Juvenile Probation Services Division

Annual Report FY 2023

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 Kari Rumbaugh, Deputy Administrator. Sara Quiroz is the Assistant Deputy Administrator who supervises the two directors. Each director oversees different areas of focus and the related team members.  Director Amoreena Brady manages special projects, system enhancement, and work-supported best practices. She also supervises the two administrative assistants and the two juvenile services officers. Director Erin Curran leads the Specialists with juvenile investigations, supervision, and statutory obligations. (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 Probation 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 Services is devoted to successful outcomes for juveniles and their families.

Contact Information

Rumbaugh
Juvenile Probation Services Division Phone Number: (402) 471-4816

Kari Rumbaugh

Kari Rumbaugh is Deputy Administrator for the Juvenile Probation Services Division within the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation. She leads statewide juvenile probation efforts through established goals and outcomes focused on best-practice approaches.  Kari has over two decades of probation experience, beginning her 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, she developed the Rural Improvement for Schooling and Employment (RISE) Program in collaboration with AmeriCorps, which received national recognition twice for outstanding innovation (2010 and 2014). Additionally, Kari took on the role of Compliance Officer, creating and conducting probation district evaluations in June 2012.  In 2014, she became the Assistant Deputy Administrator for the Juvenile Probation Services Division.   

Recognition for Kari’s work includes receiving the Advanced Coaching for Excellence (AC4E) Recognition for Leadership in Development award in 2018.  Then in April 2014, Kari was the recipient of the First Lady’s Outstanding Community Service Award in the Professional Commitment of Service.  Other awards include the Outstanding Team award in 2012 and 2023, plus earning the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) Executive Directors Award in 2011.  Kari earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Science with a Minor in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in addition to multiple certificates.  Kari has taken on leadership and training roles in her career and currently holds positions on local and national juvenile justice-focused boards and committees.

Contact:
Kari Rumbaugh
Deputy Administrator
Administrative Office of the Courts & Probation
Nebraska State Capitol, Room 1211
1445 K Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Mobile: (402) 540-5076

Sara Quiroz

Sara Quiroz

Sara Quiroz is the Assistant Deputy Administrator for the Juvenile Probation Services Division.  She administers statewide juvenile justice enhancement efforts in compliance with statutes and federal requirements focusing on goals, outcomes, priorities, and progress for juveniles on probation.  Sara came to the Administrative Office of the Courts & Probation in December of 2018 overseeing statutory reporting and review processes, in addition to acting as the liaison for the Department of Education and the Foster Care Review Office.  Sara has been engaged in youth work throughout the state, including the state Crossover Leadership Team, Juvenile Intake and Alternatives Initiative, and has served on the Bridges to Independence and Office of Dispute Resolution advisory committees. She is a member of the Advanced Coaching for Excellence (AC4E) leadership team, assisting in the development of AC4E core and leadership parallel practice trainings for both probation officers and probation leadership, as well as serving as a juvenile representative for Emerging Adult work.

Sara graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University.   Recognition for Sara’s work includes receiving the “Rising Star in Leadership” award in 2021 and the “Advanced Coaching for Excellence (AC4E) Recognition for Leadership in Implementation” award in 2023.

Contact:
Sara Quiroz, M.Ed.L.
Assistant Deputy Administrator
Administrative Office of the Courts & Probation
Chief Standing Bear Justice Administration Building
521 S 14th Street, Suite 500
Lincoln, NE 68508
Mobile: (402) 419-3469