Juvenile Probation Services Division
Juvenile Probation Services Division
The Juvenile Probation Services Division is responsible for statewide administration of juvenile intake, investigations, supervision, and services for youth and families impacting community safety, habilitation, and behavior change. Families are empowered to be a part of the decision making process, which greatly aids the success of youth. An individualized, adolescent development approach is a priority for youth in the justice system, which is supported by research and shown to impact reduction in criminogenic risk. Youth receive a validated risk/needs assessment which assists in the creation of a success/case plan to target supervision and treatment, which will build skill and reduce recidivism.
The Juvenile Probation Services Division is administered by Jeanne K. Brandner, Deputy Administrator, and Kari Rumbaugh, Assistant Deputy Administrator. Additionally, two directors oversee areas of focus, each assigned specialists and an officer. Sara Quiroz, Juvenile Director, supervises intake, detention alternatives, investigations, and assessments. Amoreena Brady, Juvenile Director, oversees case management, home-based services, placement, and reentry. (contact information below)
The goal of the Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative in Nebraska is to prevent juveniles from returning to the juvenile justice system or entering the criminal justice system by:
- Engaging juveniles and their families in the juvenile court process;
- Eliminating barriers to accessing effective treatment and services; and
- Partnering with educational and community stakeholders.
Under this system reform, the Juvenile Services Division strives to provide a balanced approach to justice. While juvenile probation officers still have a primary responsibility to hold youth accountable, enforce orders of the court, and ensure public safety, the punitive aspect is diminished. In coordination with judicial support, Nebraska juvenile probation is devoted to the successful futures of juveniles and their families.
Jeanne Brandner was selected to fill the position of Deputy Probation Administrator of the Juvenile Services Division in the Office of Probation Administration July 1, 2014. As Nebraska Probation’s Juvenile Division Assistant Deputy Administrator, Jeanne Brandner’s leadership skills have been extremely beneficial as the Juvenile Probation system expanded to accommodate working with Nebraska’s juvenile justice youth. Her expertise and experience in the juvenile justice field in Arizona and on a national level have been invaluable to Probation’s implementation of LB 561 and LB 464.
Jeanne is a graduate of Wayne State College and Bellevue University where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Human Services respectively.
Contact:
Jeanne K. Brandner
Deputy Administrator, Juvenile Services Division
Administrative Office of the Courts & Probation
State Capitol Building, Room 1211
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 471-4976
Kari Rumbaugh has served as Assistant Deputy Administrator with the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation, Juvenile Division, since October 1, 2014. In her current role, she has statewide oversight for the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative in Nebraska, ensuring compliance with local and federal standards, as well as prioritizing and tracking progress on identified goals and outcomes.
She began her Probation career as a juvenile probation officer for the Lancaster County Separate Juvenile Court in November, 2000. In 2006, she joined Probation Administration as Deputy Interstate Compact Administrator, serving as the Juvenile Interstate Compact Commissioner from 2012 to 2014. In 2007, Kari was the Program Director for the (RISE) Rural Improvement for Schooling and Employment program in collaboration with AmeriCorps. In June 2012, Kari took on the role of Compliance Officer creating and conducting Probation district evaluations.
Recognition for Kari’s work includes receiving the 2011 Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) Executive Directors Award. Then in April of 2014, Kari became the recipient of the 2014 Nebraska First Lady’s Outstanding Community Service Award in the Professional Commitment of Service. Additionally, Nebraska’s RISE Program has twice been nationally recognized for outstanding innovation (2010, 2014).
Kari earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Science with Minors in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1998. She is a certified “Real Colors” facilitator and has trained nationally for the Nebraska probation system since 2009.
Contact:
Kari Rumbaugh
Assistant Deputy Administrator for Juvenile Services
Administrative Office of the Courts & Probation
521 South 14th
Lincoln, NE 68508
Cell: (402) 540-5076
