LINCOLN COUNTY - Nebraska County.pdfKendra Leonhardt Family Skill Building Services LLC Manager 903 East C Street North Platte, NE 69103 308-696-0033 [email protected] Health

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]

mailto:[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

[email protected]

County attorney (juvenile court)/ Rebecca Harling

Lincoln County Attorney

301 North Jeffers, Room 101A North Platte, NE 69101

308-534-4350 ext 320

[email protected]

Juvenile diversion/ Kendra Leonhardt

Family Skill Building Services LLC Manager

903 East C Street North Platte, NE 69103

308-696-0033

[email protected]

Health and human services/ Brenda Brooks

DHHS Service Delivery Administrator

200 South Silber North Platte, NE 69101

308-535-8042

[email protected]

Post-adjudication/ services or detention Brandy Buscher

School Liaison 1220 West 2nd St. North Platte, NE 69101

308-535-7105

[email protected]

Community-based organizations/ Ellie McClymont

Creative Art Council and Community Connections

417 Sandpiper Way North Platte, NE 69101

308-532-8547

[email protected]

Other (County Commissioners)/ Tammy White

Lincoln County Commissioners Office

301 North Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101

308-534-4350 ext 182

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

Prevention/mentoring/ Jayna Schaaf

Community Connections Ex. Dir.

PO Box 852 North Platte, NE 69103

308-696-3355

[email protected]

Law enforcement/ Roland Kramer

Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy

302 North Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101

308-539-9506

[email protected]

Other (County)/ Rebecca Rossell

County Clerk 301 North Jeffers North Platte, NE 69101

308-534-4350

[email protected]

Public defender/ defense attorneys/guardian ad litem/ Amanda Speichert

Attorney 1020 South Dewey Street North Platte, NE 69101

308-534-6740

[email protected]

Juvenile probation/ Lonnie Folchert Tarin Chapin

Probation Chief and JTRS Office

110 East 3rd Street North Platte, NE 69101

308-534-4350

[email protected]

Education/ Dr. Tami Eshleman

North Platte Public Schools Associate Superintendent

301 West F Street North Platte, NE 69101

308-535-7100

[email protected]

Treatment providers/ Sarah White

Youth Care Coordination

110 North Bailey, North Platte, NE 69101

308-532-4860 ext 304

[email protected]

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%

http://www.nebraskalanddays.com/inner.php?id=383

http://www.nebraskalanddays.com/default.php

http://www.nebraskalanddays.com/default.php

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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:


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:


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





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


Asset Teams

Youth Leaders


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



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












http://www.healthofchildren.com/S/Smoking.html

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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)


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PRIORITY #3

DIVERSION Reduce the number of youth entering the juvenile justice system



Continue to support successful JAC efforts including:

Drug testing

Family support

Monitoring school attendance

Psychological assessments

Provision/identification of pro-social activities



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:


North Platte Police and Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office arrest/juvenile contact record



Substance abuse and mental health issues




Peer influences

Low income


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





2015 Number

Youth Referred 80

Youth Enrolled 63





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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


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




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


Youth Leaders

Assets Teams


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




2016-2018 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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o lack of electronic (smartphones, computers, television, etc…) restrictions/monitoring

being imposed by parents

Peer influences

Low school connectivity


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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


Program staff, Community Planning Team including County Attorney, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, diversion program coordinator, and a school liaison


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




2016-2018 out of home placement data


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


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


Nebraska Family Helpline Calls from Lincoln County (2015 – 2017)


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



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

37

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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39

40

41

42

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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













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


Other (moved away/death/etc.) 0

Total # Unduplicated Youth NOT Completing Program 13

1/1/2016 – 12/31/2016








2

1/1/2017 – 12/31/2017








0


Total # Reasons 12










Other (moved away/death/etc.) 0

Total # Reasons 16










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.

Documents

LINCOLN COUNTY - Nebraska County.pdfKendra Leonhardt Family Skill Building Services LLC Manager 903 East C Street North Platte, NE 69103 308-696-0033 [email protected] Health