Students in the Grace Abbott School of Social Work at UNO have developed a guide for inmates leaving the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility, which they presented to the NCYF staff last week.
NCYF Warden, Ryan Mahr, says the youth they serve typically need a lot of community support upon release. He says although there are similar guides available, this one is geared specifically toward NCYF’s younger population.
“Some of the things that will be in the guide will be financial assistance, community health centers, halfway houses, some assistance with clothing, transportation, food pantries, substance abuse, mental health treatment --and the students made sure that the information is up to date. But again, they tailored it towards the youth – it helps them know whom to contact and what to say when they contact that person.”
Mahr says they have worked with UNO Social Work students for about four years. In the past, the UNO students prepared individual discharge plans for each inmate, but this year the NCYF staff requested this resource guide. Mahr says staff will give one to each inmate and go over it with them 30 to 60 days before their release.
For more information, the website is socialwork.unomaha.edu