LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s chief justice says the state is detaining fewer juveniles and providing more with community-based treatment services in an effort to keep them from reoffending.

Justice Michael Heavican highlighted the progress Thursday in his annual State of the Judiciary address to lawmakers. But he warned that rural areas still face a shortage of mental health and substance abuse treatment providers.

Many of the changes came through a law passed in 2013 that allows juveniles to access treatment services without becoming state wards.

Heavican says the state has seen a nearly 12 percent reduction in juveniles detained over the last six months. Out-of-home placements declined by nearly 8 percent during that same period. Heavican says the trend represents a significant step toward keeping youths near their families and support groups.