As a part of the Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Nebraska (JJSEN) grant initiative, the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation have a partnership through the fall of 2023 with faculty members, Dr. Robin Jenkins, Senior Implementation Specialist and Dr. Renée Boothroyd, Advanced Implementation Specialist, from The Impact Center at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to bring Implementation Science to probation leadership.  As a part of a project support by the Robert F. Kennedy National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice, Lancaster County Separate Juvenile Court Judges, District 3J leadership, and Probation Administrative staff were introduced to Implementation Science in March 2019.  As a branch that practices implementation regularly, there was value found to introduce it statewide.

Implementation Science is defined as, “The systematic study of variables and conditions that lead to full and effective use of evidence-based programs and other effective innovations in typical human service settings (Blasé & Fixsen, 2010).”  When its concepts and knowledge are applied when implementing a new program, policy or practice, the likelihood of successful outcomes and fidelity are increased. 

Jenkins and Boothroyd are providing implementation support to translate Implementation Science concepts into practical application with the courts and probation, most recently at Probation’s Spring Management meeting this March.  They continued to introduce foundational knowledge of Implementation Science to assist leaders in applying their knowledge to real world practice. 

For more information on Implementation Science, please contact Amoreena Brady, Juvenile Justice Reform Specialist, Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation at amoreena.brady@nebraska.gov.