When families enter the juvenile court system, they’re often navigating more than legal challenges. They may also have mental health or substance use disorders that complicate the process — from attending appointments to complying with court orders to maintaining housing and employment.
In Douglas County, Judge Amy Schuchman created Thrive Court to help these families. Thrive Court is a specialty juvenile court designed to support children and their parents who have mental health disorders in a collaborative, rehabilitative way.
“We all have had training in mental health, but it was a brief, broad overview,” Judge Schuchman said. “Bringing Community Alliance into this effort was a no-brainer to expand and deepen our mental health training.”
Increasing mental health education for Nebraska’s legal professionals
Community Alliance’s behavioral health and education manager, Stacy Ring, LIMHP, and clinical director of psychiatric and counseling services, Jeff Wibel, MSW, LIMHP, developed and presented an eight-session virtual educational series in collaboration with Thrive Court.
The sessions were offered through the Nebraska Bar Association and open to legal professionals statewide. Additional staff members from Community Alliance contributed their expertise, including a peer support specialist from our Safe Harbor program and a representative from our First Episode Psychosis program designed for individuals ages 14-35 who have experienced their first episode. The one-hour sessions cover:
- Mental Health 101: How Mental Health Conditions Develop
- How Trauma Can Impact Mental Health
- Mood Disorders and Thought Disorders
- Substance Use and Co-occurring Disorders
- Evidence-Based Practices in Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Building Healthy Supports
- The Lived Experience of Mental Health Challenges
“Their openness to learning reflects a broader shift in specialty courts across the region,” Stacy said. “Thrive Court recognizes that mental illness and substance use disorders are often chronic conditions. They require sustained, informed responses rather than simple solutions.”
Parents involved in the juvenile system can struggle with depression, anxiety, substance use or psychotic disorders. This affects their ability to comply with court expectations.
“For those who have significant mental health disorders, it’s hard to line up all your services and address court orders,” Judge Schuchman shared. “I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to jump through all these hoops while struggling with mental health.”
Making an impact beyond Thrive Court
At its core, Thrive Court’s mission is to promote dignity and lasting outcomes for families experiencing significant mental health challenges. Community Alliance’s involvement extends that mission by equipping legal professionals with deeper understanding and practical tools.
“The more we use these Community Alliance trainings to engage attorneys, case managers, family support workers and others who may not be in Thrive Court, the more people will be equipped to appropriately work with families when mental health concerns arise,” Judge Schuchman said.
The statewide reach of the virtual series expanded that impact. Legal professionals from across Nebraska attended the live sessions, with one session including more than 150 participants. Despite live opportunities ending in December 2025, the recorded videos continue to grow in viewership.
Positive reception fosters further partnership
Post-program evaluations reflected a 97% satisfaction score. Participants reported the content was relevant to their work and that they would recommend it to colleagues. Some attorneys have already reached out to Community Alliance for consultation on specific cases, applying learnings to their work outside of Thrive Court.
“We now have a new partnership where legal professionals can continue to ask questions, and we can explore how to support them with education,” Jeff said. “And they can refer clients to Community Alliance to help them on their mental health and substance use journeys.”
Community Alliance and Thrive Court are demonstrating what’s possible when behavioral health expertise and the legal system come together. It’s a partnership that strengthens families to build a more resilient community.
“Community Alliance is such a blessing to have here,” Judge Schuchman said. “You can parent with a mental health diagnosis, you just need the support.”
