Statewide Juvenile Training for County Attorneys

The FY 2018 Addressing the Training Needs of Juvenile Prosecutors program will fund state agencies responsible for administering, managing, or overseeing the training, education, and professional development needs of juvenile prosecutors and their support staff. This funding will allow states to develop or expand training and/or professional development tailored to the unique needs and challenges related to the highly specialized practice of juvenile prosecution. This program is authorized pursuant to Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2018, Pub. L. No. 115–141, 132 Stat. 348, 423, 426.

The Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice will work with the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office to provide statewide training to juvenile prosecutors. The goal of the training is to increase the understanding and knowledge base of all Nebraska prosecutors practicing in juvenile court on best practices in: (1) Pre-trial diversion; (2) Community supervision and resources; (3) Adolescent brain development; and (4) Addressing racial and ethnic disparities. Specifically, attorneys will be trained using the new curriculum developed through the National Juvenile Justice Prosecution Center. Specific training topics will cover: assessing risk and needs of juvenile offenders; risk principle of reoffending; best practices in juvenile diversion; restorative justice practices; detention alternatives; community resources; family engagement; dual status youth; adolescent brain development; mental health needs of juveniles; impact of trauma in a youth’s life; reducing racial and ethnic disparity; and implicit bias. CA/NCF