Kearney's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Nebraska’s Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center-Kearney (YRTC-Kearney) earned a 100 percent compliance report from the American Correctional Association (ACA), meeting all 350 of its standards.
“I’m extremely proud of the YRTC-Kearney team’s hard work to ensure this level of compliance,” said Juvenile Services Administrator Mark LaBouchardiere. “This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without their commitment to the youth that the facility serves.”
Originally founded in 1879, YRTC-Kearney offers evidence-based cognitive behavioral, skill-building and substance abuse programming for high-acuity juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18.
Every three years, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) YRTCs are accredited by the ACA per state regulation. On June 5, three ACA auditors visited the YRTC-Kearney to review its 35 mandatory standards and 315 non-mandatory standards. The audit included interviews with a few dozen randomly selected staff and youth to ensure that the policy and procedure of the facility matched its practices. The ACA determined that the YRTC-Kearney complied with all mandatory standards and 312 non-mandatory standards.
On August 12, the YRTC-Kearney and Office of Juvenile Services (OJS) compliance team appealed the three non-compliant standards at an ACA panel in Philadelphia, as the information requested by ACA was archived and not immediately accessible. After providing the necessary information to show compliance, the YRTC-Kearney received a full 100% compliance report.
“The team at YRTC-Kearney has been incredibly dedicated to providing safe, high-quality care,” said Larry Kahl, Chief Operating Officer of DHHS. “The ACA accreditation and 100% score is the outcome of their efforts.”