juvenile justice institute.

MIA-STEP Preparation and Training Course Beginning May 14 & 15, the Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center will begin conducting a MIA-STEP Preparation and Training Course for substance abuse treatment providers in Regions I & II. The training is being held in Sidney, Nebraska. More information is available through the Mid-America ATTC. Survey on Training Needs and Barriers During July and August 2008, SATI will be conducting a survey regarding the need for and barriers to different types of trainings for substance abuse treatment providers. If you would like to be included in this survey, please email your Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Address to unosati@unomaha.edu. Look for the surveys to be distributed later this summer.

Welcome to the Juvenile Justice Institute (JJI) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Established in 2002 to serve as the research arm for Nebraska’s juvenile justice system, JJI has become a hub for research and technical assistance. The Institute promotes evidence-based practices in criminal justice and substance abuse treatment throughout the state by providing technical assistance and completing policy and program evaluations for the Legislature, administrative agencies and private organizations.

Through its work, JJI has become a nexus for academia, government and the community. It is building the infrastructure and tools required to tackle a range of problems facing juvenile and adult justice systems by emphasizing program-oriented research projects. JJI’s goal is to partner with policymakers and practitioners to advance the most effective criminal justice and substance abuse treatment policies and programs possible. In addition to maintaining positive working relationships with a number of state agencies, the staff of JJI currently serve on task forces involving with juvenile substance abuse, drug courts, mental health, and juvenile justice policy related to detention, evaluations, and processing.

JJI also promotes the development of future criminal justice professionals by providing university students unique educational opportunities. Graduate students working for JJI receive an educational experience in which academia is made relevant to the demands of work and community. Students are involved in basic and applied research activities that foster academic excellence and provide a practical context in which to apply what students are learning in the classroom. Students are exposed to a variety of research experiences preparing them to work in academia or public arenas.

Recent projects completed by JJI include:

• Coordination of Nebraska ’s Methamphetamine Treatment Study and establishment of the Substance Abuse Training Initiative.
• Completion of the Metropolitan Community Justice Recidivism Reduction Center Study for the Nebraska Community Corrections Council.
• Continued work with state and local agencies providing design, implementation and evaluation support.
• Collaboration with Professors Ruohui Zhao and Hongwei Zhang of Guangxi University in Nanning, China to establish and exchange of juvenile justice principles and ideas.

The Institute is directed by Dr. T. Hank Robinson and supported through the involvement of faculty from within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Nicki Kennedy serves as JJI’s program coordinator and Colleen Cunningham is its staff secretary. JJI employees Graduate Research Assistants each year.

This website was created for students, criminal justice professionals, and anyone interested in the area of criminology. Here you will find information JJI and its current projects and research. For more information about JJI please contact us directly. This website also provides links to valuable state and national resources in the fields of criminal justice and substance abuse training. Check back frequently to learn about upcoming training opportunities.

Updated 5/15/2008 by Melanie Kiper