County Sheriff, 222 S 4th Street, Tecumseh, NE 68450,
29. Don Pounds, Richardson County Sheriff, 65086 706 Trl, Falls City, NE 68355,
30. Ashley Attoungble, Director of Mental Health Services, Blue Valley Behavioral
Health, 820 Central Ave, Suit 4, Auburn, NE 68305, [email protected]
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Section III
Juvenile Justice System Analysis Tool
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Summary of Juvenile Justice System Tool Assessment
The Four County Juvenile Justice Team completed the Juvenile Justice System
Tool in 2012, 2015 and again in 2018. This tool focused on various system points where
juveniles are contacted.
The utilization of this tool identified how authorities at various levels determine
whether juveniles are detained or if other placement or monitoring options are sought.
Nebraska state law forms the first layer of decision-making regarding contact with
juveniles in the justice system. In addition, there are many factors considered when
deciding whether or not a juvenile will be detained, released, or if other placement
options will be sought, and whether or not the juvenile will face prosecution for a
criminal charge or be offered the opportunity to complete diversion.
Some of those other factors are: Age of child, degree to which parent or service
provider pushes the issue, youth’s prior incidences with law enforcement, degree to
which juvenile cooperates with officer, whether or not the youth is already in the Health
and Human Services system, immediate risk to juvenile, immediate/short term risk to
public, seriousness of perceived offense, extent to which parent or other responsible adult
is able to take responsibility for juvenile, availability of pre-adjudication of detention
options, input of county attorney, criteria followed within Probation Department,
eligibility for diversion, mental status of the juvenile, prior conduct of juvenile, and
which services are available as alternatives.
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Section IV
Community Socio-Economics
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Our team’s plan covers Richardson, Nemaha, Johnson and Pawnee counties in
southeast Nebraska.
Main Transportation Routes
Nemaha and Johnson Counties have U.S. Highway 136 running east/west through
them. Nemaha and Richardson Counties have U.S. Highway 75 running north/south
through them. Johnson and Pawnee Counties have U.S. Highway 50 running north/south
through them. The Missouri River is the eastern boundary of both Nemaha and Richardson
Counties. Highways 136 and 75 intersect in Auburn, and that intersection is approximately
15 miles west of the Highway 136 and Interstate 29 connection in Missouri.
In addition to the main highways, there are a few other State highways, city streets
and county roads throughout the four counties. Some cities’ streets are paved complete
with curbing while some are paved without curbs. County roads vary in degree of rock
surfacing with some remaining as dirt roads.
Main Economies
Agriculture and agricultural support are main economies throughout all four of our
counties. Others by county are:
Richardson: Medical (Richardson County is home to Community Medical Center in Falls
City, a designated Trauma Center, which provides both general family medicine through
their clinic and hospital, and provides obstetrical care and infant delivery through their
clinic and hospital), food processing, metal manufacturing, plastics, and repair services.
Nemaha: Medical (Nemaha County is home to Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn which
is a designated Trauma Center. There is also a physician’s office, two chiropractic offices
and two dental offices within Auburn as well as multiple pharmacies, an assisted living
facility and a nursing home.), energy (Cooper Nuclear Station is located in Brownville),
higher education (Peru State College is located in Peru. From late August to early May
each year, there are approximately 2,400 students enrolled, about 1,000 of which live on
campus, the remainder commuting to classes from around the area), and manufacturing
(Ariens and Magnolia Metal).
Johnson: Medical (Tecumseh is home to Johnson County Hospital as well as Tecumseh
Family Health clinic and the Belle Terrace Nursing Home and Ridgeview Towers Assisted
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Living Facility). Correctional (the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution is located just
north of Tecumseh), and Tecumseh Poultry food production.
Pawnee: Medical (The Pawnee County Hospital is located in Pawnee City), Animal food
production (CJ Foods), and fertilizer chemicals.
CENSUS DATA SETS: Population Numbers by County From census.gov/quickfacts
County Population 2016
Estimate
Persons under 5 years, %
2016
Persons under 18 years, %
2016
Persons 65 years and over, % 2016
Johnson 5,171 4.5% 19.7% 17.2% Nemaha 6,971 5.9% 21.5% 19.0% Pawnee 2,652 6.0% 22.0% 26.0% Richardson 8,060 5.7% 21.1% 24.0%
Ethnicity by County (all % 2016) From census.gov/quickfacts
County White alone
Black or African
American Alone
American Indian
and Alaska native alone
Asian Alone
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific
Islander alone
Two or
more races
Hispanic or
Latino
White alone,
not Hispanic
or Latino
Johnson 89.8% 6.2% 1.4% 1.5% 0.0% 1.1% 10.4% 80.3% Nemaha 96.4% 1.2% 0.5% 0.6% * 1.3% 3.0% 93.9% Pawnee 97.2% 0.6% 0.2% 0.3% 0.0% 1.7% 1.8% 95.4% Richardson 93.6% 0.4% 3.2% 0.4% * 2.3% 1.9% 92.3%
* - Value greater than zero but less than half unit of measure shown
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Miscellaneous Population Information From quickfacts.census.gov
County High School
graduate or higher
(% of persons age 25+)
Bachelor’s degree or higher (%
of persons age 25+)
Mean travel
time to work
(minutes) workers age 16+
Per capita money
income in past 12 months (2016
dollars) 2012-2016
Median house-
hold income
2012-2016
Persons below
poverty level, %
2012-2016
Johnson 88.4% 16.0% 22.2 $21,890 $47,938 12.6% Nemaha 94.4% 28.8% 19.5 $28,690 $52,736 13.4% Pawnee 90.7% 16.2% 19.7 $27,039 $40,139 15.4% Richardson 91.0% 19.1% 18.0 $26,638 $45,929 12.4%
Land Areas: (From census.gov/quickfacts) Johnson County – 376.05 square miles, 13.9 persons per square mile Nemaha County – 407.38 square miles, 17.8 persons per square mile Pawnee County – 431.08 square miles, 6.4 persons per square mile Richardson County – 551.84 square miles, 15.2 persons per square mile
Percentage of Students in Poverty of Overall Student Enrollment Per District (from the Nebraska Dept of Education website) Note: Falls City Sacred Heart statistics not reported through this source
Auburn Johnson- Brock
Ster-ling
Johnson County Central
Paw-nee City
Lewis-ton
Falls City
Public
Humboldt Table Rock
Steinauer
State of
Nebr.
“mem
bers
hip”
866 341 196 529 300 217 875 377 318,853
Pove
rty
Perc
enta
g
35.57% 36.07% 25.0% 52.93% 49.33% 51.61% 50.29% 51.99% 44.65%
Educational Opportunities
There are several school districts throughout our four counties and one college.
These educational opportunities by county are:
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Richardson: Falls City Public Schools, Falls City Sacred Heart Schools, Humboldt-Table
Rock-Steinauer Public Schools
Nemaha: Auburn Public Schools, Johnson-Brock Public Schools, Peru State College.
Johnson: Johnson County Central Public Schools, Sterling Public Schools.
Pawnee: Pawnee City Public Schools, Lewiston Public Schools, Humboldt-Table Rock-
Steinauer Public Schools.
Historic and Natural Attractions
Richardson and Nemaha Counties are home to Indian Cave State Park. This park
offers hiking, horseback riding, historical education, camping, and the opportunity to view
American Indian writings on walls of a cave on the Missouri River bank.
Museums in the area include the Nemaha Valley Museum, the Merriwether Lewis
dry dock boat museum, The Harold Lloyd silent films museum in Burchard (Pawnee
County), Peru Historical Society museum, and various museums in Brownville (first
capital city of Nebraska) of both historic and fine arts topics.
Landmarks/lakes in the area are Rotary Lake in Auburn, Kirkman’s Cove in
Richardson County near Humboldt, and the Missouri River.
Peru State College is a historical location, being the first college established in
Nebraska.
Other Dynamics Significant to the Social and Economic Make up of the Counties
Richardson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Johnson Counties are seeing a shrinking number
of individuals employed directly as farmers. As agricultural jobs have dropped, we have
not seen a corresponding number of other employment opportunities rise to offset the
change.
In five of our schools, the amount of students who are in poverty is at or near 50%,
with three of those being slightly above 50% poverty rate.
School administrators have noted that they are seeing a more transient population
than in the past. Families move into the district at all times of the school year and move
out after three to nine months in the district.
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Section V
Identified Priority Areas
& Corresponding Strategies
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Priority #1 Strengthen Current Diversion Program Four County Juvenile Justice Diversion Data Charges for which juveniles were referred to the diversion program
Charge 2015 2016 2017 Assault 0 4 0 Consumption on Public Property 0 0 5
Criminal Mischief 4 14 2 Disturbing the Peace 0 3 0 Fireworks Violations 4 0 0 Indecent Exposure 0 1 0 Making False Report to Police 1 0 1
Marijuana Possession of Less than 1 ounce 1 3 4
Minor in Possession of Alcohol 38 38 60
Narcotic Equipment – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
0 0 2
Shoplifting/Theft 1 0 2 Threats 0 0 1 Tobacco; Use by Underage 1 0 1
Traffic Offenses 3 10 14 Trespassing 0 0 4 Vandalism 0 0 1
Totals: 53 73 97
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Data from Nebraska Risk and Protective Factors Student Surveys Combined results for counties of Richardson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Johnson Other Contributing Factors:
• The need for a diversion program for our youth continues across our four counties. We have established a strong foundation for the program over the past three years in working with the county and city attorneys.
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Strategy 1 Continue to research any new diversion program curriculum options that may arise. Partner with UNO Juvenile Justice Institute to determine qualifications for “evidence-based” requirements for any new options that are chosen for use, and maintain a strengths-based approach. Stakeholders Involved Program Director, Diversion Instructor, UNO Juvenile Justice Institute personnel, County Attorneys, City Attorneys, other diversion programs. Timeline Year 1: Diversion Program staff will attend continuing education opportunities as available and appropriate. Continue to develop evaluation processes to determine efficacy. Year 2: Continue to provide staff with training opportunities. Conduct evaluation to determine efficacy. Make changes as needed. Year 3: Continue to provide staff with training opportunities. Continue evaluation to determine efficacy. Make changes as needed. Resources Required We will need to communicate with other diversion program providers to inquire about their program curriculum options utilized. We will evaluate training opportunities as they become available for attendance by diversion staff. We will also need the ability to work with the UNO Juvenile Justice Institute to ensure that the options we choose from are evidence-based or that we are able to initiate means to make them evidence-based through data monitoring. Any individuals who will provide diversion services will need training in any new curriculum as well as regarding program evaluation techniques, and continuing education will be important as well. When ready to implement new curriculum options, we will need an internal policy change regarding what referrals our program is able to accept from County and City Attorneys. The need for interpreter services will need to be monitored and allowed for in budgets. While youth may not experience difficulty with speaking English, some parents may have issues with English as a second language. Postage, telephone services and e-mail account services are needed for program staff. Insurance for diversion participants completing community service requirements will need to continue to be provided.
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Expected Results • Continued referrals to the program and increased successful program completions. • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system).
Strategy 2 Continuing education for diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Stakeholders Involved Diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Timeline Year 1: Utilize local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members which will allow us to learn of new curriculum options when they arise. Year 2: Utilize local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members which will allow us to learn of new curriculum options when they arise. Year 3: Utilize local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members which will allow us to learn of new curriculum options when they arise. Resources Required
• Training opportunities • Funding for attendance at trainings • Insurance for diversion participants completing community service requirements
Expected Results • Continued referrals to the program and increased successful program completions. • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system).
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Priority #2 Address Youth Mental Health Needs
Blue Valley Behavioral Health Youth Assistance Program (YAP) Data Hours of direct mental health counseling services provided
to youth in schools identified to be at risk by school administration
2016-2017 School year 241.50 total hours provided in the 9 schools of our four counties 2017-2018 School year so far, 186.75 hours have been provided. However, more hours of service were needed, but funding for the program was becoming depleted, so Blue Valley Behavioral Health had to limit services. Quote from the YAP Coordinator at BVBH concerning the YAP participants: “The top problem we see is family problems-this is so broad because it could be the parents' mental health or substance use issues, CPS involvement, divorce, or just plain unhealthy dynamics/communication. Family of origin issues in general are considered a core issue for problem behaviors.” Responses from Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol Interviews (sampling of pulled quotes from interviews conducted in our four counties) “In our community I see that there are a lot of kids being taken in to foster care.” “I see generational substance abuse here.” All but two of the 56 respondents indicated that they believe that alcohol use and use of other substances impacts mental health. Other Contributing Factors:
• Access to mental health services for juveniles can be difficult in southeast Nebraska due to limited amount of providers in the rural areas and direct personnel in schools.
• Parents are not always able to afford mental health services for their children. Strategy 1 Seek resources that can be utilized in schools for direct mental health services availability Stakeholders Involved Four County Juvenile Services Program Director, schools’ representatives
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Timeline Year 1: The Program Director will communicate with all nine school districts to stay informed of the mental health needs they are seeing in their schools. Program Director will also remain in communication with Blue Valley Behavioral Health (BVBH) Services regarding their Youth Assistance Program and its usage and efficacy where it is being utilized in the nine school districts. Communication with BVBH will include discussion of unmet needs their staff is seeing in the nine schools. Program Director will also communicate with appropriate agencies and grant funders to learn of opportunities to bring additional funding and/or services to the nine schools as appropriate. Year 2: The Program Director will communicate with all nine school districts to stay informed of the mental health needs they are seeing in their schools. Program Director will also remain in communication with Blue Valley Behavioral Health (BVBH) Services regarding their Youth Assistance Program and its usage and efficacy where it is being utilized in the nine school districts. Communication with BVBH will include discussion of unmet needs their staff is seeing in the nine schools. Program Director will also communicate with appropriate agencies and grant funders to learn of opportunities to bring additional funding and/or services to the nine schools as appropriate Year 3: The Program Director will communicate with all nine school districts to stay informed of the mental health needs they are seeing in their schools. Program Director will also remain in communication with Blue Valley Behavioral Health (BVBH) Services regarding their Youth Assistance Program and its usage and efficacy where it is being utilized in the nine school districts. Communication with BVBH will include discussion of unmet needs their staff is seeing in the nine schools. Program Director will also communicate with appropriate agencies and grant funders to learn of opportunities to bring additional funding and/or services to the nine schools as appropriate Resources Required
• Contact person for every school district within the four counties • Teleconference capabilities • Facilitation by Program Director • Telephone and travel expenses for Program Director to talk/meet with appropriate
agencies and grant funders as needed Expected Results
• Decreased negative impacts of mental health issues upon youth • Decreased behavioral referrals to schools’ administrations • Increased communication between school districts through an efficient connected
network with open communication • Increased amount of juveniles accessing needed services
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Strategy 2 Communicate information on available resources to parents who are concerned about mental health, substance use/abuse, and social concerns/needs of their child. Stakeholders Involved Program Director, Diversion Instructor, County Attorneys, Law Enforcement, Court Personnel, local mental health care providers and appropriate local organizations. Timeline Year 1: Program Director will assist school districts as requested in developing means to share information about available resources for parents who are concerned about mental health, substance use/abuse, and social concerns/needs of their child. Year 2: As new resources become available, revise information that is shared with parents about available resources. Continue to evaluate effectiveness and make changes as needed. Year 3: As new resources become available, revise information that is shared with parents about available resources. Continue to evaluate effectiveness and make changes as needed. Resources Required
• Time of Project Director to make develop means to share information. • Team meetings time to review and discuss efforts. • Contacts with distribution points (diversion program, county attorneys’ offices,
law enforcement agencies, courts and appropriate local organizations). • Ability to develop measurement tool.
Expected Results
• Increased amount of parents having awareness of available resources.
• Increased utilization of available resources by families.
• Decreased negative behaviors by youth.
Priority #3 Risky behaviors by youth
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Data from Nebraska Risk and Protective Factors Student Surveys Combined results for counties of Richardson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Johnson
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Data from Nebraska Risk and Protective Factors Student Surveys Combined results for counties of Richardson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Johnson Responses from Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol Interviews (sampling of pulled quotes from interviews conducted in our four counties) “I am hearing that substances other than alcohol are a bigger problem.” “I hear that marijuana is becoming more prevalent here.” “I’ve recently heard that vaping is becoming popular here.” “I am seeing that a lot of kids getting involved in drugs have parents who have been involved in drugs.” “Last year another school in the region had kids who overdosed on K2 and we know that some of our students could have been with them.”
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One law enforcement officer interviewed said the following: “The last party we busted there was no alcohol there – it was all drugs.” Other Contributing Factors
• Youth fail to perceive the risks they are taking when participating in risky behaviors • Youth are able to access alcohol and drugs when they are not legally able to
purchase them • Schools’ options for consequences of substance abuse are limited to what occurs on
school property or for participants in extracurricular activities. Beyond those areas, parents are responsible for enacting consequences for risky behavior. Legal consequences occur only when youth are caught by law enforcement.
• Community members across the four counties have expressed a desire to make a positive difference for youth, but do not know what efforts to do so exist or how to become involved.
Strategy 1 Continue providing a diversion program for youth across our four counties. Stakeholders Involved Program Director, Diversion Instructor, UNO Juvenile Justice Institute personnel, County Attorneys, City Attorneys. Timeline Year 1: Diversion Program staff will attend continuing education opportunities as available and appropriate. Continue to develop evaluation processes to determine efficacy. Year 2: Continue to provide staff with training opportunities. Conduct evaluation to determine efficacy. Make changes as needed. Year 3: Continue to provide staff with training opportunities. Continue evaluation to determine efficacy. Make changes as needed. Resources Required We will need to communicate with other diversion program providers to inquire about their program curriculum options utilized. We will evaluate training opportunities as
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they become available for attendance by diversion staff. We will also need the ability to work with the UNO Juvenile Justice Institute to ensure that the options we choose from are evidence-based or that we are able to initiate means to make them evidence-based through data monitoring. Any individuals who will provide diversion services will need training in any new curriculum as well as regarding program evaluation techniques, and continuing education will be important as well. When ready to implement new curriculum options, we will need an internal policy change regarding what referrals our program is able to accept from County and City Attorneys. The need for interpreter services will need to be monitored and allowed for in budgets. While youth may not experience difficulty with speaking English, some parents may have issues with English as a second language. Postage, telephone services and e-mail account services are needed for program staff. Insurance for diversion participants completing community service requirements will need to continue to be provided. Expected Results • Continued referrals to the program and increased successful program completions. • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system).
Strategy 2 Utilize a previously created group of school representatives to specifically address needs and share successes concerning youth mental health needs in schools Stakeholders Involved School representatives and Program Director Timeline Year 1: Program Director will coordinate/facilitate communication between the nine school districts to learn of needs seen by schools concerning youth mental health. Program Director will reach out to organizations and/or grant funders to seek out resources to meet the identified needs of the schools, helping to bring resources to the schools. Program Director will also coordinate communication between the nine school districts to share successes they experience in regards to addressing youth mental health needs in schools. Coordinated communications can include, but not be limited to telephone meetings, email communications and in-person meetings. Resources utilized by schools will have to be evidence-based and will be measured for efficacy.
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Year 2: Program Director will coordinate/facilitate communication between the nine school districts to learn of needs seen by schools concerning youth mental health. Program Director will reach out to organizations and/or grant funders to seek out resources to meet the identified needs of the schools, helping to bring resources to the schools. Program Director will also coordinate communication between the nine school districts to share successes they experience in regards to addressing youth mental health needs in schools. Coordinated communications can include, but not be limited to telephone meetings, email communications and in-person meetings. Resources utilized by schools will have to be evidence-based and will be measured for efficacy. Year 3: Program Director will coordinate/facilitate communication between the nine school districts to learn of needs seen by schools concerning youth mental health. Program Director will reach out to organizations and/or grant funders to seek out resources to meet the identified needs of the schools, helping to bring resources to the schools. Program Director will also coordinate communication between the nine school districts to share successes they experience in regards to addressing youth mental health needs in schools. Coordinated communications can include, but not be limited to telephone meetings, email communications and in-person meetings. Resources utilized by schools will have to be evidence-based and will be measured for efficacy. Resources Required
• Funding for school representatives and Program Director to hold telephone, email or in person meetings throughout the four-county area
• Training opportunities • Funding for attendance at trainings • Program Director will need funding for telephone, email and in-person
communication with appropriate agencies and grant funders to learn of opportunities to bring additional funding and/or services to the nine schools as appropriate
Expected Results • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced juvenile citations for law violations • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system). • Reduced behavioral referrals to schools’ administrators within each school.
Strategy 3 Conduct coordinated messaging throughout all schools in the four counties to promote positive youth behaviors and to connect individuals interested in reducing youth risky behaviors
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Stakeholders Involved School Representatives, Program Director and Team Members Timeline Year 1: Program Director will communicate with a previously created group of school representatives to determine a set of coordinated messages to be promoted during the school year to youth and adults in the schools and communities. These messages will promote positive youth behaviors and parenting skills. Program Director and Team Members will seek partnerships within the counties to establish means of communicating these messages to adults in the community. Year 2: Program Director will communicate with a previously created group of school representatives to determine a set of coordinated messages to be promoted during the school year to youth and adults in the schools and communities. These messages will promote positive youth behaviors and parenting skills. Program Director and Team Members will seek partnerships within the counties to establish means of communicating these messages to adults in the community. Year 3: Program Director will communicate with a previously created group of school representatives to determine a set of coordinated messages to be promoted during the school year to youth and adults in the schools and communities. These messages will promote positive youth behaviors and parenting skills. Program Director and Team Members will seek partnerships within the counties to establish means of communicating these messages to adults in the community. Resources Required
• Program Director will need to be able to communicate via email, telephone and in-person with school representatives and community stakeholders.
• Time at Team Meetings to discuss and take action. • Funding for creation and distribution of messages.
Expected Results • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced juvenile citations for law violations • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system). • Reduced behavioral referrals to schools’ administrators within each school.
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Strategy 4 Continuing education for diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Stakeholders Involved Diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Timeline Year 1: Provide local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members. Year 2: Provide local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Year 3: Provide local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Resources Required
• Training opportunities • Funding for attendance at trainings
Expected Results • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced juvenile citations for law violations • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system). • Reduced behavioral referrals to schools’ administrators within each school.
Priority #4 Empower parents and other adults in the community to encourage positive behaviors by youth and to provide consequences for youth negative behaviors Data from Nebraska Risk and Protective Factors Student Surveys Combined results for counties of Richardson, Nemaha, Pawnee and Johnson In 2016, 17.6% of 8th graders, 41.1% of 10th graders and 64.8% of 12th graders said they had consumed alcohol in their lifetime. However, across all grade levels, less than 50% said their parents had discussed the dangers of alcohol with them.
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In 2016, across all grade levels, less than half of students said the first person they would go to if they had a drug or alcohol problem was their parents. For 12th graders the amount dropped to 30.3%. Responses from Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol Interviews (sampling of pulled quotes from interviews conducted in our four counties) “I hear that there are a wide range of parents who are permissive with drinking to those who are strict against it.” “I am seeing that a lot of kids getting involved in drugs have parents who have been involved in drugs.” “There is generational substance abuse here, we are seeing a more cyclical pattern of it.” “I am concerned about adults who pass down habits – who are addicted and don’t know it and are okay with their kids drinking.” “I don’t think there are a lot of educational efforts going on about these issues here.” “Probably the biggest concern is parents not instilling proper guidance on young people, especially having consequences for teenagers. I don’t think they realize what can happen and how it would affect their children for the rest of their lives if something happens.” “I don’t think that adults or kids understand the potential for damage that early drinking can do to a youth and their development.” The 56 respondents were asked where they believe information about alcohol and substance use should come from to youth. The top two answers were parents and schools. Quote from the Director of Mental Health Services at Blue Valley Behavioral Health concerning the Youth Assistance Program participants: “The top problem we see is family problems-this is so broad because it could be the parents' mental health or substance use issues, CPS involvement, divorce, or just plain unhealthy dynamics/communication. Family of origin issues in general are considered a core issue for problem behaviors.” Other Contributing Factors:
• Our team discussed how to reach juveniles effectively, asking ourselves who sees the problems with youth risky behaviors first? The answer was clearly either parents or schools or both. Therefore, we believe it is important to continue endeavors within our schools and to find ways to reach out to parents.
• Based on responses to the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol interviews, we believe it is important to connect caring adults in the community so they can work to impact youth risky behaviors.
• Schools’ options for consequences of substance abuse are limited to what occurs on school property or for participants in extracurricular activities. Beyond those areas, parents are responsible for enacting consequences for risky behavior. Legal consequences occur only when youth are caught by law enforcement.
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• In some households in our four counties, the youth may not experience difficulty with speaking and understanding English, however, their parents may have difficulty with English as a second language
• Identifying and locating/obtaining services can be difficult for parents in our rural area
Strategy 1 Conduct coordinated messaging throughout all schools in the four counties to promote positive youth behaviors and to connect individuals interested in reducing youth risky behaviors Stakeholders Involved School Representatives, Program Director and Team Members Timeline Year 1: Program Director will communicate with a previously created group of school representatives to determine a set of coordinated messages to be promoted during the school year to youth and adults in the schools and communities. These messages will promote positive youth behaviors and parenting skills. Program Director and Team Members will seek partnerships within the counties to establish means of communicating these messages to adults in the community. Year 2: Program Director will communicate with a previously created group of school representatives to determine a set of coordinated messages to be promoted during the school year to youth and adults in the schools and communities. These messages will promote positive youth behaviors and parenting skills. Program Director and Team Members will seek partnerships within the counties to establish means of communicating these messages to adults in the community. Year 3: Program Director will communicate with a previously created group of school representatives to determine a set of coordinated messages to be promoted during the school year to youth and adults in the schools and communities. These messages will promote positive youth behaviors and parenting skills. Program Director and Team Members will seek partnerships within the counties to establish means of communicating these messages to adults in the community. Resources Required
• Program Director will need to be able to communicate via email, telephone and in-person with school representatives and community stakeholders.
• Time at Team Meetings to discuss and take action. • Funding for creation and distribution of messages.
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Expected Results • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced juvenile citations for law violations • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system). • Reduced behavioral referrals to schools’ administrators within each school.
Strategy 2 Continuing education for diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Stakeholders Involved Diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Timeline Year 1: Provide local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members. Year 2: Provide local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Year 3: Provide local, regional, state level and national level opportunities for continuing education of diversion program staff and juvenile justice team members Resources Required
• Training opportunities • Funding for attendance at trainings
Expected Results • Decrease in risky behaviors by youth. • Reduced juvenile citations for law violations • Reduced recidivism rates (reduction in the number of people who enter the legal
system). • Reduced behavioral referrals to schools’ administrators within each school.
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Appendix
Approval Letters from County Boards
SYSTEM POINT: ARREST/ CITATION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Police/Law Enforcement
Decision: Whether an information report should be filed, or what offense, if any, with which juvenile
should be cited or arrested.
Formal Determining Factors
a. Sufficient factual basis to
believe offense was
committed
b. Underlying support for a
particular offense
Informal Determining Factors
a. Officer’s inclination
b. Degree to which parent or service provider pushes the issue
c. Youth’s prior incidences with law enforcement
Decision: Whether to cite or arrest juvenile for juvenile or adult offense.
Formal Determining Factors
a. Seriousness of Offense
b. Is there a warrant
Informal Determining Factors
a. Degree to which juvenile cooperates with officer
b. Victim’s desire
c. Is the youth already system involved
d. Input from respective agency
e. Prior incidences with law enforcement
Decision: Whether to take juvenile into custody or to cite and release
Formal Determining Factors
Informal Determining Factors
a. Immediate risk to juvenile
b. Immediate/short term risk to public
c. Seriousness of perceived offense
d. Extent to which parent or other responsible adult available to
take responsibility for juvenile
e. Is there a warrant
f. Availability of pre-adjudication detention options
g. Crisis Response recommendation
SYSTEM POINT: INITIAL DETENTION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: State of Nebraska Probation
Decision: Whether juvenile should be detained, placed in an alternative or released
Formal Determining Factors
a. Risk assessment outcome
i. Public safety risk
ii. Risk of failure to appear
b. Accessibility of placement options:
i. Parents/Guardians
ii. Community-based alternatives
(electronic monitoring, tracker, etc.)
iii. Emergency Shelter
iv. Staff Secure Facility
v. Secure Detention Facility
Informal Determining Factors
a. Detention options available
b. Alternatives available
c. Parent/Guardian willingness to
take youth back in the home
on detention alternative
SYSTEM POINT: CHARGE JUVENILE
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: County Attorney
Decision: Whether to prosecute juvenile.
Formal Determining Factors
a. Likelihood of successful prosecution
b. Factors under NRS § 43-276:
Informal Determining Factors
a. Nebraska Youth Screen (NYS) results
b. Juvenile Diversion eligibility
c. Whether juvenile and parent will participate in
diversion option
Decision: Whether youth should be prosecuted as juvenile or adult.
Formal Determining Factors
a. Seriousness of offense
Informal Determining Factors
Decision: Offense for which juvenile should be charged.
Formal Determining Factors
d. Elements of the crime
e. Sufficiency of evidence
Informal Determining Factors
a. Input from victim(s)
b. NYS screen results
SYSTEM POINT: PRE-ADJUDICATION DETENTION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Juvenile Court Judge
Decision: Whether juvenile detained at the time of citation/arrest should continue in detention or out-of-
home placement pending adjudication.
Formal Determining Factors
a. Whether there is an “immediate and urgent necessity for the
protection of such juvenile”
b. Whether there is an “immediate and urgent necessity for the
protection of…the person or property of another”
c. Whether juvenile is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court
Informal Determining Factors
a. Availability of
detention-alternatives
b. Cooperation of
parent/guardian to
allow juvenile home
SYSTEM POINT: PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Juvenile Court Judge
Decision: Whether the state can show probable cause exists that a juvenile is within the jurisdiction of the
court.
Formal Determining Factors Informal Determining Factors
SYSTEM POINT: COMPETENCY EVALUATION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Juvenile Court Judge
Decision: Whether juvenile is competent to participate in the proceedings.
Formal Determining Factors
Informal Determining Factors
Decision: Whether juvenile is “responsible” for his/her acts NRS § 43-258(1(c) and (2))
Formal Determining Factors
a. Physician, Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Community Health Program,
Psychologist
b. “Complete evaluation of the juvenile including any authorized
area of inquiry requested by the court.” (NRS § 43-258(2))
Informal Determining
Factors
SYSTEM POINT: ADJUDICATION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Juvenile Court Judge
Decision: Whether the juvenile is, beyond a reasonable doubt, “a person described by section 43-247.”
Formal Determining Factors
a. Legal sufficiency of evidence
presented during adjudication hearing
b. Whether juvenile admits the
allegations of the petition (or, “pleads
to the charges”)
Informal Determining Factors
Decision: Whether to order probation to conduct a pre-disposition investigation
Formal Determining Factors Informal Determining Factors
Decision: Whether to order an evaluation
Formal Determining Factors Informal Determining Factors
SYSTEM POINT: DISPOSITION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Juvenile Court Judge
Decision: Determination of best placement/treatment for juvenile (probation, treatment, YRTC, etc.)
Formal Determining Factors Informal Determining Factors
SYSTEM POINT: ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Probation
Decision: Whether to impose administrative sanctions on a probationer
Formal Determining Factors (NRS § 29-2266 (2))
a. Probation officer has reasonable cause to believe that probationer has
committed or is about to commit a substance abuse violation or a non-
criminal violation
Informal Determining
Factors
b. Substance abuse violation refers to a positive test for drug or alcohol
use, failure to report for such a test, or failure to comply with substance
abuse evaluations or treatment
c. Non-criminal violation means:
i. Moving traffic violations;
ii. Failing to report to his or her probation officer;
iii. Leaving the jurisdiction of the court or leaving the state
without the permission of the court or his or her probation
officer;
iv. Failing to work regularly or attend training school;
v. Failing to notify his or her probation officers of change of
address or employment;
vi. Frequenting places where controlled substances are
illegally sold, used, distributed, or administered;
vii. Failing to perform community service as directed;
viii. Failing to pay fines, courts costs, restitution, or any fees
imposed pursuant to section 29-2262.06.
SYSTEM POINT: MOTION TO REVOKE PROBATION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: County Attorney
Formal Determining Factors Informal Determining Factors
SYSTEM POINT: MODIFICATION/REVOCATION OF PROBATION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Juvenile Court Judge
Formal Determining Factors Informal Determining Factors
SYSTEM POINT: SETTING ASIDE ADJUDICATION
PARTY RESPONSIBLE: Juvenile Court Judge
Decision: Whether juvenile has satisfactorily completed his or her probation and supervision or the
treatment program of his or her commitment
Formal Determining Factors (43-2,103)
a. Juvenile’s post-adjudication behavior and response to treatment and
rehabilitation programs
b. Whether setting aside adjudication will depreciate seriousness of juvenile’s
conduct or promote disrespect for law
c. Whether failure to set aside adjudication may result in disabilities
disproportionate to the conduct upon which the adjudication was based.
Informal
Determining
Factors
AREA REPORTED
State :Nebraska
County:Richardson, Nemaha, Johnson & Pawnee Reporting Period Jan 1 / 2017
Total
Youth White
Black or
African-
American
Hispanic
or Latino Asian
Native
Hawaiian
or other
Pacific
Islanders
American
Indian or
Alaska
Native
Other/
Mixed
All
Minorities
1. Population at risk (age 10 through 17 ) 2,187 1,947 44 190 10 0 38 8 240
2. Juvenile Arrests* 40 40 0
3. Refer to Juvenile Court 183 83 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
3.a Cases Sealed 21 16 0 0 0 0 0 0
4. Cases Diverted 75 69 5 1 6
5. Cases Involving Secure Detention *
6. Cases Petitioned (Charge Filed) 187 86 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
7. Cases Adjudicated Delinquent 34 19 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
8. Cases resulting in Probation Placement 36 30 2 0 0 0 2 2 6
9. Cases Resulting in Confinement in Secure Juvenile
Correctional Facilities (YRTC)
10. Cases Transferred to Adult Court 15 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Meets 1% rule for group to be assessed? Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Norelease date: /12/09
* - We do not have no secure detention facility for juveniles in
our four counties
5. DATA SOURCES & NOTES
Item 8: Probation: NE State Probation
Item 10: Transferred to Adult Court:Item 9: Confinement: State Probation
Item 7: Delinquent:
Data Entry Section
Item 2: Arrest: NE Crime Commission Arrest Data Query
Item 4: Diversion
Item 6: Petitioned:Item 5: Detention: NE State Probation
Item 3: Referral:
Item 1: Population: OJJDP Easy Access to Juv
through Dec 31 / 2017