Our Mission
The overall mission of the Heartland Juvenile Services Association is to enable juvenile service providers, members of the justice system and personnel of juvenile detention centers, correctional facilities, staff secure programs, group homes, emergency shelters and other facilities/institutions throughout the heartland region of the United States to join together in mutual efforts to strengthen and improve residential and community-based services for youth and their families through the implementation of best practices.
Our Board Members
HJSA, established in 1992, comprises of individuals from a variety of juvenile services and organizations accross the heartland. Please find a listing of our current board members below.
Jerid Wedige, President
Judicial Branch Education, Director of Probation Education
Tami Steensma, Secretary
Sarpy County Juvenile Justice Center, Director of Juvenile Services
Jesse Jensen, Treasurer
Northeast Nebraska Juvenile Services, Program Director
Lisa Benner, President Elect
Omni Inventive Care, Director of Training
Michaela Benson-Goldsmith
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNO, Research Associate
Ashley Dancy
Youthbuild Goodwill, Program Manager
Julie Kindler
Pathfinder Support Services, Chief Executive Officer
Paige Kober
Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation, Juvenile Officer- RISE Coordinator
Jeremy Hugins
Abraxas Youth and Family Services, Admissions and Client Relations Supervisor
Madison Niedermeyer
CEDARS Foster Care, Assistant Program Director
Randall Robins
Family Program Associate, RISE
Loretta Wells
Omaha Police Department/Boys and Girls Club, Youth and Family Engagement Specialist
Shelby Wolf
BRIDGE Family Resource Connector Network, Young Adult Navigator