Collaboration proposed for youth rehabilitation centers

Senators gave first-round approval March 28 to a bill that would promote administrative collaboration at each of the state’s youth rehabilitation and treatment centers (YRTCs).

Currently, the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), through the Office of Juvenile Services (OJS), oversees YRTCs in Kearney and Geneva.

LB972, as originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, would have transferred oversight and control of the centers to the state Department of Correctional Services (DOC).

An Ashford amendment, adopted 37-0, replaces the bill and instead would facilitate collaboration between the Office of Juvenile Services and the Department of Correctional Services in regard to operating YRTCs. Ashford said the DOC should play a role in youth rehabilitation but that OJS should remain the lead agency.

“We’ve looked at the situation and determined that the appropriate agency is the Office of Juvenile Services,” Ashford said. “However, the Department of Correctional Services has the expertise in the area of security and keeping order in a facility with lots of adjudicated youth.”

The bill as amended would authorize DOC to provide training to OJS employees on the safety and security of youth living at YRTCs. OJS would be required to submit an annual status report to the Legislature.

Kearney Sen. Galen Hadley supported the bill, saying it retains the focus on rehabilitation of the youth.

“This is the start to a workable solution,” Hadley said. “We wanted to make sure that those youth that can really be served by going to YRTC are properly served.”

Senators advanced the bill to select file on a 37-0 vote.