Chief Justice Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Nebraska’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative

Chief Justice Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Nebraska’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative

Chief Justice Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Nebraska’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative

Nebraska Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican will hold a proclamation signing ceremony commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Nebraska’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) on Monday, June 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in the Court of Appeals Courtroom. The ceremony is streamed live from the State Capitol courtroom in order to allow all four initiative sites and the public to view the signing.

As the statewide JDAI collaborative co-chairs, State Court Administrator Corey Steel, and State Senator Tony Vargas, will highlight the role that JDAI has played in ongoing juvenile justice system reform and will speak to the need for statewide expansion and implementation of the eight core JDAI strategies.

JDAI is a process, not a conventional program, which means JDAI guides efforts in restructuring policy and practice to create system improvements that reach far beyond detention alone.  The goals of JDAI are to:

  • Decrease the number of youth unnecessarily or inappropriately detained;
  • Reduce the number of youth who fail to appear in court or re-offend pending adjudication;
  • Redirect public funds towards effective juvenile justice processes and public safety strategies;
  • Reduce the disproportionate minority confinement and contact of the juvenile justice system; and
  • Improve the juvenile justice system overall

Douglas County was identified as the first Nebraska JDAI site in 2011, and JDAI has since expanded to Sarpy, Otoe and Lancaster Counties.  Hall County is exploring participating as Nebraska’s fifth JDAI site.  To recognize their accomplishments, the local sites are also planning 10-Year Celebrations.  For more information on these events contact, please contact Michele Lueders at michele.lueders@nebraska.gov.

Nebraska Public Media will livestream the proclamation signing as part of its regular Appellate Court coverage. Watch Live: Nebraska Public Media (link will appear as Proclamation Signing Ceremony for Nebraska’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) 10th Anniversary).