Juvenile Probation Services Division
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. Additionally, two directors oversee areas of focus, each assigned specialists and an officer. Sara Quiroz, Juvenile Director, supervises investigations, supervision, reentry, and statutory obligations. Amoreena Brady, Juvenile Director, leads special projects, system enhancement, and work-supported best practices.
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 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 is devoted to the successful futures of juveniles and their families.
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
