It has been one year since the launch of the Juvenile Justice Home-Based Initiative – a program designed to reduce the number of youth in out-of-home care.  Throughout the first year both Multisystemic Therapy (MST) and the Boys Town Ecological In-Home Family Treatment (EIHFT) services have had great successes with justice involved youth and families, and the capacity to provide these services has grown substantially.  Service utilization has nearly tripled and the number of counties in which the services are available has expanded from twelve to fifty-eight across Nebraska.

To celebrate the great work accomplished by all involved in the initiative and to gear up for the anticipated growing success into the upcoming year, the Administrative Office of Probation-Juvenile Services Division hosted an event on March 5th, 2018 to include all of the agencies providing the Juvenile Justice Home-Based Initiative services, leadership from the Probation Districts, a representative from our grantors, as well as the Clinical Director from MST Services.

The event was kicked off by the initiative visionaries Corey Steel, State Court Administrator, and Jeanne Brandner, Deputy Probation Administrator-Juvenile Services Division sharing the history of the project thus far and their gratitude for the stakeholders involved.  John Levy from the Scott Family Foundation presented and shared support for funding the initiative and plans for future supportive efforts.  This was followed by national MST expert, Lisa Reiter, who presentation focused on the benefits of MST and financial sustainability for providers.  Additionally, Dave Reed, Boys Town Executive Director, Lisa Pierce, Senior Director, and Megan Andrews, Senior Director presented on the EIHFT services. The excitement of the impactful change that providers and probation district leaders are witnessing through these services was apparent by the success story sharing throughout the day.   

The goal of the initiative is to provide effective, evidence-based services to youth and families within their homes, schools, and communities and to enhance the coverage area to include those areas that lack services.  Funding for the initiative has been provided by the Sherwood and Scott Family Foundations supporting the expansion of Multisystemic Therapy (MST) services in several areas across the state, as well as, Boys Town’s Ecological In-Home Family Treatment (EIHFT) services, with future plans for replication of EIHFT in western Nebraska. 

The Administrative Office of Probation, Juvenile Services Division would like to thank all of those involved in making the day a success and we look forward to continuing the great work being done for youth and families as we begin year two of the initiative. 

Kelli Schadwinkel
Project Specialist, Juvenile Justice Home-Based Initiative
Nebraska Probation Administration, Juvenile Services Division
521 South 14th
Lincoln, NE  68508
(402) 471.1741
kelli.schadwinkel@nebraska.gov