Nebraska Probation is different from most other states, in that it doesn’t rely on contact standards.  In Nebraska, it isn’t the number of times you had contact with an individual that matters, but the quality of that contact.  Nebraska Probation Officers meet regularly with clients both in the office and within the community, and their level of engagement with that individual is directly related to their assessed risk level.  Research has indicated that in order to be most successful with probationers the level or amount of supervision should be directly related to an individual’s risk.  Consistent with research Probation has elected to prioritize officer time and resources toward individuals at high risk of reoffending to accomplish the most effective response to community safety.

Community-Based Intervention (CBI)
Community-Based Intervention is an intensive supervision model designed for individuals at high risk to reoffend.  Clients are placed on probation, post-release supervision, or problem-solving court.  CBI supervision includes frequent meetings, mandatory home visits, offense-specific treatment, and inclusion in cognitive behavioral programming.  CBI Officers are highly skilled and highly trained and carry smaller cases.  Generally speaking, a CBI level probationer has multiple needs for intervention, such as substance use, unemployment, have little to no positive support systems, criminal thinking, and may be suffering from mental illness.

Types of Community Based Intervention Specialized Programs:

Alternatives to Incarceration (AI)
Adult Alternatives to Incarceration (AI) Probation is an intensive supervision approach intended for individuals who are considered to be at the highest risk to reoffend, are participating in problem solving courts, are on probation or post-release supervision and are the highest priority of adult supervision resources for the Nebraska Probation System. This supervision level is most successful when a highly intensive level of supervision is utilized in conjunction with the appropriate cognitive behavioral interventions, treatment services, and monitoring.  Because AI probationers are targeted to be at the highest level of supervision and are the highest priority of adult supervision, probation officers will use varied hours of operation including field work, close collaboration with community partners, treatment, cognitive programming and all available interventions. 

• Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision (SSAS) -
  The first of probation’s evidenced based programs, dating to 2006, the SSAS program is designated for the highest risk felony drug offenders, serial drunk drivers (Third offenders or above), post-release supervision probationers and other felony probationer assessed at high risk in alcohol/drug problems and high levels of antisocial thinking or patterns.  As part of their case management, SSAS participants receive substance use services to include evaluation and treatment, available Reporting Center Services, random and frequent chemical testing, and cognitive groups.  All participants meeting financial criteria are eligible for financial assistance to obtain substance use, mental health or other qualifying services.
   
• Problem Solving Courts, adult and juvenile - Click for brochure (updated quick look doc attached)
  Problem-solving courts began in the 1990s to accommodate adults and juveniles with specific needs and problems that were not or could not be adequately addressed in traditional courts. They promote reform in how the government responds to problems such as substance use and mental health disorders.  Judges take a more hands-on approach to addressing problems and changing behaviors of adults and youth. Ultimately, Problem-solving courts are designed to provide positive outcomes for victims, society and the adult/juvenile involved, resulting in reduced recidivism and safer communities.
   
• Transitional Intervention Program (TIP)
  LB605 and other Justice Reinvestment efforts for the highest risk/needs clients called for the creation of the TIP supervision classification.  As part of their case management, TIP participants are monitored with electronic monitoring (EM) with global positioning satellite (GPS), weekly home visits, and receive cognitive behavioral intervention services, relevant Reporting Center Services, and random and frequent chemical testing.  Probation officers managing TIP clients work varied, field-based hours and are heavily engaged with treatment providers, employers and other community support networks.  All participants meeting financial criteria are eligible for financial assistance to obtain substance use, mental health or other qualifying services.
   
• Reframe
  LB605 and other Justice Reinvestment efforts called for the creation of the Reframe supervision classification.  As part of their case management, Reframe participants receive precipitating behavior treatment services (mental health, domestic violence, and/or sex offender treatment) to include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), relevant Reporting Center Services, and random and frequent chemical testing. Probation officers managing Reframe clients work varied, field-based hours and are heavily engaged with treatment providers, employers and other community support networks.  All participants meeting financial criteria are eligible for financial assistance to obtain substance use, mental health or other qualifying services.

Sex Offenders and Youth Who Sexually Harm:
When an adult or juvenile is placed on probation for a sex offense, including violators of the sex offender registry, they will be supervised at the Community-Based Intervention (CBI) or Juvenile Community-Based Intervention (JCBI) level.  Although not all inclusive, anyone placed on probation for a sex offense will be referred for a sex offender evaluation and treatment and will participate in a cognitive program. Adult supervision will also include monitoring of, but not responsibility for, compliance with the registry, as well as monitoring of computer or cell phone related activities.  Juveniles in Nebraska are not required to register.

Domestic Violence (DV)
Any one placed on probation for a DV related offense will automatically be supervised at the Community-Based Intervention (CBI level throughout their probation and will be referred for participation in a Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP). This program hopes to interrupt the power and control cycle displayed by DV perpetrators and works in accordance with the Nebraska Statewide Provider’s Registry. It also complies with the Duluth Model for dealing with DV offender.

Victim Services 
Probation takes very seriously those crimes where a person was victimized.  As a result, it has chosen to provide a specialized approach to the investigation and supervision for domestic violence and sex offenders.  Investigations in cases involving a victim will include the opportunity for the victim to complete a Victim Impact Statement.  A Victim Impact Statement is provided to the victim(s) named in the case that is being investigated.  The Victim Impact Statement allows the victim to share how this incident impacted them physically, emotionally and financially.  This information is utilized by Probation as part of the Presentence Investigation/Presentence Report to provide the judge with a complete picture of the incident and the impact upon the victim(s).  In addition, Probation aims to make phone or in-person contact with the victim(s) in order to collect any additional information.  Victim input is an important part of the Presentence Investigation.  This is the opportunity for a victim to be heard and to voice thoughts as to an appropriate sentence, as well as to request restitution.       

Types of Community Based Specialized Services

Reporting Centers (updated quick look doc attached) 

Reporting Centers across Nebraska were created to establish a central location for a continuum of services accessed by probationers under supervision in their communities as a means of providing community safety, accountability and rehabilitation.  By pooling state and county resources, these reporting centers provide structured programming that targets an individual’s need in areas such as: substance abuse, behavioral health, educational and employment opportunities, cognitive-behavioral restructuring, and a variety of classes and groups designed to reduce their risk to reoffend and enhance their ability to be successful, tax paying citizens.  These programs and services are evidence-based and tailored to meet the needs of individuals and are provided by local community stakeholders. Reporting centers engage high-risk clients and low level felons in structured supervision activities targeted to reduce the likelihood of the individual to reoffend.  Nebraska reporting centers are intended to increase community safety while reducing the high cost of incarceration and prison overcrowding in Nebraska.

Programs occurring at the Reporting and Service Centers include but are not limited to the following:  Cognitive Programs Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT), Thinking for a Change (T4C), and Texas Christian University (TCU, various); Women’s Trauma Group, Anger Management, individual psych services (UNL), chemical testing, pretreatment, relapse prevention, parenting, Crimes impact on the Community (Community Justice Center), Problem Solving, Employment Skills, GED, Vocational Rehab, time management, money management, community resources, attitude, stress management, etc.

Service Centers

Service Centers were established in 2011 for the benefit of the Judicial Districts that do not currently have a Reporting Center.  Beginning in 2016 all judicial districts expect for District 8 will have a Reporting Center. The Service Centers are created and maintained when services are needed within the district to assist clients in fulfilling court-ordered obligations, addressing high-risk needs and through the sanctioning process of clients on probation.  Service Centers serve the same population as Reporting Centers, but offer minimal rehabilitative services within limited probation offices in an effort to mirror a Reporting Center. Service Centers are located in O’Neil and York.

Transitional Housing - click for brochure

Current Transitional Living Providers

The Transitional Housing initiative is focused on community safety and designed to provide stable housing for clients in need. The initiative is intended to place probationers, post-release and problem-solving court participants in a supportive environment which will enable them to concentrate on stabilizing in the community, treatment and/or employment, and ultimately becoming self-sufficient.  Simultaneously, Probation has a greater ability to know the whereabouts of certain individuals under court ordered supervision.

Find Adult and Juvenile Service Definitions.

Teleservices

Each of the Reporting Centers and multiple sites in every probation District are equipped by the Administrative Office with video-conferencing equipment through which training, classes, meetings, and other activities can be accomplished in a HIPPA-compliant fashion.  For example, an individual needing an anger management class but living in Oshkosh may not have an anger management class available in close proximity. However, through teleservices this individual could go to their local Probation Office and participate in the Anger Management Class being provided at the Reporting Center in, say, Bellevue.