A memorandum to participate in the fiscal 2026-2027 four-county juvenile grant application was accepted by the Nemaha County Commissioners Tuesday morning, Dec. 30.
An additional signature will be required after the grant is obtained.
Funds allocated from July 2026 through June 2027 will be $66,222.50. It is an increase from $62,000 in fiscal 2025-2026. The budget includes three elements. The first, payroll and retirement, calls for a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment in alignment with Nemaha County. The second, operating expenses, is comprised of mileage; online courses, cell phones and attendance at the Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association conference; and payroll and Federal Insurance Contributions Act. The third is contract fee for probation services, including electronic monitoring, youth community coach and family support workers.
Linda Volker, coordinator, noted Pawnee County has signed the agreement. She continued commissioners in Johnson County were to be contacted later Dec. 30 and Richardson County commissioners Wednesday, Dec. 31. The grant is due Wednesday, Jan. 7. Volker stated it is later than usual because of the delay in submission by state representatives. Volker is in her fifth year as coordinator. Jill Hahn is diversion director. The coordinator said Hahn is doing good work at the region’s schools.
In 2024-2025, the primary motives for diversion referral in the four counties are alcohol/drugs; traffic/driving; assault; and shoplifting/theft/larceny. Volker stated diversion participation numbers follow demographics almost perfectly. She related no truancy cases have been filed in court for more than a year.
Screening, Assessment Tool; New Service
The coordinator related she and Hahn use the Nebraska Screening and Assessment Tool in the diversion and truancy process. Volker said referrals are discussed with the county attorneys. She said the staff has a good working relationship with all of the region’s county attorneys.
The case plan includes accountability and personal growth. There is in-person and virtual monitoring and dialogue. The end goals are demonstrated accountability for actions, improvements in social thinking, productive engagement in school and community and improved perspective regarding purpose and responsibilities.
The coordinator noted a new service is available through Region V Systems. She said it allows struggling families to be referred to get assistance on how to get their children to attend school, participate in the community and improve job skills. Region V Systems works with individuals having behavioral and substance issues.
Volker praised Nemaha County on having good community service opportunities.
“We thank the City of Auburn for that. They’re good to work with. They handle the kids well. Small schools have limited resources to help with intervention,” she explained.
Five-Year Community Plan
Volker reported the strategy covering 2025 through 2029 was completed in December 2024. She continued no response has been received from the Nebraska Crime Commission.
Nebraska Diversion Goals
Providing an alternative to adjudication through juvenile court. Reducing the likelihood of reoffending. Reducing the costs and caseload burdens of the juvenile justice and criminal justice systems. Promoting the collection of restitution to the victim as appropriate.
Diversion Benefits
Allows youth who commit offenses to be redirected away from formal processing in the juvenile justice system. They are still held accountable for their actions. Referrals can be pre-filing or pre-trial.
The intent is to increase public safety and provide youth the opportunity to rehabilitate and make changes. Research supports its use. Provides the opportunity to keep a clean record. The alternative may result in challenges accessing employment, education and housing during youth and into adulthood. Improves public safety. Is more effective in reducing repeating undesirable behaviors than traditional court. Avoids juvenile justice system contact, which can otherwise increase the likelihood for other negative outcomes. Those include academic failure and reoffending. Reduces the risk of future justice system involvement. Developmentally appropriate.
Diversion Challenges in Small Communities
Limited resources available. Mixed perceptions of community members, negatively impacting options available to tap into. Whole-family and/or generational areas of difficulty, including finances, education, interpersonal dynamics and mental health.
Truancy Challenges in Small Schools
Limited staff available to devote extra time and efforts to students who struggle the most. Competing demands, limits in instruction and scheduling options. Limited counseling and behavioral health support. Parenting challenges and needs. Variability in student school engagement and motivation. Variability in the perception students have about the importance of an education.
Other
The four counties have received grant funding 14 years. Funds are distributed based on the total number of residents per county. No financial obligation is incurred by the individual counties.
