Youth Justice Transformation in Action: Detailed Summary

Episode: Critical Keys to Successful Probation and Youth Justice System Reform
Guest: Bev Hoagland, Chief Probation Officer, District 3J Probation Office, Lancaster County, Nebraska
Release Date: January 30, 2023

Introduction

In this episode of the RFK National Resource Center's podcast, Youth Justice Transformation in Action, host John Toole interviews Bev Hoagland, the Chief Probation Officer of District 3J Probation Office in Lancaster County, Nebraska. The discussion centers on successful reforms within the youth justice system, focusing on innovative practices, leadership strategies, and measurable outcomes achieved through collaborative efforts and implementation science.

Bev Hoagland’s Professional Journey

Background and Leadership

Bev Hoagland brings decades of experience to her role, having joined the district in 1992 as a probation officer. Her extensive career includes supervising youth across various risk levels and overseeing quality assurance and training as Chief Deputy for over 20 years. Since February 2022, Bev has served as the Chief Probation Officer, continuing the legacy of her predecessor, Lori Griggs.

Bev Hoagland [02:12]: "I started my career in juvenile probation as a probation officer doing all of the work that probation officers did back then... I have now been in my position as chief since February of 2022."

System Review and Recommendations

Initiation of Reform Efforts

In 2017, Lancaster County partnered with the RFK National Resource Center to conduct a probation system review under the Denison Mondoro Probation and Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Project. The comprehensive review concluded in April 2018, leading to a series of prioritized recommendations aimed at transforming the youth justice system.

John Toole [03:50]: "Remind me that what year it was that we began that relationship to conduct the review."

Bev Hoagland [03:56]: "It would have been in 2017. The actual review was completed in April of 2018."

Adolescent Brain Development Curriculum

Development and Implementation

A cornerstone of Lancaster County’s reform was the creation of a tailored adolescent brain development curriculum. Recognizing a gap in existing training materials, the local workgroup developed a six-module program, each lasting approximately four hours. The curriculum covers five developmental areas—social, emotional, physical, moral, and cognitive—and integrates trauma and resiliency components.

Bev Hoagland [04:33]: "This curriculum is set up with six modules... we could really assess if people were capturing and learning the information."

Interactive and Applied Learning

The curriculum emphasizes diverse learning styles through interactive elements, videos, pre- and post-tests, and real-life scenarios pertinent to Lancaster County. This approach ensures not only the acquisition of knowledge but also its practical application in probation practices.

Bev Hoagland [04:33]: "There’s a component in relation to application... scenarios that they were working off of were scenarios that we had encountered within our district."

Availability for Broader Use

Lancaster County has made the curriculum accessible to other jurisdictions and stakeholders, including attorneys and students at the University of Nebraska Lincoln Law College. Bev highlighted ongoing presentations at state conferences and upcoming trainings, facilitating widespread adoption of their tailored approach.

Bev Hoagland [07:57]: "We are more than happy to talk with anyone that's interested in learning more about this, sharing our journey and any of the resources that we have used."

Role of the Program Coordinator

Critical Support for Transformation

A dedicated program coordinator played a pivotal role in Lancaster County’s reform efforts. This position was instrumental in organizing meetings, developing agendas, coordinating stakeholders, and providing ongoing support to ensure the continuity and momentum of the transformation process.

Bev Hoagland [10:24]: "She was incredibly helpful in all aspects... she kept us on track... she was there to provide whatever we needed in the moment to help carry the work forward."

Empowerment and Sustainability

The program coordinator empowered staff by facilitating the application of implementation science principles, ensuring that reforms were not only initiated but also sustained over time. This role exemplified effective change management by balancing guidance with fostering independence among staff.

John Toole [10:24]: "This position... serves as an important example in our system reform work for other jurisdictions to mimic or include in their efforts."

Early Probation Case Closure Process

Innovative Approaches to Case Management

Lancaster County introduced a revised procedure for the early and successful closure of probation cases. By expanding the use of the Youth Level of Service (YLS) assessment, probation officers began evaluating youth not just on risk levels but also on progress in key life areas, allowing for early advocacy for release when appropriate.

Bev Hoagland [13:35]: "We started to talk more about incremental or smaller successes rather than overall perfection."

Achieving Success Through Collaboration

The redesigned closure process involved close collaboration with judges and attorneys, shifting the focus from merely meeting probation conditions to highlighting tangible progress and effective service interventions.

Bev Hoagland [13:35]: "We started to talk more about incremental or smaller successes... articulating and supporting their reason for either a successful release or an early release."

Impact on Recidivism and Probation Outcomes

Significant Reduction in Recidivism

The implementation of early case closures and a focus on positive behavior interventions led to a notable decrease in recidivism rates. Lancaster County reported a reduction from a baseline of 26-28% down to 17%, with certain quarters reaching as low as 13%.

Bev Hoagland [18:12]: "Our baseline was anywhere from 26 to 28% and our most recent recidivism is 17%. At one point this past year, quarter we were at 13%."

Increased Successful Closures

There has been a substantial increase in both early and successful probation closures, consistently surpassing the set goals of 20% early releases and 25% satisfactory closures.

Bev Hoagland [16:02]: "Our goal has been 20% of all releases to be early and 25% to be satisfactory closures. And we continue to really exceed those goals."

Balancing Incentives and Sanctions

Adopting a 4:1 Ratio

Lancaster County adopted a policy of balancing incentives with sanctions, striving for a 4:1 ratio. This approach emphasizes rewarding positive behavior while maintaining accountability for negative actions.

Bev Hoagland [19:20]: "Our goal is 4 to 1 in relation to incentives to sanctions. And there was a point in our data tracking that we had exceeded that goal."

Diverse Incentive Strategies

Incentives ranged from tangible items like gift cards and sports equipment to intangible rewards such as positive praise and family engagement. This multifaceted approach caters to various motivational factors for youth.

Bev Hoagland [19:20]: "We have an incentives closet, and it's full of things such as jewelry and basketballs and diaries and doodle pads. And then in addition to that, we have gift cards."

Addressing Misconceptions

Bev addressed concerns regarding the use of incentives, clarifying that incentives complement, rather than replace, sanctions. The balance ensures that youth are rewarded for positive behavior while still being held accountable for misconduct.

Bev Hoagland [21:56]: "We like to coin it accountability with compassion... we’ll address this other behavior that needs attention in a different way."

Implementation Science and Sustainability

Foundational Role of Implementation Science

Embracing implementation science was crucial for the successful reform in Lancaster County. This framework facilitated the effective adoption of new practices, ensuring that changes were evidence-based and sustainably integrated into the system.

Bev Hoagland [25:00]: "Implementation science, being more informed and just being able to grasp the concepts and apply them has been foundational."

Staff Involvement and Continuous Improvement

Active involvement of both leadership and line staff in workgroups fostered a sense of ownership and expertise. Continuous training, staff development, and the celebration of successes further reinforced the sustainability of reforms.

Bev Hoagland [25:00]: "We had a line staff in addition to supervisors that were chairing those five specific work groups... incredible way to get buy in from them."

Collaborative Celebrations

Recognizing and celebrating milestones, such as the launch kickoff video featuring local judges, helped build morale and acknowledge the collective effort involved in the transformation.

Bev Hoagland [25:00]: "We used that video. Then it just became a real celebration... we're moving forward from here."

Future Directions and Vision

Focus on Prevention and Diversion

Looking ahead, Bev emphasizes the importance of prevention and diversionary programs. By addressing youth behavior in community settings such as schools, nonprofits, and cultural centers, the aim is to reduce the need for formal juvenile court involvement.

Bev Hoagland [29:22]: "I've just always been a believer in prevention. I think there is a population of youth who should be served in juvenile court, but I think that should be after a lot of preventative efforts have been tried."

Open for Collaboration

Bev encourages other jurisdictions to adopt and adapt Lancaster County’s successful practices, offering support and sharing resources to facilitate broader transformation across the youth justice system.

Bev Hoagland [30:48]: "I would love to have conversations, email, whatever I can do to help support this work for anyone. I would welcome that."

Conclusion

Bev Hoagland’s leadership in Lancaster County exemplifies effective youth justice reform through evidence-based practices, collaborative stakeholder engagement, and a balanced approach to incentives and sanctions. Her commitment to implementation science and prevention-oriented strategies has resulted in significant reductions in recidivism and improved probation outcomes. Lancaster County stands as a replicable model for jurisdictions aiming to transform their youth justice systems, underscoring the importance of tailored training, dedicated coordination, and sustainable change management.

Notable Quotes:

• Bev Hoagland [04:33]: “So that’s what the curriculum consists of. We were able to then share that curriculum...”

• Bev Hoagland [13:35]: “We started to talk more about incremental or smaller successes rather than overall perfection.”

• Bev Hoagland [19:20]: “Our goal is 4 to 1 in relation to incentives to sanctions.”

• Bev Hoagland [25:00]: “Implementation science, being more informed and just being able to grasp the concepts and apply them has been foundational.”

• Bev Hoagland [29:22]: “I think there is a population of youth who should be served in juvenile court, but I think that should be after a lot of preventative efforts have been tried.”

For More Information:

• Podcast Website: rfknrcjj.org/podcast
• Contact: rfknrcjj.org/contact-us
• Online Resource Library: rfknrcjj.org/resources/
• LinkedIn: RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice
• Twitter: @RFKYouthJustice

This summary highlights the key elements of the podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened, while including direct quotes and timestamps to emphasize significant points discussed by Bev Hoagland.