Impacting Outcomes for Dual-System Youth

SESSION INFO

Monday, February 6, 2023
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Session Type: Workshop

In the last 10 years, multiple national juvenile court reform experts have identified best practices to serve youth navigating both the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. In this session, presenters will highlight Nebraska’s steps to create groundbreaking collaborative policy between the judicial and executive branches of government in order to impact day-to-day work with Dual-System Youth. Their ultimate goal: Reduce the need for youth to be dual-system involved, reduce the use of out-of-home placement, and reduce racial ethnic disparity. During this interactive session, participants will be able to apply lessons learned from Nebraska’s journey to their own efforts to improve outcomes for dual-system youth.

SESSION PRESENTERS

Amy Latshaw
Juvenile Services Specialist, NE Supreme Court Office of Probation Administration


hroughout her 32-year career, Amy Latshaw has had the opportunity to work within many facets of the Nebraska Juvenile Justice System. Her experience includes The Lancaster County Youth Services Center, Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Geneva, Juvenile Parole/Health and Human Services-Office of Juvenile Services, and as a Probation Officer serving the Separate Juvenile Court in Lancaster County, District 3J. Since 2009, Amy has worked as a Justice Programs Specialist with the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation’s Juvenile Division. Her position supports probation officers in the field to provide early access to rehabilitative services, conduct evidence-based assessment/screening, and complete quality investigative reports during the initial stages of the juvenile court system. In her role, Amy also oversees statewide collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services to assist dually-involved system youth. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska Lincoln/Omaha and is a certified Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory Trainer.


KaCee Zimmerman
, NE Department of Health and Human Services


KaCee Zimmerman has been in the field of social work for over 25 years. For the last 17 years she has worked for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services as a supervisor and administrator for Adult Protective Services, Children and Family Services and Office of Juvenile Services. Currently she oversees all Children and Family Services out of the Grand Island and Hastings offices. A part of her administrative duties includes being part of the Crossover Implementation Team for the State of Nebraska. KaCee holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado – Boulder.