Transition Coordination & Services

Nebraska combines state funding with some Title I funds to employ transition coordinators in detention centers, juvenile justice facilities and juvenile education programs in the adult system. Coordinators work with the student, their families, and vocational services to develop re-entry plans that will best assist the student’s transfer.

There are three different types of transition coordinators. One coordinator is within the Department of Education who coordinates all systems for collaboration involving all youth placed out of their home schools. The second is a Reentry Supervisor through the Probation Administration that works directly with youth in special purpose schools; schools located in youth correctional facilities. The Reentry Supervisors work with the youth while at the youth correctional facility and with a Probation Officer when the youth returns to the community after their release.

Recent legislation signed into law, LB464 and LB561, require re-entry planning. The process involves a 60 day notice from DHHS to the court to schedule a reentry hearing. The hearing takes place anytime from then to 60 days out. The reentry plan (IRP) is submitted during the reentry hearing where changes are requested, or approved by the Judge. Each school district is contacted for student reentry. A third type of coordinator is a Department of Corrections transition coordinator. The Transitions component for NDCS is to aid with all transitions: assist students returning to school, help with college or career readiness, and address issues of transitioning to another adult correctional facility and the continuing resources available to them when they get there. This individual implements work for re-integration to public schools. The facility’s Adult Education resources are used also to assist in developing individualized portfolios with inmate students as part of the Career Pathways collaboration, and Transition Coordinator helps develop facets of this during this year.