Juvenile Services
Comprehensive Community Plan
July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2021
LINCOLN COUNTY
Submitted June 2018
P l a n D e v e l o p e d b y t h e C o m m u n i t y P l a n n i n g T e a m Team Chair: Amanda Speichert Team Co-Chair: Brandy Buscher
1020 South Dewey 1220 West 2nd Street North Platte, NE 69101 North Platte, NE 69101 [email protected] [email protected]
Written by: Jayna Schaaf County Board Chair: Duane Deterding 301 West F Street 301 North Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101 North Platte, NE 69101 [email protected] [email protected]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMMUNITY TEAM………………………………………………………………………………..…………3-4
COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION/DATA………………………………………………………………….…4-13 IDENTIFIED PRIORITY AREAS……………………………………………………………………………..…14
IDENTIFIED STRATEGIES FOR PRIORITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION……………….……15-34
APPENDIX………………………………………………………………………………………………………35-43 Approval of Plan by County Board of Commissioners Resource/Services Inventory
Juvenile Justice System Analysis Tool
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Description, History, Meeting Schedule of Community Planning Team
The membership of our Community Planning Team has been maintained at largely the same
numbers and access point representation over the last three years. Team representation meets
requirements in the Juvenile Services Comprehensive Community Planning User Manual with
the exception of having a “ministry/faith based program” and “consumer” represented. Our
Team is currently recruiting a faith based representative and is accepting ideas for the
“consumer” access point.
The team meets regularly in North Platte at McKinley Education Center, the administrative
offices for North Platte Public Schools and a central location. Team membership participation
ranges with an average of eight members per meeting in calendar years 2015-2017. The
Community Planning Team met 18 times in 2015, 7 times in 2016 and 6 times in 2017. The first
five months of 2018 saw 5 meetings. Community Connections has been designated as the “lead
agency”. The team includes the following individuals:
Community Planning Team Membership
Access Point/Name Title/Position Address Phone Email Treatment providers/ Bonnie Bauer
Youth Care Coordination Director
307 East 5th St. PO Box 519 Lexington, NE 68850
308-324-6754
County attorney (juvenile court)/ Rebecca Harling
Lincoln County Attorney
301 North Jeffers, Room 101A North Platte, NE 69101
308-534-4350 ext 320
Juvenile diversion/ Kendra Leonhardt
Family Skill Building Services LLC Manager
903 East C Street North Platte, NE 69103
308-696-0033
Health and human services/ Brenda Brooks
DHHS Service Delivery Administrator
200 South Silber North Platte, NE 69101
308-535-8042
Post-adjudication/ services or detention Brandy Buscher
School Liaison 1220 West 2nd St. North Platte, NE 69101
308-535-7105
Community-based organizations/ Ellie McClymont
Creative Art Council and Community Connections
417 Sandpiper Way North Platte, NE 69101
308-532-8547
Other (County Commissioners)/ Tammy White
Lincoln County Commissioners Office
301 North Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101
308-534-4350 ext 182
COMMUNITY TEAM
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Access Point/Name Title/Position Address Phone Email Law enforcement/ Jeremiah Johnson
School Resource Officer
1810 West 1st Street North Platte, NE 69101
308-660-1755
Prevention/mentoring/ Jayna Schaaf
Community Connections Ex. Dir.
PO Box 852 North Platte, NE 69103
308-696-3355
Law enforcement/ Roland Kramer
Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy
302 North Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101
308-539-9506
Other (County)/ Rebecca Rossell
County Clerk 301 North Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101
308-534-4350
Public defender/ defense attorneys/guardian ad litem/ Amanda Speichert
Attorney 1020 South Dewey Street North Platte, NE 69101
308-534-6740
Juvenile probation/ Lonnie Folchert Tarin Chapin
Probation Chief and JTRS Office
110 East 3rd Street North Platte, NE 69101
308-534-4350
Education/ Dr. Tami Eshleman
North Platte Public Schools Associate Superintendent
301 West F Street North Platte, NE 69101
308-535-7100
Treatment providers/ Sarah White
Youth Care Coordination
110 North Bailey, North Platte, NE 69101
308-532-4860 ext 304
Lincoln County is located in rural, west-central Nebraska. It is the third largest county in the
state with 2,564 square miles. The 2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates note
that there are now 35,777 residents in Lincoln County. Gender, race and ethnicity of this
population are provided in Table 1.
COUNTY DESCRIPTION/DATA
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Table 1
Source of data: 2016 American Community Survey 5 Year estimates
Lincoln County’s nearest metropolitan areas (Denver, CO and Lincoln, NE) are more than three
hours away by ground travel. Lincoln County is fortunate to have several larger lakes and a
major Interstate (I-80) running through its center. Other major routes of transportation include
U.S. Highway 30, Highway 83, Highway 23, Highway 25, and Highway 97.
The North Platte and South Platte Rivers join at North Platte to become the Platte River.
Lincoln County developed as a ranching/railroad region, which continues to define the
community today. North Platte was the home of Buffalo Bill and his rodeo, which remains a
major aspect of society with Nebraskaland Days and their centerpiece rodeos. The annual
event brings over 100,000 attendees every year ("About Us". Nebraskaland Days
website. Retrieved 2011-07-27).
Today, Lincoln County has a two-year community college, but it is not considered a “college
town.” The global community knows of the county seat, North Platte, for two primary reasons.
First, North Platte is the home of Union Pacific Railroad's Bailey Yard, the largest railroad
classification yard in the world. According to the Golden Spike Tower, a Union Pacific visitor
center, there are between 2,400- 2,600 Bailey Yard employees. Second, during World War II,
more than six million GI’s traveling to either coast before being shipped out to battle in Europe
or the Pacific, were welcomed by the community, at the time only 12,000 residents strong.
These six million American soldiers were given food baskets, treats and encouraging words
solely through the efforts of volunteers. It started on Christmas 1941 when a troop train
Gender, Race & Ethnicity
Total Population of Grant Area Number % of total #
Male 17,588 49.2%
Female 18,189 50.8%
Total 35,777 100.0%
White 34,157 95.5%
Black 363 1.0%
American Indian and Alaska Native 106 0.3%
Asian 226 0.6%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 7 0%
Two or more races 648 1.8%
Other 270 0.8%
Total 36,128 100.0%
Hispanic or Latino 2,888 8.1%
Not Hispanic or Latino 32,889 91.9%
Total 35,777 100.0%
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stopped in North Platte and residents surprised the soldiers with kind words and baskets of
food. This has been called the Miracle of the North Platte Canteen. This miracle continues to
inspire people today. Lincoln County still maintains its spirit of volunteerism.
According to the 2017 Kids Count In Nebraska Report, there are 9,323 children ages 19 and
under in Lincoln County with 2,184 ages 4 and under and 3,897 between the ages of 10 and 17.
Also according to the Kids Count In Nebraska Report, in 2016 there were:
53 American Indian/Alaska Native children
92 Asian/Pacific Islander children
96 Black/African American children
406 Two or more races, or non-White, Hispanic children
1,057 White, Hispanic children
7,619 White, Non-Hispanic children
According to the 2017 Kids Count In Nebraska Report, from 2011-2015, 18.2% of children 17
and under lived in poverty compared to the state percentage of 17.1%; 19.6% of children 5 and
under lived in poverty compared to the state percentage of 20.5%; 41.1% of children of color
lived in poverty compared to the state percentage of 32.7%; and 72.2 % of children 5 and under
had all available parents working. According to the 2016-2017 NE Court Improvement Project
Data report, Lincoln County’s rank of child poverty is 35 out of 71 counties.
There were 443 births in Lincoln County in 2016, 1.1% of those being to mothers ages 10-17
compared to the state report of 1.2%. 8.4% of the births were low birth weights compared to
the state report level of 7.0%. In 2015, 4.9 % of children in Lincoln County were without health
insurance. In 2016, 31.0% of children were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP compared to the
state report level of 33.7% (2017 Kids Count In Nebraska).
The “family bottom line hourly wage” in 2016 in Lincoln County was $17.13. There was also an
average of 3.1% of families on ADC compared to the state report of 2.6%. In 2015, there were
19.3% of Lincoln County children who had food insecurity compared to the state report of
18.3%. In 2016, there was a 19.1% SNAP participation among children compared to the state
report of 18.5%. In the 2015-2016 school year, there were 38.5% of children eligible for free
and reduced meals compared to the state report of 42.1%. Child maltreatment occurred at a
rate of 12 per 1,000 children in Lincoln County compared to the state report of 7.9 per 1,000
children. There were 240 state wards in Lincoln County in 2016 or 28.2 per 1,000 children
compared to the state report of 15.2 per 1,000 children. In 2016 there were 250 Lincoln County
youth ages 17 and under who were arrested. There were 187 juvenile court cases with 63.1%
having counsel (2017 Kids Count In Nebraska).
According to the Census, in July of 2016 there were 16,651 housing units in Lincoln County.
Over the years 2012-2016 the median value of owner occupied housing units was $119,600, the
median gross rent was $651 and there were 2.34 persons per household. Over these same
years, 91.9% of residents 25 years and older were high school graduates or higher and 21.7%
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held a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income was $52,179 with a per
capita income “in the last 12 months” of $27,474. 9.8% of residents under the age of 65 had a
disability. 9.1% of persons under the age of 65 were without health insurance. 9.4% of persons
lived in poverty.
During the 2016-2017 school year, Lincoln County saw a dropout rate of 5% while the state’s
drop out average was 11% (NE Department of Education State of the Schools Report). Updated
2013-2014 truancy data notes that there were 104 6th-8th grade students truant while 337
9th -12th grade students were truant. For the 2014-2015 school year, data is not available. For
the 2015-2016 school year, 60 6th-8th grade students were truant and 225 9th -12th grade
students were truant. For the 2016-2017 school year, 70 6th-8th grade students were truant
and 188 9th -12th grade students were truant.
Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey
Other factors impacting Lincoln County include drug and alcohol use attitudes and behaviors.
According to 2016 Lincoln County NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey (NRPFSS)
results, “past 30 day substance use” among 10th grade respondents was higher than the state
average in alcohol use (27.8% and 20.0%), binge drinking (10.4% and 6.9%), any tobacco use
(17.3% and 10.3%), marijuana (12.7% and 8.8%), and prescription drug use (3.3% and 2.6%).
According to 2016 Lincoln County NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey (NRPFSS)
results, “past 30-day substance use” among 12th grade respondents was higher than the state
average in alcohol use (35.9% and 34.4%), binge drinking (16.6% and 16.1%), any tobacco use
(23.5% and 17.8%), marijuana (19.3% and 15.7%), and prescription drug use (4.2% and 3.4%).
Places of alcohol use during the past 30 days among 10th grade students who reported drinking
was at 21.6 % for those who used at “my home with my parents’ permission” and 12.5% for
those who used at “someone else’s home with their parents’ permission”.
Sources for obtaining alcohol during the past 30 days among 10th grade students who reported
drinking was 43.0% “got it at a party”, 28.2% “took it from home without my parents’
permission”, and 24.8% “gave someone money to buy it for me”.
Sources for obtaining prescription drugs during the past 30 days among 10th grade students who
reported using them was: 27.8% “took them from home without my parents’ knowledge”,
22.2% reported “someone gave them to me”, and 11.1% reported they “bought them from
someone”.
Table 2 illustrates several contextual and/or living conditions for 8th, 10th and 12th grade Lincoln
County students.
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Table 2
Table 3 and 4 show other survey responses by 8th, 10th and 12th grades in Lincoln County.
Table 3
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Table 4
1,067 Lincoln County students participated in the 2016 survey, an 82.0% participation rate.
During the development of the Comprehensive Community Plan, a focus was placed on factors
that impact juveniles and that gave team members a closer look at the juvenile justice system.
Many of those factors are below under “ADDITIONAL LINCOLN COUNTY DATA COMPILED BY
COMMUNITY PLANNING TEAM”. The System Point Analysis conducted by the team is included
in the Appendix.
ADDITIONAL LINCOLN COUNTY DATA COMPILED BY COMMUNITY
PLANNING TEAM
Serious Emotional Disturbances
Source: Region II Human Services
Feelings & Experiences:
Survey responses Grade 8
Grade 10 Grade 12
At School Chance to get involved 93.9% 95.4% 93.4%
Okay to cheat 11.7% 32.7% 29.8%
With Family Important to be honest with parents
91.2% 86.1%
84.4%
Help for personal problems 87.2% 83.2% 81.4%
Discussed dangers of alcohol 46.9% 40.3% 32.8%
In Community Hard to buy alcohol 88.6%
80.8% 77.7%
Caught by police if smoking marijuana
72.7%
47.7% 38.2%
Adults I can talk to 65.5% 56.9% 50.6%
Region II Youth Care
Coordination, Wraparound
Program in Lincoln County 2015 2016 2017
Youth with Serious
Emotional Disturbances
(SED) 55 served 74 served 83 served
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Lincoln County Divorces
Source: Lincoln County Attorney’s Office
Lincoln County Youth Rehabilitation Treatment Center (YRTC) Commitments
The following table is dated March 6, 2018:
Source: District 11 Probation
Lincoln County Youth in Out of Home Placements
Source: District 11 Probation
2015 2016 2017
Divorces 246 204 187
2016 2017 2018
YRTC - Kearney 17 5 1
YRTC - Geneva 3 5 2
2016 2017
2018 (through
March)
Age 11 2 0 0
Age 12 6 5 0
Age 13 8 10 1
Age 14 18 23 0
Age 15 24 20 3
Age 16 35 22 5
Age 17 25 21 3
Age 18 3 4 0
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2015 – 2017 North Platte Police Juvenile Crime/Contacts
Source: North Platte Police Department
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2015 – 2017 Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Crime/Contacts
Source: Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
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Nebraska Family Helpline Calls from Lincoln County (2015 – 2017)
From 2015-2017 the Nebraska Family Helpline received a total of 174 calls from Lincoln County. Those calls came from 115 unique families. The average age of callers was 40.8.
Detailed information was available for 60 families. The average age of identified children was 13.4. The top 5 child issues reported were:
Rank Child Issues % of Families
1 Out of Control 55%
2 Not Following Rules 53%
3 Family Relationship Problems 42%
4 Poor Anger Control 40%
5 Lying 38%
5 School Behavior Problems 38%
Other school-related child issues reported by parents were:
Rank Child Issues % of Families
8 Academic Problems 15%
9 Truancy 13%
15 Suspension/Expulsion 3%
10% of families reported being involved in the child welfare or juvenile justice system, including 5% of identified children with juvenile legal involvement (arrest/probation). The reported delinquency-related child issues were:
Rank Child Issues % of Families
7 Substance Abuse 23%
10 Runaway 12%
12 Theft 8%
13 Vandalism 7%
14 Juvenile Legal Involvement 5%
At least 51% of identified children had a previous mental health diagnosis. The top 3 reported previous diagnoses were:
Rank Previous DX % of All DX Reported
1 ADD/ADHD 41%
2 Oppositional Defiant Disorder 14%
3 Depression 11%
3 Autism 11%
At least 67% of identified children received prior mental health treatment, mostly outpatient counseling and/or medication management. The top reasons given for ending prior mental health treatment were children refusing to participate and parents believing that treatment was ineffective. Of the families that reported prior mental health treatment for identified children, 70% of those treatments took place 3 months or less before the families’ initial calls to the Helpline.
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COMMUNITY ISSUES PRIORITIES
Priority 1: SUBSTANCE ABUSE Reduce youth substance abuse
Priority 2: TRUANCY Decrease truancy and increase school engagement
Priority 3: DIVERSION Reduce the number of youth entering the juvenile justice system
Priority 4: PREVENTION OF OTHER HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR Increase access to prevention service
Priority 5: PRE ADJUDICATION SERVICES AND ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION Provide other services
ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITY
Priority 1: SYSTEM COLLABORATION Promote systems change through community engagement, improved
policies, and other continuous improvements in communication and awareness
IDENTIFIED PRIOIRTY AREAS
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(Please note that resources listed in the tables that follow under “Community Issues Priorities” are exclusively the programs funded the Community Based dollars or are efforts conducted my members of the Community Planning Team. The list is not intended to be a comprehensive record of Lincoln County resources available.)
COMMUNITY ISSUES PRIORITIES
PRIORITY #1
SUBSTANCE ABUSE Reduce youth substance abuse
Strategies Action Steps Responsible Party Resources Needed Expected Outcomes
Prevent pre adjudicated youth from using substances by providing youth development programs allowing for healthy alternatives to risky behavior
Assets Teams
Youth Leaders
Across Ages
Changing Behaviors Alternative
Successfully implement programs with high fidelity Support programs and provide referrals
Program staff and community leaders
Referrals, staff, funding, North Platte Public Schools drug testing policy and other school and community protective factors
Decrease substance use among program participants and their peers with consistent delivery of services
Continue to educate the community on the risks associated with substance abuse
Substance Abuse Prevention System
Encourage clear, drug free policies and messages for youth including the implementation of the Lincoln County schools’ drug testing policies and other protective factors
Substance Abuse Prevention System and schools
Volunteer leaders, staff, media, funding, coordination, participation from community to not send mixed messages to youth
Reduction in 30 day use, perception of risk, increase in peer disapproval of use, increase is parent disapproval of use
IDENTIFIED STRATEGIES FOR PRIORITIES AND IMPLMENTATION
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Prevent pre adjudicated youth from using substances by providing mentoring programs allowing for healthy decisions and proper role modeling
Community Connections Mentoring
Support mentoring programs Program staff, mentors Mentor and mentee referrals, staff, funding
Decrease substance use among program participants and consistent delivery of services
Continue to provide an effective Juvenile Assessment Center to evaluate youth once contact with law enforcement has been made to determine the best course of action using community resources and varied evaluations
Continue to support successful JAC efforts
Program staff, Community Planning Team including County Attorney, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, diversion program coordinator, and school liaison
System coordinator, inventory of current services to aide in referrals, funding, pro social assessment, drug testing
Reduction in repeat or escalated offences by youth new to juvenile justice professionals; youth are served based on their unique needs at the right time; decrease delay in receiving proper services
Better understanding of services available among juvenile justice professionals Identify gaps in services or lack of funding for services
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PRIORITY #1 A predictor of future delinquency is substance abuse and chemical dependency.
Substance abuse is a product of multiple environmental conditions and circumstances. Prevention
efforts must then be aimed at changing or influencing community conditions, standards, institutions,
structures, systems, and policies to: (1) limit access to substances; (2) change the culture and context
within which decisions about substance use are made; and/or (3) shift the consequences associated
with youth substance use.
Local Data
2016 NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey
Community Planning Team empirical data
Comparatively high Lincoln County opioid prescriptions. The amount of opioids prescribed per
person in 2015 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is more than six
times more opioids per person than other NE Counties. For 2015 there were 102.2 prescriptions
dispensed per 100 persons in Lincoln County. That number decreased to 95.9 in 2016
A diversion program snap shot from January 30, 2018 concludes that 44% of charges were
directly related to substance use
Court data January 2016 – April 12, 2018
o Of 106 youth seen in Judge Turnbull’s court room during this time, all were sent to be
tested for substance use. 48 out of these 106 youth tested positive or admitted to
illegal substance use
Other Contributing Factors:
Adult substance abuse and mental health issues
Local, state and neighboring state policies and practices that contribute to increased youth
access, acceptability and availability of alcohol and other drugs combined with ubiquitous pro
use and abuse media
o Specific norms contribute to youth substance use and related problems including parent
approval, peer approval, low perceived risk
Youth need safe and healthy alternatives to high risk behavior
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PRIORITY #2
TRUANCY Decrease truancy and increase school engagement
Strategies Action Steps Responsible Party Resources Needed Expected Outcomes
Continue to provide an effective Juvenile Assessment Center to evaluate youth once contact with law enforcement has been made to determine the best course of action using community resources and varied evaluations
Continue to support successful JAC efforts
Program staff, Community Planning Team including County Attorney, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, diversion program coordinator, and school liaison
System coordinator, inventory of current services to aide in referrals, funding, pro social assessment
Reduction in repeat or escalated offences by youth new to juvenile justice professionals; youth are served based on their unique needs at the right time; decrease delay in receiving proper services
Reduce and prevent truancy through district wide school truancy and community support efforts
Continue to utilize resources that aide in school connectivity including Federal System of Care dollars for students who meet criteria Support the Attendance Task Force and the community leaders who are part of this team Continue to identify successful truancy prevention efforts (such as “Dare to Go Below Five”, partnership with Salvation Army for transportation, TLC, and TIES) that encourage student attendance and buy-in by parents
Identify causes of truancy and report at Community Planning Team
Research implementation of successful programs currently being used in other counties
Provide proper and necessary training for service providers and team members
Send messages to parents on parent portal
NPPSD personnel, North Platte Police Department, school connectivity programs, Community Planning Team
Staff, system coordination, provide truant youth with more options to reduce truancy
Improve school attendance and connectively Better understand needs of truant youth and improved school attendance and connectivity Increased parental involvement
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Establish proper protocols for students with behavioral health and behavioral needs
Continue law enforcement and NPPS Liaison home visits on habitually truant students
Reduce and prevent truancy and support scholastic success for pre adjudicated youth through mentoring programs and youth development programs
Community Connections Mentoring
Asset Teams
Youth Leaders
Changing Behaviors Alternative
Continue to support Community Connections Mentoring, Assets Teams, Youth Leaders Create awareness of healthy and drug free activities for youth
Program staff and community leaders
Staff, funding, referrals
Improve school attendance and connectively through consistent delivery of services
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PRIORITY #2 Truancy remains a concern for our Team. An overhaul of truancy remediation efforts has
been seen with North Platte Public School district-wide behavioral planning. While NPPS is leading these
efforts, the Community Planning Team recognizes that truancy can be a function of more systemic
problems and community support is necessary to reduce the factors contributing to truancy. Truancy is
a reliable predictor of delinquent behavior. Children who are habitual truants are more likely to engage
in undesirable and antisocial behaviors such as gang membership, marijuana use, alcohol use, inhalant
and hard drug use, high-risk sexual behavior, cigarette smoking , suicidal behaviors, theft, and
vandalism.
Local Data
2016 NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey
Community Planning Team empirical data
North Platte Public Schools truancy reporting (the following 7 tables were provided by North
Platte Public Schools)
Grades 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-March 2018
K 36 Not available 23 17 5
1 39 Not available 19 20 4
2 28 Not available 9 16 7
3 31 Not available 13 7 9
4 33 Not available 9 11 4
5 24 Not available 13 18 5
6 25 Not available 10 13 8
7 36 Not available 20 29 20
8 43 Not available 30 28 22
9 54 Not available 37 40 32
10 89 Not available 51 50 44
11 100 Not available 67 41 57
12 94 Not available 70 57 47
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Other Contributing Factors:
Substance abuse and mental health issues
Poor parental engagement/parental support and family structure including:
o poor parental supervision and monitoring
o problems at home that require supervising younger children or helping dysfunctional
adults
o lack of electronic (smartphones, computers, television, etc…) restrictions/monitoring
being imposed by parents
o lack of positive role models
Peer influences
Bullying or fear of violence in school
School, judicial, probation policies
Low school connectivity
Transportation continues be a contributing factor to truancy in Lincoln County however the
community has continued to provide bikes for youth in need
Poverty (higher rates of truancy at Title schools)
Age (students turn 16 and use driver’s licenses to leave campus without parents being aware)
Youth need safe and healthy alternatives to high risk behavior
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PRIORITY #3
DIVERSION Reduce the number of youth entering the juvenile justice system
Strategies Action Steps Responsible Party Resources Needed Expected Outcomes
Continue to provide an effective Juvenile Assessment Center to evaluate youth once contact with law enforcement has been made to determine the best course of action using community resources and varied evaluations
Continue to support successful JAC efforts including:
Drug testing
Family support
Monitoring school attendance
Psychological assessments
Provision/identification of pro-social activities
Program staff, Community Planning Team including County Attorney, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, diversion program coordinator, and school liaison
System coordinator, inventory of current services to aide in referrals, funding, pro social assessment
Reduction in repeat or escalated offences by youth new to juvenile justice professionals; youth are served based on their unique needs at the right time; decrease delay in receiving proper services Better understanding of services available among juvenile justice professionals Identify gaps in services or lack of funding for services
Continue to provide diversion program for pre adjudicated youth with evidence based practices
Continue referrals to diversion program Encourage continued focus on diverse evidence based programming with individualized plans for each participant
Program staff Staff, referrals, funding
Reduced juvenile involvement in the juvenile justice system
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PRIORITY #3 Diversion services are seen as a critical, redirecting youth away from formal processing
in the juvenile justice system while still holding them accountable for their actions. “The goal of
diversion is to remove youths as early in the juvenile justice process as possible to avoid later
negative outcomes associated with formal processing, such as increased odds of recidivism,
stigmatization/labeling, and increased criminal justice costs” (OJJDP).
Local Data:
2016 NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey
North Platte Police and Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office arrest/juvenile contact record
Community Planning Team empirical data
Other Contributing Factors:
Substance abuse and mental health issues
Poor parental engagement/parental support and family structure including:
o poor parental supervision and monitoring
o lack of positive role models
Peer influences
Low income
Youth need safe and healthy alternatives to high risk behavior
Diversion data (the following 2 tables were provided by the Diversion office)
2017 Number
Youth Referred 60
Youth Enrolled 44
Reason Youth Not Enrolled
Youth /parent refused diversion 13
Program declined admission 0
Referral withdrawn 3
2016 Number
Youth Referred 64
Youth Enrolled 15
Reason Youth Not Enrolled
Youth /parent refused diversion 15
Program declined admission 1
Referral withdrawn 3
2015 Number
Youth Referred 80
Youth Enrolled 63
Reason Youth Not Enrolled
Youth /parent refused diversion 14
Program declined admission 1
Referral withdrawn 0
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DIVERSION Offense Listing
Offense 2015 2016 2017
Assault 6 10 9
Consumption on Public Property 0 0 1
Criminal Mischief 3 6 7
Disturbing the Peace 0 2 1
Hit and Run 0 2 2
Larceny 0 2 0
Making False Report to Police 1 1 0
Marijuana 11 8 15
Minor in Possession 9 9 9
Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest 0 1 0
Paraphernalia 8 9 9
Shoplifting 23 6 9
State Park Regulation 0 0 2
Theft by Deception 1 0 0
Theft by Unlawful Taking 5 1 3
Tobacco, Used by Underage 1 0 2
Traffic Offense 7 3 5
Trespassing 6 0 4
Truancy 2 0 5
Uncontrollable Juvenile 11 14 4
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PRIORITY #4
PREVENTION OF OTHER HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR Increase access to prevention services
Strategies Action Steps Responsible Party Resources Needed Expected Outcomes
Continue to provide an effective Juvenile Assessment Center to evaluate youth once contact with law enforcement has been made to determine the best course of action using community resources and varied evaluations. Additional previsions:
Provide tracker services
Continue to support successful JAC efforts
Program staff, Community Planning Team including County Attorney, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, diversion program coordinator, and school liaison
System coordinator, inventory of current services to aide in referrals, funding, pro social assessment
Reduction in repeat or escalated offences by youth new to juvenile justice professionals; youth are served based on their unique needs at the right time; decrease delay in receiving proper services Better understanding of services available among juvenile justice professionals Identify gaps in services or lack of funding for services Reduced use of substances
Prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system through positive youth development programs allowing for healthy alternatives to high risk behavior
Community Connections Mentoring
Youth Leaders
Assets Teams
Changing Behaviors Alternative
Provide more and timely program referrals, create program awareness and provide general support Explore expansion to current programs that includes more high risk participants
Program staff Staff, referrals, funding Decrease high risk behavior among program participants and their peers
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PRIORITY #4 Lincoln County youth live in a high risk environment. Unsafe, unhealthy and otherwise
illegal activity by juveniles happens too frequently. It is necessary to decrease risk factors in a timely
and effective manner whereby improving behaviors.
Local Data
2016 NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey
Community Planning Team empirical data
North Platte Police and Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office arrest/juvenile contact record
2016-2018 out of home placement data
Higher juvenile court petitions filed in Lincoln County and surrounding counties for felony
charges than state
January 30, 2018 JAC Report
Juvenile Assessment Center Data Points Number
REFERRALS 71
ENROLLED 62
CURRENT OPEN CASES 19
DISCHARGE REASON
SUCCESSFUL 17
MOVED 1
FAILED TO COMPLY 18
OPTED NOT TO DO THE PORGRAM 14
PICKED UP NEW CHARGES 11
DECLINED ADMITION 4
CHARGES
3RD DEGREE ASSAULT 15
3RD DEGREE ASSAULT - FELONY 1
BURGLARY 1
DISTRABUTION OF CONTROLLED 1
MARIJUANA LESS 1 OZ 5
MINOR IN POSSESSION 7
MINOR IN POSSESSION - TOBACCO 1
POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA 3
SHOPLIFTING 4
TRESPASSING 1
THEFT 3
TRAFIC OFFENSE 2
TRUANCY 9
UNCONTROLLABLE JUVENILES 31
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Other Contributing Factors:
Adult substance abuse and mental health issues
Poor parental engagement/parental support and family structure including:
o poor parental supervision and monitoring
o lack of positive role models
o lack of electronic (smartphones, computers, television, etc…) restrictions/monitoring
being imposed by parents
Peer influences
Low school connectivity
Youth need safe and healthy alternatives to high risk behavior
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PRIORITY #5
PRE ADJUDICATION SERVICES AND ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION Provide other services
Strategies Action Steps and Responsible Party Resources Needed Expected Outcomes
Continue to provide an effective Juvenile Assessment Center to evaluate youth once contact with law enforcement has been made to determine the best course of action using community resources and varied evaluations. Additional provisions:
contracts with agencies to provide pre adjudication services
develop safety plans and alternatives to keep youth in the home
provide tracker services and family support
Continue to support successful JAC efforts
Program staff, Community Planning Team including County Attorney, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, diversion program coordinator, and a school liaison
System coordinator, inventory of current services to aide in referrals, funding, pro social assessment
Reduction in repeat or escalated offences by youth new to juvenile justice professionals; youth are served based on their unique needs at the right time; decrease delay in receiving proper services Better understanding of services available among juvenile justice professionals Identify gaps in services or lack of funding for services
Provide pre adjudication substance testing
Juvenile Court Judges order pre adjudication substance testing
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PRIORITY #5 To meet the underlying needs of youth whose circumstances and behavior does
not warrant detention but does warrant aligning their needs with the proper services, current
services need to be maintained and alternative services need to be developed.
Local Data
2016 NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey
Community Planning Team empirical data
North Platte Police and Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office arrest/juvenile contact record
2016-2018 out of home placement data
Other Contributing Factors:
Inability to access private system of care dollars (for services financially or physically unavailable
for youth)
Need for additional services
Need for improved communication between youth serving professionals within agencies and
juvenile justice system
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ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITY
PRIORITY #1
SYSTEM COLLABORATION Promote systems change through community engagement, improved policies, and other continuous improvements
in communication and awareness
Strategies Action Steps Responsible Party Resources Needed Expected Outcomes
Plan/research/discuss, implement, and evaluate school and community based pro-social opportunities in Lincoln County
The Community Planning Team has identified the following potential ideas for collaboration and services that could aid juveniles in dealing with and recovering from trauma:
Train professionals to provide group guidance to a predominantly middle school population as a pilot type initiative (i.e. Juvenile NA and AA) acknowledging that trauma care is critically needed also for much younger students. Qualified volunteers need to be identified and secured as facilitators or group aides. o The North Platte Public Schools Liaison could help with
“consent to treat” forms o Reimburse private therapists at Medicaid rates o System of Care federal dollars would be reimbursable to
private therapists if youth in the groups were those that meet the System of Care criteria and are also being individually treated
o Provide groups during summer hours --often the hours juveniles are not monitored by parents or other adults
o Schools (Madison was preferred) that host summer lunches could be a potential site. Services before and after lunch could be viable either at the school lunch location or at the Salvation Army
Volunteers, school personnel, therapists, Salvation Army and other community based resources
System collaboration, a sustained volunteer base, Medicaid reimbursement for therapists, available space, referrals
Traumatized youth need help that is currently not broadly available. Proper help will decrease risky behavior and overall health
IDENTIFIED STRATEGIES FOR PRIORITIES AND IMPLMENTATION
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Increase awareness of and utilize local resources already in place including but not limited to: o School orientation days as training opportunity for
trauma o Probation’s statewide initiative o Region II’s Seeking Safely, QPR, and Trauma Informed
Care trainings o Other community based resources o Provide peer mentoring through properly trained
mentors, i.e. older youth could be trained on trauma and visit youth in elementary schools
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ORGANIZATIONAL PRIORITY #1 It is evident that too many juveniles have experienced early
life trauma and it is often that theses juvenile are not provided the help needed to deal with
the trauma. Additional services to aide in trauma recovery are necessary so that subsequent
risky behavior is reduced.
Local Data
Community Planning Team empirical data
Nebraska Family Helpline Calls from Lincoln County (2015 – 2017)
Other Contributing Factors:
Need for additional services
More adults and juveniles need trauma training
Need for improved communication between youth serving professionals within agencies and
juvenile justice system
Adult substance abuse and mental health issues
Youth need safe and healthy alternatives to high risk behavior
2016 NE Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey in this plan and below:
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1: APPROVAL OF PLAN BY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
2: RESOURCE/SERVICES INVENTORY
3: JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ANALYSIS TOOL
APPENDIX
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RESOURCE/SERVICES INVENTORY
1. TeamMates Mentoring
2. DARE
3. North Platte Police Department o SRO o Explorers Group/Cadet Program o High School Crime Stoppers
4. Community Connections o Substance Abuse Prevention System o Tobacco Free Lincoln County Coalition o Mentoring o Assets Teams o Youth Leadership Development
5. Church youth groups
6. Local therapists
7. Organized sports
8. Post prom
9. Boy and Girl Scouts
10. Extracurricular groups
11. After school programs
12. Summer school programs
13. Truancy program
14. The Learning Center
15. TIES
16. Salvation Army
17. North Platte Public Schools Foundation
18. Youth Facilitator o Individual Change Plan o The Power of Self Talk o Getting it Right o Why Try
19. Family Skill Building o Diversion o Day and evening reporting o GPS, Tracker, Family Support
20. City of North Platte
o Sports o Rec Center o Cody Pool o Events (i.e. Dances, Brown Bag Lunches, etc…) o Mayor’s Youth Council o North Platte Library (Teen Café)
21. Cooperative Extension /4-H
22. West Central District Health Department
community based programs
23. RDAP school program
24. Great Plains Health programs
25. Lutheran Family Services
26. Youth for Christ programs
27. Region II o Youth Care Coordinator o Parenting classes, Circle of Security o Youth Mental Health First Aid o QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) Suicide
Prevention Training o Youth Seeking Safety Support Group o HALO- Healthy Alternatives to Little Ones o Prime for Life o All-Stars
28. CASA
29. Bridge of Hope
30. Project Search
31. Camp Maranatha
32. Sylvan Learning
33. Adopt a Backpack
34. Lincoln Connection programs
35. Teen AA
36. Children’s Museum
37. Keep North Platte Lincoln County Beautiful
38. Boys Town o Ecological In-Home Treatment Services o Traditional Family Support Services
39. Camp Catch Up
40. Platte River Fitness Series
41. Project Everlast
42. Children’s Museum
43. Art Center
44. Vacation Bible Schools
45. Fellowship of Christian Athletes
46. Footsteps
47. Right Turn
48. Miss Nebraska Little Sisters
49. Miss Rodeo Nebraska Little Sisters
50. Special Olympics
51. School programs/school assemblies
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40
41
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COMMUNITY PLAN DATA REVIEW FOR LINCOLN COUNTY December 2018
ACTION ITEMS
1. Include DMC data at all system points (arrest, diversion, probation, court filings, and detention)
Response:
The County Attorney has shared that beginning January 1, 2019 DMC information will be available
through the same data system, OMNI, which the Justice System uses. It is anticipated that the new
data system will allow us to better track DMC at all system points and this data will be included in
future System Analyses within Three Year Comprehensive Juvenile Plans.
2. Clarify tables for priority two
Response:
Number of Youth More Than 20 Days Absent/Truant
The above table in the original Plan shows the number of youth in each grade level that were more
than 20 days absent. Absent here includes all reasons for absence including medical, youth doesn’t
meet age requirements, youth is in a group home, etc… Other tables with key color codes and
suggested placement are below.
Grades 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-March 2018
K 36 Not available 23 17 5
1 39 Not available 19 20 4
2 28 Not available 9 16 7
3 31 Not available 13 7 9
4 33 Not available 9 11 4
5 24 Not available 13 18 5
6 25 Not available 10 13 8
7 36 Not available 20 29 20
8 43 Not available 30 28 22
9 54 Not available 37 40 32
10 89 Not available 51 50 44
11 100 Not available 67 41 57
12 94 Not available 70 57 47
2016 is yellow
2017 is blue
2016 is yellow
2017 is blue
2016 is yellow
2017 is taupe
Middle School (7th -8th grades) Middle School (6th grade)
High School (9th-12th grades)
3. If possibly, provide diversion discharge rates for successful and unsuccessful completions for priority 3 Response:
1/1/2015 – 12/31/2015
# of Youth Referred 80
# of Youth Enrolled 63
Reason Youth NOT Enrolled (limit 1 per youth):
Juvenile had new law violation(s) 1
Youth/Parent Refused 13
Diversion program declined admission 1
County/City Attorney or School withdrew youth's referral to diversion program
0
Other (moved away/death/etc) 0
Total # Reasons 15
# of Youth Carried Over from Previous Quarter 41
# of Youth (unduplicated) Completing Program 63
Total # Served (Youth Enrolled + Youth Carried Over) 104
Total # Unduplicated Youth Served 101
Reason Youth DID NOT Complete Program:
Juvenile failed to comply with program conditions 6
Juvenile had new law violation(s) 7
Other (moved away/death/etc.) 0
Total # Unduplicated Youth NOT Completing Program 13
1/1/2016 – 12/31/2016
# of Youth Referred 64
# of Youth Enrolled 51
Reason Youth NOT Enrolled (limit 1 per youth):
Juvenile had new law violation(s) 0
Youth/Parent Refused 13
Diversion program declined admission 1
County/City Attorney or School withdrew youth's referral to diversion program
2
1/1/2017 – 12/31/2017
# of Youth Referred 59
# of Youth Enrolled 44
Reason Youth NOT Enrolled (limit 1 per youth):
Juvenile had new law violation(s) 0
Youth/Parent Refused 12
Diversion program declined admission 0
County/City Attorney or School withdrew youth's referral to diversion program
0
Other (moved away/death/etc) 0
Total # Reasons 12
# of Youth Carried Over from Previous Quarter 26
# of Youth (unduplicated) Completing Program 26
Total # Served (Youth Enrolled + Youth Carried Over) 70
Total # Unduplicated Youth Served 66
Reason Youth DID NOT Complete Program:
Juvenile failed to comply with program conditions 6
Juvenile had new law violation(s) 9
Other (moved away/death/etc) 1
Total # Unduplicated Youth NOT Completing Program 16
Other (moved away/death/etc.) 0
Total # Reasons 16
# of Youth Carried Over from Previous Quarter 29
# of Youth (unduplicated) Completing Program 37
Total # Served (Youth Enrolled + Youth Carried Over) 80
Total # Unduplicated Youth Served 75
Reason Youth DID NOT Complete Program:
Juvenile failed to comply with program conditions 4
Juvenile had new law violation(s) 4
Other (moved away/death/etc) 3
Total # Unduplicated Youth NOT Completing Program 11
4. Clarify the table on page 10 for out of home placement (Is the out of home placement table on page 10 only youth in detention or does this also include group homes?)
Response:
Out of home placements include group home, foster care, shelter, detention, and Psychiatric
Residential Treatment Facility.
5. Clarify substance abuse testing in priority 5 (could you please clarify if the judge is currently ordering substance abuse testing so the JAC or other programs will provide this service, or are you needing more judges to refer for substance abuse testing?)
Response:
Judges do not order substance abuse testing for the JAC. The court orders substance abuse testing
if a youth is adjudicated and has underlying substance abuse issues. Prior to court involvement,
Diversion and the JAC use testing as needed and is agreed upon by JAC team members. The Team
together makes determinations after reviewing pertinent information; there no individual driven
decisions. Probation is not involved in JAC or diversion. JAC team members include the county
attorney, a defense attorney, employees of JAC and Diversion, and Region II Human Services.