Randall Farmer M.Ed.
Treasurer,
NPJS Board of Directors
Leader,
NPJS Education of At-Risk & Delinquent Youth Discipline Group
Lincoln, Nebraska
Randall is the Educational Director of the Lincoln Public Schools Pathfinder Education Program located in the Lancaster County Youth Services Center in Lincoln, NE. He has worked with youth at-risk for 30+ years. His teaching experience includes a variety of settings; an adolescent secure mental health facility, an alternative middle school, and a residential school. He began working at the Lancaster County juvenile detention center in 2002, teaching the first 4 years, then serving as the educational administrator since 2006.
Randall has been actively involved with the National Partnership for Juvenile Services since 2005 as an advisor, board member, and Education Council president. He also serves on a standing committee for the Nebraska Department of Education to improve educational services for youth in out-of-home placements. Randall and his wife Dr. Staples-Farmer also provide professional development trainings on system involved youth for Lincoln Public Schools. Randall regularly speaks to various groups, organizations and webinars in the state, and nationally, about the need for quality educational services for youth at-risk. He has consulted with numerous facility based education programs across the country serving youth-at-risk.
Randall is a lifelong learner, and continually engages others, in the pursuit of the best practices for educating system involved youth, and believes strongly in the motto: “The kids always come first.” — R. Krause
Path Finder Education Program
Lincoln Public Schools / Lancaster County Youth Services
The Lincoln Public Schools Pathfinder Education Program at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center is an NDE Rule 18 accredited school, which provides full educational services to youth in the county facility. LPS supports for the program, include online courses, IT personnel, professional development, curriculum and assessment, and district administrative supports.
The Pathfinder Program offers courses in: Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, eLearning (online classes), Reading, Gender Specific Education, Business and Technology, Art, and Physical Education. In addition, students are provided with remediation services or GED assistance through online classes and individualized instruction. Title 1 Life Skills classes are held in the evenings and on Saturday mornings.
Each student is assessed upon entry and relevant data gathered. All special education information and accommodations are determined and addressed. All students are provided a specific educational plan based upon their individual needs. Regular progress is tracked, and weekly student progress meetings are held to allow for changes in individual plans. Upon leaving the facility credits are awarded and progress information forwarded to parents, school of residence, and new placements. Title 1 transition support services are provided to students before they leave the facility, and upon their return to the community to assist with re-entry into schools and to develop procedures to ensure their academic success.
Educational services are provided following the standard LPS calendar and summer school schedules. The school day is 8am - 1:45 pm. Life Skills is delivered during 4 one-hour classes per week. An extensive library of books and magazines are provided to support the “outside of class” reading program. Each student is provided 2 new books of their own choice to read after discharge. Strong transitional support is provided from intake until a successful return to their next school.
Parental and community engagement are key pieces of our programming philosophy. Keeping parents informed, organizing the student’s path toward graduation, and connecting them to their community are keys to avoiding recidivism.